Our group ran craft and film workshops with a local children’s special needs group in the IFA Hall in the centre of Enniscorthy.
The group is run by Martina Leacy, an SNA working with St Peters Special School in the town, she is also a dance teacher for the group.
For this project, it was decided to nickname the group ‘The Crafty Dancers’. The 4 students involved (Johanne O’Reilly, Mathilde Debuire, Yvonne Power, Spencer Brownrigg) from SETU in conjunction with Creative Places Enniscorthy, ran a series of 4 workshops with the children.
They made Willow Lanterns and Origami Boxes with decorated Wishing Stones and Shells. A leaflet showcasing the workshops was designed and printed.
Some of the older teenagers were taught how to film and edit a short movie.
The children performed a dance piece with the Lanterns lit, which was recorded as part of an overall film covering the project; both of these films were shown to the children on the last day (there were plenty of giggles as they recognised themselves on the ‘big screen’).
With an emphasis on having fun whilst learning a new skill, it was a very rewarding project to work on for all involved.
