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 mphasis 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.
COOKERY WITH ANDRÉ
Cookery with Andre is a fun, interactive class. We send out the ingredients in advance and our cooks guide everyone throughout.
As its a small class participants can go at their own speed and no one is left behind. Allergies and healthier options a priority.
CUPCAKE DECORATING
A fabulous beginners class to learn all the basic principles of cake decorating. Patience has a love of baking and runs Madeleine’s Cake Boutique in East Sheen. She brings along the deliciously light, fluffy and moist cupcakes and all the ingredients to decorate your cakes. This class is perfect for those wanting to learn the techniques required to decorate their own cakes. At the end of the day you will take home 6 beautifully decorated cupcakes in a pretty designed box also supplied by Patience.
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
Maria is an experienced teacher who specialises in working with people with disabilities. Her classes are for wheelchair users and standing participants. Maria is constantly exploring new ways to deliver truly inclusive workshops and participants find it a great exercise for both the body and mind . Dances are adapted to suit everyone’s ability. Maria makes sure it is not what you can’t do, it’s about what you can do. New techniques are explored by participants who learn and develop new skills, hopefully culminating in a performance at the OSO.
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.
DISCOS AND OUR CHRISTMAS PANTO
DISCO
Have fun and make new friends at the Activity Station Youth Club for young people run by Richmond Mencap.
A relaxed and friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome to come along and join in. This club has exclusive use of the OSO and young people can dance the evening away to all the current tracks at our disco, hang out in the ‘Chill Out’ zone on comfy sofas, chat and play games on the Wii. Alternatively get creative in the art corner and make something to take home.
Everyone can also order delicious light meals, snacks and drinks from the OSO Café.
The Youth Club provides respite for parents, carers and key workers to ‘Drop and Go’ promoting independence and an opportunity for young people with disabilities to express themselves and socialise with people their own age in a fun relaxed environment.
To book this activity, please contact Richmond Mencap direct.
Tel: 020 8744 1923
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.