Congratulations to Vamos Central, our Youth Theatre for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities, on the premiere of the group's film, We're Still Here, watched by family and friends on YouTube.
Vamos Central usually meets weekly in person to learn theatre skills (including, of course, full mask), have fun, be playful, and create and share inspiring theatre.
But during the pandemic, this has stopped and many members of Vamos Central have had to stay isolated at home for an extended time because of their vulnerabilities. The group wanted to make a project together that keep them being creative and give a focus through what's been a difficult and scary time for many. In response, we instigated the Vamos Central Online project with the aim of continuing weekly sessions and working together to make the film to reflect participants’ experiences during lockdown.
Despite never having made a film together before, the group have created We’re Still Here, filming themselves (with some help from family and bubbles), with the support of VC lead, Honor Hoskins, and Vamos Theatre’s Digital Manager, Dan Hill. The project showcases the group's many talents, and went down a storm at the premiere. Feedback on the creation and showing of the film was really positive - audiences at the premiere posting comments like:
“Very powerful. captured the isolation and the determination to stay connected.” Julie
“I love your ideas, the way you performed them, the way you communicated with your audience - something amazing that has come out of lock down.” John
"During lockdown, one of the most forgotten groups has been people with a disability. Help has been patchy and intermittent. Keeping this contact and trying out acting and filming online during lockdown has been a real feat. It has been a fantastic way of giving the people concerned a focus, a meaningful experience and something to enjoy. Vamos is making a really valuable contribution to people’s lives." Ian Newman /Rachel King (Parents of participant Ben who has Down’s Syndrome)
Members of Vamos Central said:
"It makes me feel just wonderful...I love it, I just love it" Megan
"It makes me happy pretending to be something different" Tim
"We can tell stories like anyone else" Laura
All 7 participants in Vamos Central took part in 27 hours of rehearsals and filming over a 5-month period. The making of the film was a crucial focus that kept members engaged and continued to challenge them use the arts to reflect their own lives and experiences. It helped to make sense of what they were going through during lockdown and beyond, and positively impacted on their mental health and well-being.
Thank you to everyone who watched the premiere - we're incredibly proud of everyone involved!