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FIRST AND SECOND WORKSHOPS
BY SPUN GLASS THEATRE
A SPUN GLASS THEATRE PROJECT THAT ORIGINALLY STARTED IN 2011 AS A 10-WEEK PROGRAMME, BUT ENDED UP RUNNING FOR THREE YEARS ACROSS THREE COMMUNITIES IN HASTINGS, EASTBOURNE AND BRIGHTON.
As of December 2023, Spun Glass Theatre are no longer running these weekly workshops, but we are planning an exciting programme of arts activities for very young audiences which we will plan to be more financially sustainable.
Weekly parent and baby groups for 0-18 months.
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We were able to offer FREE spaces to parents under 25, parents on Universal Credit, and single parents. We also offered FREE spaces to Homes First residents in our Eastbourne groups.
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Connection, art, creativity, music, storytelling, friendships and fun are at the heart of First Workshops.
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Parents and babies explored a variety of different creative activities together every week, including song-singing, shadow puppets, music, movement, sensory play, storytelling and much more.
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Each parent and baby attended a term of workshops, giving them the opportunity to see the same faces every week and make strong friendships with other parents.
Throughout the terms, we would work on various artistic projects together as a group, with many artists visiting as guests.
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Weekly parent and toddler groups for 19 months - 3 years.
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We were able to offer FREE spaces to parents under 25, parents on Universal Credit, and single parents. We also offered FREE spaces to Homes First residents in our Eastbourne groups.
Following the popularity of our First Workshops, parents asked us to set up Second Workshops so they wouldn't have to leave once their baby got older! So we started Second, which we ran in Hastings and Brighton.
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Activities were designed to engage children from 19 months - 3 years, but younger siblings were welcome to come along for the ride too!
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Each parent and toddler booked on for a term of workshops, allowing them to see the same faces every week and make strong friendships with other parents.
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TARA'S STORY
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When Tara's daughter Grace was postnatally diagnosed with Down's syndrome, the world was slowly starting to emerge from strict COVID restrictions. All new parents had a challenging time adjusting to life outside their four walls with a newborn, but it was an especially challenging time for Tara.
Read on to learn how First Workshops helped Tara feel supported and connected...
"I absolutely love it! I feel like I’m stimulating my creative brain and having fun with my baby at the same time. Also, no matter how I come in I always leave more relaxed."
"So lovely to go to a baby group which is truly unique and entertaining….the artists have all been amazing and I leave feeling uplifted and positive."
OUR APPROACH
Our First and Second Workshops were run by experienced facilitators who are also local artists and creatives! We would also often have visiting guest artists who bring new ideas and activities to the groups.
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Here you can read about our approach to working with the very youngest and their families:
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