Heart N Soul

General information

Heart n Soul is an award-winning creative arts company. We believe in the talents and power of people with learning disabilities. We provide creative spaces for disabled and non-disabled artists and participants to come together and develop and share their ideas.

Our work is about art, training, taking part and sharing.

Our vision is of people with a learning disability living full and equal lives with independence, freedom and pride.

WHAT DO WE DO?

We offer a range of opportunities for people to take part, train in a new skill, or develop their artistic talents. Artists and participants share their work live, recorded or online for as many different people to enjoy as possible.

We make inclusive creative spaces where people are free to express themselves and learn. We encourage experimentation in all things.

KEY ARTISTS include award-winning singer Lizzie Emeh, and live band The Fish Police.

KEY EVENTS include the multi-media club nights The Beautiful Octopus Club, for adults, and Squidz Club for young people.

KEY PROJECTS include Olympic commission the Dean Rodney Singers international digital collaboration, Allsorts – creative arts for adults taking part, Do Your Own Thing – creative arts for young people taking part, People Skills – continuing professional development and SoundLab - an accessible digital music-making project.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Our way of working has grown over twenty-five years of working with people with learning disabilities to make outstanding art and change happen. People with a learning disability are involved in real roles in every part of Heart n Soul. We believe that people are capable of more, and use this as the starting point for all engagement.

We work with partner organisations to achieve our goals so that we may share our vision widely and in a sustainable way.

We reach over 30,000 people per year in live events, creative sessions and online. This is growing every year.

Heart n Soul is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. We receive about a third of our income from Arts Council England. We raise the remainder from ticket sales and other earned income, donations from individuals and grants from charitable trusts and foundations.