An arts-based project to help people with a learning disability or autism stay active and creative throughout the winter has relaunched in County Durham following a successful first launch back in April 2020.
The Creative Couch is a free project for people aged 18 and over with a learning disability or autism living in the County Durham area.
Shared fortnightly from 7 December through to April 2021, activities consist of pre-recorded content that people can join in with, such as dance, drama, singing or arts and crafts. All content is made available online or posted to participants via DVD as approximately 20 per cent of people with a learning disability or who are autistic do not have online access.
The Creative Couch, created as direct result of the first lockdown and relaunched for lockdown 2.0, is run by TIN Arts which runs various project in the North-East, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds to the arts to bringing a range of benefits including the physical and mental wellbeing associated with being active and creative.
The Creative Couch 2.0 is being funded by County Durham Community Foundation as part of their Covid-19 Sustainability Fund.
Martin Wilson, executive director of TIN Arts, said: “The Creative Couch programme is all about reaching out to some of the most vulnerable members of our community at a very difficult time.
“It’s really important we all work together to look after each other and so we are delighted that we are able to continue to offer a chance for people with a learning disability or autism and their families to join with us and be active and creative. The Creative Couch is free for everyone who wants to take part and we encourage anybody with a learning disability or autism to get in touch and sign up now.”
