The Young Orangery is a weekly after school session for young people with learning and physical differences.
It provides a chance for the young people to let off steam and relax with their friends whilst developing their confidence and independence. The group is a brilliant place for young people to come and be themselves, a place where their voice can really be heard and listened to. By working with song, dance, music and drama the group are able to get express themselves in whatever way they wish.
Since Christmas the group have been looking at identity and worked with a variety of different artists to explore and discover what identity is and what it means to them.
They have looked at themselves and what makes them different... things like physical appearance, the things they like, the people who mean the most to them and the events that have affected their lives and shaped them as individuals.
It's been a really successful theme and the group have produced some fantastic work which was showcased in a performance at Easter. The confidence levels of the group have soared and they are now working together better than they ever have.
Working on the production of a film has really allowed some of the quieter members of the group to shine and it has been great to see the change and development they've experienced both as a group and as individuals.
Currently the group is comprised of members from Northridge School, and they come on a weekly basis to join in the fun and activities the Orangery has to offer. The session runs from 4.30pm – 6.00pm on most Thursdays during term time.
This article was written by Dorothy Miles, a participant from the Art in the House project whilst on work experience at The Point.