TARGET GROUPS
Communities and institutions (e.g. schools, health sectors) facing issues of social and economic exclusion.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK, Australia/New Zealand

COMPANY POLICY
To influence organisations and institutions; using creativity in order to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. The company works within a range of formal and informal learning situations - neighbourhoods, schools, colleges, youth projects.

The full-time staff work closely with partner organisations to determine the objectives of the work and design a creative programme. Heads together therefore accesses the right resources - both people and equipment - to make sure that the project runs smoothly.

The key to the work is to bring creativity to the centre - at the heart of the life of the neighbourhood or the core of the school's curriculum - to achieve creativity with purpose.

SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number of practitioners: 15
Number of participants: 700
Preparation time: 15 hours
Contact time: 150 hours

PERMANENT STAFF
Adrian Sinclair, Creative Director
Linda Strudwick, Development Director
Katy Hayley, Creative Projects Officer
Hannah Verow, Creative Administrator

TOFTS '01 (UK, 2001)
A documentary made in Burmantofts (inner city district, Leeds, UK). The film was about the people in the area who are working to make a difference. TOFTS ’01 was first screened at four outdoor locations in Burmantofts.

The premise: People of all ages can make changes by taking responsibility. There are many stories of people in the community of Burmantofts doing just that. These stories can be told within the community, which leads to a greater understanding and encourages people to take responsibility and be involved in active citizenship.

The process: Heads Together worked closely with a voluntary sector adult education organisation called Learning Partnerships. Learning Partnerships were involved in running a project called Changing Communities, which encourages groups of local people to get together and develop their ideas (e.g. provides funding for a local community café, twinning support groups, etc.).

The issue facing Learning Partnerships was how to truly engage the local community so that they were able to respond to everyday concerns and issues facing this socially excluded community. Following discussions and research with the stakeholders, agencies and residents involved in the area, Heads Together were able to devise a video project with local residents, enabling them to voice their aspirations, achievements and concerns in their neighbourhood.

The screenings of the completed film in the middle of August 2001 were the beginning of some major changes for the local community. The project was successful in getting local people of all ages to come together to recognise that Burmantofts is a special place, and to raise the aspirations of the community.

The Heads Together creative video project helped shape the future neighbourhood strategy for the area and had a particular influence on addressing the youth policy.

One of the direct outcomes following the completion of the Heads Together video project, was the formation of a residents ‘safe roads’ action group which is developing more facilities for children and young people in the neighbourhood.

Zoom Zoom Zillmere
Brisbane City Council has commissioned Heads Together to run an ambitious creative community development project in one of the suburbs of Brisbane. The neighbourhood is home to a multicultural community with a large indigenous aboriginal community.

Heads Together will spend two months in Zillmere, making a film about the place, the people, identity and aspirations. At the end of the project, there will be an outdoor screening. Residents will come, watch and eat popcorn, and the discussions will begin. (Brisbane, Australia, spring 2003)

Linda Strudwick
Heads Together Productions Ltd
The Chapel
17 Old Leeds Road
Huddersfield HD1 1SG

T +44 (0) 1484 423 283 / 0870 990 5261
F +44 (0)870 0553627

E adrian@headstogether.org
W www.headstogether.org

“It was an honour to work in partnership with an organisation that has such passion and commitment.”
Paula Marsden, Learning Partnerships, Changing Communities officer

“Absolutely perfect. I watched with a tear in my eye.”
Chris Miller, Burmantofts resident, on TOFTS ’01 (UK, 2001)

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