Activities in Barnes

CREATIVE ARTS AND COOKERY

ART

The workshops are informal, relaxed and welcoming. No previous art experience or skills necessary, everyone can join in and have fun. The emphasis is on participants gaining confidence whilst creating their own piece of art to take home. All materials are included. If it is an online class we ask carers/parents to send in a photo of the work for our art gallery and facebook page.

COOKING

Cookery is a fun, interactive class. We send out the ingredients in advance and our cooks guide everyone throughout.  Each session is original and often linked to the time of year or a particular celebration, such as Christmas or Easter.

As it’s a small class participants can go at their own speed and no one is left behind. Allergies and healthier options a priority.

POTTERY

This is a fun, sensory class using clay and simple tools to produce a new idea every week.  It is relaxed and very social and everyone likes to participate.

Once the clay is dry participants can paint their piece and a photo goes into our gallery and on our facebook page.  We can provide materials if they are difficult to buy.

 

DRAMA AND DANCE

DRAMA

These fun and friendly theatrical workshops use various methods to bring out the potential in everyone. Participants are given the opportunity to develop valuable social and communication skills through a range of activities whilst gaining in confidence and ability. Each workshop supports and focuses on the individual whilst encouraging group and team work. Special awareness is gained through active, fun routines using interactive resources and equipment.
These sessions are also suitable for people who are non-verbal. The emphasis is on just having fun and inclusion.

DANCE

Our dance teachers are experienced and suitable for both wheelchair users and standing participants. Each session is truly inclusive and participants find it great exercise for both the body and mind. All the dances are adapted to suit everyone’s ability. It is not about what you can’t do, but always about what you can do. New and original techniques are explored by participants who learn and develop new skills.

MUSIC, SINGING AND MOVEMENT

MUSIC AND SINGING

These are fun, interactive sessions featuring many familiar songs including movie tracks. Everyone can join in singing, dancing and using shakers, percussion instruments/drums.

Song requests can be made in advance to give our teachers time to practise. Many of our participants like to hear their requests and names mentioned too.

Our teachers will encourage those that need extra support to get involved, ensuring everyone is included and guaranteed a positive experience.

MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

This lively and high energy class encourages movement to some great popular music tracks.  It is fully inclusive and our wheelchair users give very positive feedback:

 

“I like the music and dancing. I don’t usually like dancing but I do in these classes. It is good exercise too. Very keen on Shereene’s happy & bubbly personality. She smiles lots and has a laugh. She also has done songs that I have suggested.”

DRUMMING

A fun, interactive drumming and percussion session with our experienced music therapist, Edison. Participants learn to engage musically through a variety of methods. Group drumming sessions provide a remarkably effective way to bring people together socially, and for those with social challenges these classes can provide an alternative way to communicate. It has been shown to significantly improve attention whilst having fun. It is also a great way for participants to release energy and reduce stress to become calmer naturally, through both up tempo and calming music. Drums and percussion instruments are provided for both service users and carers if needed.

 

FILM/SENSORY SCREENING

SENSORY SCREENINGS

Films are shown in Screen 2 at the Olympic Cinema in Barnes where you can relax with drinks and snacks on reclining seats in luxurious surroundings. Every film is held as a sensory screening – the lights are on, but dimmed low. There are no adverts. The sound is quieter at the start of the film and gradually increases during the movie, but is still below the standard volume for mainstream audiences. People are free to move around and come in and out. We select movies which appeal to old and young audiences alike, which typically involve music and well known songs. All events are open to people with disabilities of all abilities, their families, additional carers and key workers. Please be careful to select the correct number and type of ticket at the time of booking where 1 carer can go FREE. If you have any suggestions for films that you would like to see, please let us know and ‘Contact Us’ by clicking on the menu bar at the top of the page. Also if you need subtitles, please do let us know in advance.

CHRISTMAS PANTO

PANTO

Every Christmas we offer a specially adapted and inclusive Christmas Panto by the marvellous OSO Panto Players, which takes place at the OSO. This traditional panto is accessible to all ages and includes reduced dialogue, amusing sound effects and songs, lots of interaction and audience participation, and of course brightly coloured sets, props and costumes. The OSO Café is open and serves festive food and drinks.