INTERPLAY

NEATH PORT TALBOT PERFORMING ARTS PROJECT

The aims of this project are to provide a quality creative leisure opportunity for an integrated group of young people aged 11 to 19, of whom at least one third will have special needs. The catchment area for the project is centred around the Neath Port Talbot area, dependent on transport and interest. This exciting, relatively new project is based on the model of Circus Eruption, a Swansea Based circus project initiated by Interplay and now an independent charity in it's own right.

Principal aims of the project.

To give young people who have special needs a fair share of leisure opportunities.
To give young people from disadvantaged areas a fair share of leisure opportunities.
To promote performing arts as a strategy for community development.
To become a user-led resource that will adapt to meet needs and enhance the potential of the young people to take control of future developments.
To promote the integration of disabled and able bodied youngsters, participating in activities.

BACKGROUND TO PROJECT

The need to set up a project that is accessible to young people with and without special needs in the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot was expressed by workers in education, social services, a number of voluntary groups working within the area of special needs, parents of disabled children as well as integrated groups of young people including young people from the Circus Eruption project.

In the Swansea area Circus Eruption had been running since 1991 with the aim of providing an integrated group of young people aged between 11 and 19 with the opportunity of trying new circus skills, making friends and having fun. An annual show is staged, written and performed by all the young people. Whilst participating in Circus Eruption the youngsters individuals have an opportunity to learn a wide variety of skills namely stilt walking, juggling, acrobatics, roller-ball, similarly promoting the youngsters awareness of integration and knowledge of disability equality. The project in Swansea was a resounding success resulting in a growing need for a similar project to be established in the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot.

After piloting the scheme unsuccessfully in Briton Ferry, the project moved to Sandfields in Port Talbot and attracted a large group of youngsters who took part in variety of arts activities.

Problems with a lack of volunteers halted the project temporally half way through 2000 but the project will resume in 2001.

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