What We Do
The nature of our work & how we deliver it
Openstorytellers works within the Third Sector delivering activities and skills based training which complement and extend the services offered in the statutory sector, where the focus, particularly in a tough financial climate, is on meeting basic needs.
Openstorytellers uses the art-form of storytelling to help people to find personal meaning in traditional stories, and so make links between a legend and their own lives. Stories are a valuable resource – stories are fun and interesting; help you to make friends; understand the world and develop your imagination. Openstorytellers provide imaginative, empowering and innovative activities which develop people’s confidence, release potential and which promote inclusion in the community.
We explore, celebrate and challenge the ways in which people with learning and other disabilities are represented in traditional stories.
Overview of Projects
Storysharing
Storysharing is a successful programme developed by Openstorytellers. Storysharing is for people with profound & complex needs to learn how to:
• be included in decision making
• to have their views respected
• develop relationships and social networks
• keep healthy and safe
• contribute to the running of the home
• make a contribution – to the family, the community and the economy
Friends Meet Up
Friends Meet Up is a creative, social club for young people with disabilities; a place for young people to be safe, have fun and make friends. The clubs are currently taking a break for the summer. We will be starting up again in the Autumn term, bigger and better than before!
Friendship course
The Friendship course is a short-programme designed to help people with communication difficulties learn the skills to make strong friendships. Through the course people will develop:
• a network of supportive peers
• the ability to adapt their own needs to the needs of others
• empathy
• skills in managing practical aspects of friendships e.g. planning to meet
• a sense of empowerment and independence from family and carers
• the ability to recognise and manage problems and challenges in friendship; from minor disagreements to the potentially life-threatening situations e.g. abuse, hate-crime and mate-crime.
Bookclubs
Openstorytellers brings classic works of literature to life for people who wouldn’t normally have access to them. Members of the group are introduced to the library and learn how to borrow books, CDs and DVDs. The bookclubs meet for 8 weeks each term to bring the book to life through a multi-sensory experience including artwork, song, drama, smell and textures, and of course storytelling. The bookclubs are available for both verbal and non-verbal people.
Workplace employment training
Through an Arts Council grant for the arts, Openstorytellers is training five people with learning difficulties to learn about, and contribute to, the running of the company.
Our trainees are involved in all aspects of the company to help ensure our company is fully inclusive, with everyone involved in the decision making and delivery of the projects and courses. Our trainees have areas of specialism, from being a trustee on the Board, an artist and illustrator, administrator, information officer and policy researcher.
Training courses for service providers
Openstorytellers runs courses for groups of professionals who would like to know more about our methods which can lead to accreditation. We deliver courses at our base in Somerset or a bespoke service at your centre. Our courses include:
• Storysharing™ introduction (1 day)
• Storysharing™ 2 day (hands on work with course workers with S/PMLDs)
• Storysharing™ Advanced (2 day + mentoring + follow up)
• Multisensory storytelling using world legends (1 day)
• Narrative training for people with learning disabilities with verbal skills
(sign or communication aid use at sentence level)
• In Medical settings (talking to health professionals)
• In Legal settings (talking with police and lawyers)
• ‘Learning to Tell’ community storytelling training for people with learning disabilities
If you would like any information any of our projects, please contact us on 01373 471 171 or email us at info@openstorytellers.org.uk.