South Community Assembly
In 2010 we were awarded a contract from South Community Assembly’s Discretionary Budget for six months delivery. This resulted in 34 sessions delivered over 71 hours. 454 young people between 8 – 19 years old took part in the workshops. Overall the project was a success and we overachieved our targets.
"Activity Sheffield have been working partnership with Sheffield Futures and Swamp Circus in order to provide addition activities in the brand new Herdings Youth Club building. For the last 3 weeks the Swamp Circus has enhanced our delivery at this session and they have engaged with approximately 100 children. There sessions have engaged young people who stereotypically would not take part in such an activity and this was great to see. The variety of activities that they brought with them really meant that everyone could have a go and achieve." Rebecca Trevor. South Development Officer. Activity Sheffield
Scouts at Oak Street, manipulating Hats
Diabolo at Lowedges
Flower-stick line at the Grapevine Centre and tightwire at Lowedges
Tightwire demonstration at the Grapevine Centre
Circus Stars Summer Reading Challenge 2011
Swamp Circus was pleased to be part of the National Reading Challenge by providing fun packed workshops for libraries across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. We combined circus skills with storytelling and craft work to bring alive the books on the shelves that the young people were reading. Its an exciting challenge playing with circus equipment in a library but its works and the participants really engaged with the opportunity to do something different in the space. Here's the pdf that we produced to inform libraries about our Circus Stars workshop offering
Sheffield Libraries 2009
Swamp was commissioned to deliver circus theatre workshops in libraries across Sheffield during August 2009.
This project used circus and theatre to help participants to think and feel differently about their relationship with their moving body and how they explored and used the space around them. The activity looked at journeys that are physical and emotional as well as skills based. Circus has a pedigree in children’s literature inspiring creativity and firing an imagination that brings storytelling alive and relates to many of the books found in the library. Circus theatre as an art form expresses stories physically through movement, dance, stunts and the creation of patterns in a way that is not found in the virtual, digital world.
Young People's Participatory Theatre (2007-08)
Find out more about YPPT from the ACE website
This is how the project was initially described
What are the Youth Circus Networks about?
Swamp are delivering Youth Circus projects in three different areas, looking at the differences between them and also the impact of a multi-centred approach on learning and delivery.
One of the three areas has had very little youth circus activity and is an interesting comparison with the other two for this reason.
The main aims of the Youth Circus Networks are to:
- establish and sustain a network of linked Youth Circus Groups in York, Rotherham and Nottingham
- provide regular weekly workshops and high quality, accredited training
- deliver related taster sessions and intensive summer schools, to extend reach
- run after school activities for young people with special needs in Rotherham
- develop apprenticeships to engage young adults in the delivering of circus activities to young people in their community
Here's the Video made for the Arts Council at the start of the project
Youth Circus Networks from artscouncilengland on Vimeo.
The funding for this project ended at the end of October 2008. We ran all three workshops and held a performance of Miss Sarajevo on October 29th 2008 at the Studio Theatre of Rotherham College of Arts and Techology invloving participants from the Rotherham and Nottingham groups of the project.
We were unable to raise funds to continue the York and Nottingham Youth Circuses but we still run Rotherham Youth Circus.
Some photos from the YPPT Project; early workshops at Studio Theatre of Rotherham College of Arts and Techology.
Academy for Community Leadership
2007 - 08 Swamp worked with the Academy for Community Leadership to deliver a programme of workshops and activities.
ActiVate
Some more ActiVate Photos
At the Get In event 2009
Charlie Ledger - one of our full time Interns in 2009 -10
Kids Can Do -
Positive Activities for Young People, Sheffield.
From April 2009 to March 2011 Swamp as part of a Consortium with Eventus and other creative companies in Sheffield, (Action Space Mobile, Art in the Park, Dead Earnest Theatre and Point Blank Theatre Company) delivered a project for 8 - 13 year olds.
The main objective of this Sheffield City Council funded project was the delivery of free, year round, out of school activities to ensure that young people had the opportunity to access provisions which would otherwise be unavailable to them, to give them the opportunity to explore different, fun and creative activities which raise their awareness of the world around them and increase self-confidence.
- In 2009 - 2010 we delivered 221 hours of workshops, programmes and residencies, working with 1922 young people of which 1633 where in the 8 – 13 age bracket.
- In 2010 - 2011 we delivered 216 hours of workshops, programmes and residencies, working with 1939 young people of which 1629 where in the 8 – 13 age bracket.
On the whole the feedback from clients / leaders from host organisations was that they appreciated the quality of our teaching and delivery. Tutors made the learning fun so therefore the young people were enthusiastic and eager to learn. 90% of the Young People were ‘Very Satisfied’ with the workshop according to the evaluation forms.
Teaching circus skills, outdoor workshop, in Ponderosa Park, Sheffield
Act One Drama Group worked with Swamp
for a week to create a Circus Show.
Thanks Act One. You are great!
ActiVate
2008 - 2011. The 3 year ActiVate programme of voluntary opportunities for 16-25 year olds in South Yorkshire successfully came to an end on March 31st 2011. The programme was funded by Vinvolved and offered in partnership with Point Blank Theatre Company. We offered short-term, part-time and full-time placements within both companies, which allowed volunteers to work on exciting art projects, help benefit the local community and improve their C.V.
The outcomes for the 3 year period were:
Short-term volunteers - 209
Part-time volunteers - 116
Full-time volunteers - 11
Total volunteers over 3 year period: 336
We delivered the ActiVate project alongside Point Blank Theatre Company, Sheffield and the whole programme was funded by the national volunteer organisation Vinvolved.
Some ActiVate Photos
Hazel Lam and Simon Scotting
Hazel tests costume and stilts in the office, assisted by Simon
Hazel - Happy stilt-walker
Si Scotting realises his inner Elvis
These kids have hardly heard of Elvis!
Si Scotting rehearses his glo-staff routine
Katie Jones and Hazel Lam stilt double act