Hello,
We are Community Focus Inclusive Arts.
We are a cherished Barnet-based charity dedicated to making the arts accessible to everyone. For over 45 years, we have provided vital creative programs to hundreds of local people with additional needs.
Founded in 1978, Community Focus has grown into a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals with disabilities, autism, and additional support needs can explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop essential life skills. Many of our students describe us as “a lifeline,” and we take pride in offering a diverse range of arts and wellbeing workshops that foster both personal and professional growth.
Our weekly activities include an exciting mix of creative arts classes and workshops, designed to inspire, empower, and connect participants.
At the heart of our work is our dedicated and friendly team, who facilitate creative workshops and podcasts, ensuring that our community’s lifeline and voice remains strong. Our team is extensively trained in safeguarding, access needs, mental health awareness, and neurodiverse conditions, allowing us to provide a safe, supportive, and collaborative space for all.
However, to continue our work, we need more money.
🔹 Our Vision: Everyone is an artist.
🔹 Our Purpose: To deliver creative activities that promote well-being and skill development, fostering a welcoming and inclusive community of resilient individuals.
🔹 Our Mission: To reach, encourage, and enable high-quality services, engaging professional artists to provide the best possible experience for our beneficiaries.
With the money, we will be able to:
- Expand Our Community: Provide a platform for diverse and underrepresented voices, ensuring they are heard and valued.
- Develop Student Training Opportunities: Offer leadership roles and training in communication, research, and organisational skills, boosting confidence and employability. Help businesses recognise and harness the untapped talent of individuals with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions.
- Support Parents and Carers: Establish a dedicated platform for parents of disabled children and carers to share experiences, build networks, and advocate for their needs.
- Collaborate with Charities: Strengthen partnerships with organisations such as children’s homes, hospitals, and youth facilities supporting individuals with ADHD or autism. We work with charities such as Mencap, Attitude is Everything, Wellcome Collection, Beautiful Octopus Club, Bubble Club, Scope, Mind, Goods for Good, and Arts Against Knives, among many others, to share resources and support the community.
- Work with Educational Institutions: Partner with Schools & Colleges Special Educational Needs (SEN) teams to provide a safe space for self-expression, extended learning, and creativity for students with additional needs and neurodiverse conditions.
- Enhance Podcast Structure: Introduce a research team to improve content quality, expand reach, and encourage cross-generational discussions where older students mentor younger participants.
- Boost Social Media Presence: Develop student-led initiatives to increase engagement and visibility.
- Connect Storytellers: Partner with community centers and disability influencers, to share compelling narratives.
- Educational Trips and Fact-Finding Missions: Organise structured learning experiences, encouraging participants to document and reflect on their visits, overcoming hurdles and barriers.
- Establish a Community Choir and Develop Our Radio Drama: Build on our successful trial of a community choir, uniting students, parents, and carers through music. Invite music producers to collaborate, fostering self-confidence and aspirations among participants.
We can also be able to:
- Support more young adults (16+) with additional needs, including ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and mental health challenges.
- Facilitate discussions on crucial topics such as identity, acceptance, relationships, employment, and self-esteem.
- Train students in audio production, interview techniques, and research skills, ensuring an accessible and inclusive learning environment.
- Help businesses understand barriers to accessible training and employment.
- Travel across the borough to conduct community interviews, amplifying diverse perspectives.
- Launch a monthly audio newsletter summarising episodes, achievements, and outreach efforts for social media engagement.
Reaching the Unreachable
The demand for platforms like Dis-labled is growing as more young people face isolation and barriers to inclusion upon entering adulthood. Many adults experience funding cuts and employment concerns.
With previous funding, we developed initiatives such as our community choir project, special episodes with local charities, and interviews with key figures like the Mayor and Barnet Asian Women’s Foundation. These projects have brought people together through music and meaningful discussions.
More money will allow us to expand these initiatives, ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, has a voice and a place within the community.
The Impact of Our Work
Dis-labled is more than just a podcast; it is a platform for connection, confidence-building, and community support. Over the past two years, we have produced 36 podcasts, witnessing remarkable growth in our students' communication and social skills. Participants have conducted interviews with local leaders, artists, charities, and businesses, strengthening relationships across Barnet and surrounding areas.
Sample Episodes:
- The Royal Family: Phillip Talks Cerebral Palsy & A Special Poem
- Lost Submarines, Wormholes & Dealing with Grief
- Mayor of Barnet Interview Special: Live from Hendon Town Hall
- A Lost and Found Cat & Autistic Artist, Stephen Wiltshire
- Holiday Special: How We Are Treated, Pavements
- A Choir is Born!
- Autism Diagnosis, New National Days & Shopping
Upcoming Episodes (In Editing & Release Queue):
- Holiday Special: Overcoming Disabilities, Ruby
- Girls Takeover: Work, Disability Masking & Fidgets
In the words of our students :
“ It gives me a voice I desperately need.”
“Having a chance to speak for myself, that’s something I am proud of.”
“The podcast has given me confidence when speaking about my opinions and expressing myself.”
“Being able to share my thoughts and everyone is accepting.”
“I feel safe and happy sharing how I feel.”
Join Us in Making a Difference
With your support, we can continue empowering unheard voices, strengthening connections, and creating lasting change and impact!
Please help our Charity!