News

Community Focus (CF) is set to go national with its Social Enterprise..

During a recession, the three sectors which often suffer are charities, the arts and the more vulnerable.

So when a disability- focussed, arts centre which is also a charity looks set to go national, it makes for a feel-good read.

The talents of CF have been spotted by The Social Investment Business, the fastest growing social investor in the UK.

With a £50,000 grant, CF’s investment process has begun –over a 6 month period, CF will roll out their creative programme both locally and regionally.

After September CF will then deliver their service across the nation, with continued investment..

CF provides a high-quality service, using the arts as a dynamic medium for personal development, education, therapy and social interaction.

We offer a broad range of creative practice within the applied and fine arts including drawing, mixed-media, writing workshops, reminiscence projects and animation. CF endeavors to respond to all members of the community including: people experiencing physical, sensory, mental or social challenges; children in mainstream and specialised schools; and people seeking employment. CF also works with retired people from a variety of backgrounds who are keen to develop their artistic practice. CF has achieved its success in active inclusivity by outreaching to isolated groups and using creativity within the arts to give a voice to our diverse society and to promote cohesion. We ensure that our inclusive ethos realises the highest quality artworks from our broad range of clientele.

CF’s tutors are themselves practicing artists and many are graduates of leading art schools including the Royal College of Art, Goldsmiths and Chelsea School of Art, this gives our members excellent quality tuition enabling them to express themselves.

In 1978, Maria Bartha, a practicing professional photographer, realised that disabled community members struggled to use the photographic equipment available at the time. Equipment was therefore adapted for them to create an accessible darkroom. Since these early pioneering days, CF has steadily evolved to become an arts centre for all of the community, offering courses in a wide range of the creative arts.

Tim Balogun was appointed as the director in 2007 and since then the organisation has diversified and expanded to the point where the number of classes offered has tripled. Outreach work has also increased tenfold and we offer bursaries to deaf and disabled artists to complete residencies at our art centre.

CF has always created strong links with individuals, which is exemplified by some of our clients travelling weekly from Yorkshire to attend our classes.

Our research shows that leaders from the statutory sectors including head teachers, prison governors, and health service commissioners want high quality practitioners to strengthen their programs yet finding them can be time consuming. Organisations in the current climate especially require both a practical and flexible provider to work alongside them and with individuals to deliver arts based education which will create wider long-term benefts; CF aims to bridge this gap.

As Alan Johnson once said, ‘Access and participation in the arts are an essential part of our everyday wellbeing and quality of life….’

The next six months will see CF piloting and rolling out the new venture, so if you are a school, prison or even a hospital, you may be interested in our new social enterprise, we can even tailor-make a package just for you. You can visit our website: www.communityfocus.co.uk or speak to CF’s Director Tim Balogun on 0208 369 5481

Community Focus new brochure

To view our new Community Focus brochure and see our exciting new developments please click on the individual pages to see the full size image.

Youth Focus - an exciting new Arts project for Barnet

Are you aged between 10-15 or 16-21.
would you like to develop creative projects such as music - dance tracks and song writing, drama, performance, poetry, animation, painting, creativity and critical writing. we are open to new ideas.

Can you make a difference for young people in Barnet?
To apply contact Caitriona 020 8369 5483 or catriona.dunnett@communityfocus.co.uk

Community Focus, level 2 artsdepot, Tally Ho Corner, 5 Nether Street, London N12 0GA