North London charity boosting confidence and skills through arts
People with learning difficulties and autism will get help getting online and accessing arts and cultural activities, thanks to new funding for a north London charity.
One-To-One Enfield’s Community Arts Hub scheme organises activities such as music, arts and crafts; arranges trips to the theatre and cinema and trains members to help their peers with using digital technology.
The charity, based in Edmonton, says people with learning difficulties often feel excluded from culture and the arts and find it difficult accessing activities or booking events online due to lack of knowledge or equipment.
The project is being funded through a £95,200 grant over two years from City Bridge Trust – the City of London Corporation's charity funder.
A City Bridge Trust spokesperson said:
“Taking part in artistic and cultural activities is a great way for people with learning difficulties and autism to boost their confidence and learn skills to help them make friends and hopefully find work.
“Getting online is essential these days for accessing the arts and for general life, and helping people develop their digital skills is a big focus of this project.”
During the pandemic, One-To-One moved its activities online, including hosting online choir singing and ‘virtual trips’ to locations in London and around the world.
One-To-One Enfield Chief Executive Lesley Walls said:
“This scheme is about combating isolation and ensuring people are not excluded from arts and cultural activities in their area; and ensuring they have the skills to get online.
“We also hope it will help people to feel able to get out and about and do things once again, as a lot of people’s confidence has really suffered during lockdown.”
More information about One-To-One Enfield is at www.one-to-one-enfield.co.uk
The City of London Corporation’s charity funder, City Bridge Trust, is London’s biggest independent grant giver, making grants of over £40 million a year to tackle disadvantage across the capital – www.citybridgetrust.org.uk
Case study
Elizabeth Taoushanis from Winchmore Hill, attends One-To-One activities including choir sessions and quiz nights, and is a member of the charity’s management committee. She will support other people with learning difficulties to use the internet.
She said: “At the start of the pandemic I was lonely and could not get in touch with my friends. One-to-One helped me to use a smart phone and iPad. I joined the WhatsApp group and Zoom meetings.
“I am happy now and good at using my iPad. I want to help other people learn to use smartphones and iPads.”
Picture captions
- Richard Armstrong singing
- Richard singing at home during lockdown
- A One-To-One camping trip
- Music and camping
Notes to editors
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
The City Corporation is the sole trustee of Bridge Houses Estates, a charity founded in 1097 to maintain London Bridge, and Members of its Court of Common Council form the Bridge House Estates Board.
Bridge House Estates is now responsible for maintaining Tower, London, Southwark, Millennium and Blackfriars Bridges, and its grants team, City Bridge Trust – founded in 1995 – gives out over £40 million a year to good causes across the capital – www.citybridgetrust.org.uk
Tim Fletcher | Media officer – public services
City of London Corporation
07738 862229 | tim.fletcher@cityoflondon.gov.uk