New Leitrim Design House Supports for women Project
Are you interested in learning new skills, developing new opportunities,or creating additional income opportunities through a programme targeted to women directly affected by the troubles.
The Supports for Women project could be for you
Leitrim Design House Creative Learning Project is targeted at women who have been
Displaced or adversely affected by the legacy of conflict
Marginalised from society
Not benefited from other educational or creative opportunities
Supports for Women is a creative learning project tailored to the needs of women living in County Leitrim to help deal with the issues of trauma and release these issues in a creative way.
Supports for Women is a Leitrim Design House project developed with the support of European Union PEACE 111 funding. The project may appeal especially to women living North of the County whose lives have been affected by the conflict.
The aim of this project is to help women to deal with the effects of the legacy of the conflict and to share their personal stories of trauma in a creative way. It aims to enable women in County Leitrim to learn new skills to develop their creativity and their potential to become employed in a creative way. The Leitrim Design House has been running women’s initiatives for 10 years.
Over 70% of the craft businesses involved with Leitrim Design House are ran by women mainly part time self employed. Supports for Women will involve a tailored personal development programme which will help participants on the project to release the impact of trauma in their lives taking participants on a journey of self discovery, release, learning and action to create new options and reach true potential. It will challenge old negative beliefs and emotions, build self esteem and move participants to positive action. It aims to empower women to create new life and career options and to build their self confidence and self esteem.
A professional counselling service will be offered to participants who feel it necessary during the programme. A series of creative journaling classes built into the project will enable participants to begin their creative process. The journals are a great way to kick start creativity regardless of participants previous experience in art, craft or design. Each Journal will become an autobiographical journey reflecting the reality that all participants are women, wives and mothers living in County Leitrim, impacted by their culture.
The creative process can be a very powerful therapeutic tool in enabling individuals to work through their past and can give confidence and a sense of acknowledgement of the different traumas women have faced. Art, Craft and Design classes will be provided to teach the techniques of textiles, print and mixed media provided by a panel of accredited art and design tutors. Participants will use their new skills to develop a collection of art and craft pieces for exhibition in 2010.
This exhibition Changing Arts and Minds will be launched at Leitrim Design House and will travel to other venues in Ireland. A series of networking opportunities to meet other womens groups cross border and visit galleries in Northern Ireland and will be built into the project. Participants on the project will develop new skills to prepare for setting up their own creative business.
They will also have the opportunity to have their work promoted and sold through the Leitrim Design House. The Supports for Women is a one year part time project July 2009 to September 2010. The project will take place at various venues in County Leitrim including the Dock Arts Centre. Study visits including to Northern Ireland will take place three times over the year.
Ongoing support to the participant will be provided through the project manager as well as advice and support through the trainers and tutors. This project has been funded by the PEACE III Programme through the European Unions European Regional Development Fund which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. For further information and an application form please contact Anna-Marie ORourke, Project Manager, The Leitrim Design House, The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon.Tel 071 96 50533 email annamarie@leitrimdesignhouse.ie. Application forms will be available from community and resource centres throughout County Leitrim
Closing date for applications: 8th of July 2009. Limited places available so apply today.
