TAS Totnes Support a garden-based arts project

The Breakthrough Transformation Trust in South Devon is a charity that provides alternative provision for school age children as well as being a specialist post 16 college.

Many of their children and young people have found mainstream education difficult because of their special educational needs and disabilities such as autism, school phobia and ADHD.

We helped fund a garden-based arts project. They came up with two ideas: project one was to design and build a totem pole and project two was to restyle the summerhouse which is used as a therapy centre. It was felt that the summerhouse project was a little easier to begin with, so they started to pool ideas.

Using the Finnish Design House Marimekko as inspiration, they worked on simple two-tone colour designs based on the flowers that they grew in their garden.

The students planned the project, working out what they would need and how to involve students of all different abilities.

They painted the summerhouse and then applied the designs to the outside walls.

The money we gave the project bought sketchbooks, pencils, inks and paint, wool and cardboard. It has increased the amount of art resources available, so they now have a dedicated art area. The Trust's aim is to encourage students to see art in a different light, to break down barriers and allow students to enjoy art as a therapeutic tool as well as being fun and experimental.

Their long term aim is to encourage more students to take an art based qualification.

On our visit to their premises we met the staff and were shown the work they are doing with the new materials. The art teacher showed us sketchbooks made by students who were studying for BTech qualifications, as well as those of A level and GCSE students.

We hope to fund them again next year. Maybe they will feel more confident and make the totem pole!

Carol Robinson