Kre8Hope Stepping Stones to Art

The Stepping Stones pathway has been operating for over a year and continues to grow from strength to strength. Over the past year we have successfully run 7 six week courses, increased student numbers from 6 to 20 weekly participants, involved 6 local tutors and now have 4 regular volunteers who assist in classes. While we are still in a fledgling state the future of the course is looking healthy and promising with all involved seeing the benefits that students are gaining from being involved.

One of the most important and yet hardest to record factually is the friendship and comradery that is felt amongst the students who attend the Stepping Stones classes. Student’s complete feedback forms at the end of each 6 week course and a constant point raised is that the Stepping Stones to Art course has made them feel a part of a community of like minded people in similar situations. For many people in the Whangarei area there is a potential for isolation, especially those with disabilities. Barriers often around transport, availability of recourses, accessibility and limited inclusive opportunities in the arts sector result in some people feeling alone and segregated. On the course there are people with a range of physical, emotional and mental disabilities but they all find within the course friendship and support. This is an element of the course that was not originally intended but has been embraced as a very important feature of the courses - classes now offer time for students to mingle, chat and get to know each other.

Classes
Thursday mornings 10 - 12.30
Workshops run in 6 week blocks (one class a week)