Introduction
Being creative is a way to express yourself in a way that feels comfortable for you.
You can be creative in many ways. Below are some ideas and places to find fun, accessible activities. Check our SEND events calendar for accessible art and craft activities.
Music
Sound Foundation Somerset (SFS) helps all children and young people enjoy music, no matter their background or needs. They offer:
- Music lessons and activities
- Support for personal musical journeys
- High quality, positive musical experiences.
They work with mainstream schools, special schools, and other settings such as resource bases. They also help young people who are not in school or work, and young carers. Look for music opportunities by searching Hear it Sing it Play it.
Help with costs
- Take It Away provides interest free loans to buy musical instruments and equipment.
- Drake Music supports deaf and disabled artists.
- The Amber Trust shares free music ideas for children and young people with vision impairment.
- Other funding and bursary support
Art
Art is for everyone! You can use many materials to make art. Check out Disability Arts Online to examples.
Try at home using YouTube videos like:
The RNIBalso has information and tips for exploring creative activities with sight loss. Living Paintings talk about how to explore art galleries with a visual impairment.
UK Mouth and Foot Painting Artists have ‘learn to paint’ videos, to help you learn painting without using your hands.
Digital art
Digital art is easy to start. You can use a computer, tablet, or phone. If you make a mistake, you can just press “undo.”
Krita is free software for both android tablets and PC. It contains everything a beginner artist might need.
Blender is a free and open-source 3D computer graphics software tool set used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D-printed models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications, and virtual reality.
Pottery
The video below of supported employees at the Banwell Pottery studio describes some of the steps involved in pottery.
You can try pottery at home with kits from Creative Clay for All.
Film and Photography
The Engine Room is an accessible community media centre. They’ve run sessions for autistic young people and welcome disabled applicants to the BFI Film Academy. There is a desire to put first people that are under-represented in the film industry workforce. Money is available to help with travel and care or support costs.
Children’s World runs workshops for children of all abilities using drama, music, and video.
Disabled Photographers’ Society has tips and tools to help you adapt your camera to your needs.