Autism Awareness in Your Arts and Cultural Organisation
Forest Forge is presenting a one-day training session on autism awareness and how to apply this knowledge in your arts and cultural organisation. This session is intended for arts centres, theatre companies, libraries, museums and people who work within any other arts or cultural organisation; for both front line staff and management.
This training aims to provide real and practical guidance on how to make your arts or cultural organisation even more welcoming and accessible for those on the autistic spectrum. The focus will be on enabling the organisation to adapt to the needs of those with autism, rather than expecting the individual to change.The ultimate goal is to ensure autism is not a barrier to experiencing and enjoying arts and culture.
After training, you will have:
- A wider awareness and understanding of autism
- Practical knowledge of how to ensure your organisation is even more accessible for people on the autistic spectrum
- A full information pack and access to post-training downloads and reference material, to help support ongoing staff development
There are two separate dates available:
- Thursday 21 March at Forest Forge Theatre Centre in Ringwood
- Tuesday 30 April at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke.
The cost, per day (including refreshments and a light lunch):
- £55 full price for non-Hampshire based organisations
- £39 for Hampshire County Council funded organisations or organisations that offer and/or plan to offer activities as part of Hampshire’s Short Breaks Programme
This training is delivered by Forest Forge, with funding from Hampshire County Council in association with the Short Breaks programme.
Forest Forge and Autism
Forest Forge is currently involved in a series of projects, both professional and community based, exploring the issues around autism and its effect on individuals, their families and communities.
Forest Forge’s Autism related projects include:
- A partnership with The Mayflower Theatre and Hampshire Autistic Society in Southampton for the presentation of the first relaxed performance of a commercial pantomime outside of London
- Drama workshops for children with autism and their siblings
- Relaxed performances of Forest Forge productions
- INSET training focusing on drama and autism for teachers in Hampshire
- A new national tour of The Boy at the Edge of the Room by Richard Conlon, based on the 1882 tale ‘Wooden Tony’, featuring a character who displays many of the classic traits of someone on the autistic spectrum
The Hampshire Short Breaks programme
Short Breaks works with organisations to support them to be inclusive in their approach. It enables children and young people with disabilities and/or additional needs to join in with safe, fun and interesting activities and also gives parents or full-time carers an opportunity to have a short break from caring. To find out how to make your organisation even more inclusive, please go to: www.hants.gov.uk/shortbreaks
Please visit www.forestforge.co.uk/creative-learning/autism-awareness to book your place.
For more information, please email jemma@foresforge.co.uk or call 01425 470 188