So from emailing the creative engagement manager at the West Yorkshire play house, she say that unfortunately that the schedule is full however she forwarded my details onto the Refugee Council who have a office in Leeds. Their response was that the project sounds really interesting and that it would be worth a meeting. So I had a meeting today with the manager (Richard) and a support worker for families (David). The meeting was around 20-30 minutes long.
I started off the meeting by explaining the project and the aims the processes I intend to use. The first point addressed was where could the workshops be held. In the building where the offices that activity room has just be redecorated and re furbished so its not possible to use that room. So they suggested that I could run the workshops from the University. Therefore I need to find out weather it would be possible for them to take place in a room here? Also some of the individuals struggle coming to new places. Therefore if the project goes ahead pre visits for those who feel apprehensive would have to be organised
The second point is language barriers. Most of the individuals that they help sadly speak very little English and therefore would struggle to understand the different instructions for the tasks. But there is one way round this. Some of them have English tutors who could potentially come and help translator , but also give support to the clients.
Because the organisation has changed from somewhere that runs creative classes on a regular basis to somewhere that in more of an office based environment that doesn't have facilities to run projects, it some make it more difficult to arrange somewhere where we can all meet to carry out the workshop. Also a more business like approach needs to be adapted, for example it was suggested a Budget. I did say originally that I am more than willing to pay for materials but with not having a regular place that they already attend , travel costs are going to have to be taken into consideration as well. Depending on the numbers it could get very expensive and unaffordable on my own. So I need to find a way everyone can get together with out it costing too much.
I agreed to a minimum of a fmaily of 5 and a maxim of 10. A wide range of people , families with small children aged 5+. Although, after the conversation about budget and facilities it may be easier to do the project with one or two families and for me to go to them somehow?
In addition , due to some of the individuals having very hectic lives , what happens if they can only attend one session? I will need to make some mini tasks that can run with the main task so if they can only make it to one session they have something physical to take home at the end. But also if any work is left I can pass it onto the office and they can give it to them.
Also the main focal point of the project is going to be about aspirations and what they would like to achieve. It is a much more positive approach rather then focusing on a past that has been extremely damaging to a lot of people.
Overall I think that the meeting has given me a lot to think about and has made me question whether I have been a bit too ambitious. The project proposal is now going to need adjusting and to fit with the new organisation and I need to see how feasible it is to use rooms at the college. It may be worth also thinking about other paths I could go down and how I could still do the project but with one or two families rather than 5. I also suggested that I try and get in touch with external people who would be willing to show the work for example a window display , but this idea may no happen depending on how the rest of the planning goes.
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