Northern Rock Foundation puts disabled people centre stage
A North East theatre company, run by and for people with learning disabilities, has received a grant of almost £80,000 from the Northern Rock Foundation.
The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company, at Swinburne Street, Gateshead, runs a wide programme of events and activities, from workshops to theatrical productions, in which learning disabled company members research, devise and create performances and workshops taking their work to a wide range of audiences.
Along with its work in the North East, the Company also takes its shows on tour giving people with learning disabilities the opportunity to work locally, nationally and internationally. The company is currently working with Brazilian partners to produce a series of events celebrating the cultures of both North East England and North East Brazil. This project, `Boomba Down the Tyne` has been commissioned by the Unlimited programme, part of London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
Its grant, of £79,452, which will be awarded over three years, will contribute to the running costs of the Company, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.
Geraldine Ling, Artistic Director at the Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company, said: “We are thrilled to be given this award. Northern Rock Foundation has been a great support to us over the years and this grant will really help us to move forward. The Company has 23 core members and when they take their work into the community they are great role models, their leadership proves to be a real inspiration to other people with disabilities.”
The grant was one of 15 grants, totalling more than £1m, given by the Northern Rock Foundation to charitable organisations in its latest round of awards.
Penny Wilkinson, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: “People with learning disabilities are often seen as people with a disability first and may not be seen as people with skills and talents. This theatre company challenges those stereotypes and provides powerful role models for people with learning disabilities”
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