13 Jul Local drama group to host performance in Colchester’s ruined Abbey
A Colchester-based drama group for adults with learning disabilities will be showcasing their talents at an event to be held among the historic Priory Church ruins in the grounds of St Botolph’s Colchester.
ECLs Crafty Drama’s Picnic in the Priory event will take place on the 23rd of July 2022. This free community event is held annually by the group. It is open to everyone in the community who would like to attend including other local organisations who would like to promote their services.
ECL Crafty Drama will be performing a selection of routines to popular music form artists such as Little Mix, Ed Sheeran, and the Spice Girls, as well as favourites from musical films such as The Greatest Showman.
Taleena Goody, Service Manager, ECL Woodlands Day Opportunities said: “We’re really excited to be holding our Picnic in the Priory event again this year. The group has some great routines that they are very much looking forward to sharing with everyone. They’ve been working hard on these routines since the beginning of the year and it’s great seeing the group improve over months of practise. It’s wonderful to see their confidence grow.”
ECL Crafty Drama is an entirely inclusive drama group which gives adults with learning disabilities the chance to learn social, communication, motor, and life skills through the use of sign language, music, dance, and drama.
The group was recently a finalist at the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards in the ‘People’s Award’ category. While they did not win, they did receive a special commendation from the judges and were awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in their category for making a difference to the lives of the customers that they support.
Crafty Drama customer Kiara comes to the group every Tuesday, speaking about what she likes most about the group she said: “I love coming to Crafty Drama, I like signing and music the most.”
Kiara’s mother, Susan said: “Kiara is quite shy but since coming to the group her confidence has really grown. I’m so glad we found Crafty Drama, Kiara thoroughly enjoys it and it’s been so good for her personal development. She loves the routines where they sign to music, she really has the opportunity to express herself and you can see the joy on her face every time she performs. Kiara is so excited about performing at this year’s Picnic in the Priory – she talks about it all the time! She enjoys the atmosphere of performing at a community event, she gets a real buzz from it. She loves that people get enjoyment from watching routines that they have put together, it’s a real achievement for them all.”
Crafty Drama sessions are held daily Monday to Friday, customers are welcome to attend on specific days or come for a full week. The group is held in the church hall at St Botolph’s church Monday to Thursday and on a Friday takes place at ECL Colchester – Woodlands Day Centre.
For more information about ECL Crafty Drama visit ecl.org/drama-colchester
