Clowning around at workshop

In your space outreach program brings circus to specific groups that would benefit from tailored circus activity. Engaging in circus skills has been found to promote development in areas such as balance, hand-eye coordination, spacial awareness, team work, social inclusion, lateral thinking, confidence and creativity. Our session comprised of group games and warm up exercises, introduction into basic circus skills (juggling, unicycle, stilts, etc) and then specialist tuition on a chosen skill.

A spokesperson from Empower Project said: “The circus session was great fun and enjoyable with the kids asking could they come back next week again to do it all again. Two sessions took place from 4-5pm and 5-6pm with 23 kids taking part.

Janice McCrory and her son Christopher said “I just wanted to say thank you for organising the circus skills activity yesterday, my son had a great time and now wants to buy a spinning plate set.”

The Empower project is a 5 year Big lottery funded initiative to support young people under 12, with Autism, Dyslexia or Dyspraxia, their parents and the wider family circle.

The project works in partnership with local organisations to address needs that they identify to support parents and children in their local area. The project is led by Local community group (DADS) Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Support who are the lead partner, who are supported by a project steering group which incorporates: Northern Regional College, Magherafelt Learning Partnership, Mid Ulster District Council, CWSAN (Cookstown & Western Shores Area Network), Moving Forward Together (MFT), Stars - Autism support group, Education Authority, Magherafelt and Cookstown Volunteer Centre, CYPSP (Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership).