Alternative Routes To Success Erasmus Project

Project Title

Alternative Routes To Success

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

Alternative Routes to Success (ARTS)was a creative arts project designed to address the barriers to social and economic participation faced by people who are disadvantaged through disability, mental health issues and/or life limiting health problems. It addressed the lack of confidence, reduced motivation and lack of appropriate qualifications often associated with this group of people. By bringing together best practice from organisations across Europe with a wide range of knowledge and experience in these areas, ARTS explored how the arts can be used to overcome barriers by providing accessible routes to learning and employment based on equality.
The objectives of the project were to:
• give recognition to the achievements of people who are disadvantaged through disability through the development of a framework for a new and innovative accreditation tool which is accessible, relevant, transferable and equal to mainstream qualifications.
• develop the evaluation and self-evaluation techniques required to measure and recognise skill development
• provide training for adult education staff which will improve their skills and competencies
• raise the profile of disadvantaged adults locally regionally and nationally
The project targeted adults who have learning disability, mental health issues and/or life limiting health problems with the learners on the project being the adult educators who work with them.
The project adopted a methodology whereby all participants worked together through a series of creative arts workshops and activities gaining practical experience and knowledge. Learners worked with the groups in their own institutions, exploring and developing the ideas generated. The project involved disadvantaged people at its core and learning processes which grew from an exploration of their differences and experiences.
In order to develop an accreditation framework, we first explored evaluation methodologies that allow people to see what they have learned through creative explorations. The main vehicle for these explorations was the transnational learning activities which took place in each partner country. Each meeting explored a different strand of evaluation and accreditation and involved a combination of seminars, practical creative workshops, skill shops, focused conversation and evaluation.
The project activities have involved 1200 people (of which 489 have special needs) exceeding expectations. This number included 47 learners and 95 disadvantaged adult on the learning teaching training activities.
The project has resulted in:
• A framework for developing an accreditation which recognises the learning disadvantage adults in the arts. The accreditation framework developed is the basis for development of a qualification that is accessible, relevant and equal to mainstream qualifications. The framework has been published on-line, and is available in the languages of all partners through their websites. In UK the framework will be adopted and accredited through One Awards (Open College Network) complementing an approach currently being developed by the organisation to increase their capacity to offer lifelong learning to people.
• A toolkit of resources and techniques available on DVD and online that will offer resources to arts workers, disability workers and others who wish to learn and develop techniques for evaluating and facilitating the self-evaluating, of skills learned through practical arts activity, in such a format they can be measured and recognised.
The project has impacted on a variety of levels:
• enabling disadvantaged adults to be more active both within the partner organisations and within their communities
• creating new opportunities for both learners and staff through the learning of new skills and working practices
• developing the confidence and self-esteem of disadvantaged people, increasing their motivation and understanding of what they can achieve.
• adding value to the existing work of the participating organisations through exploring best practice, inspiring learning and motivating staff and learners.
• challenging preconceptions of disadvantaged people
New approaches have been imbedded in the partner organisations which will in the longer term, through dissemination, cascade through other organisations. In turn this will bring benefits to disability and arts organisations and disadvantaged people, and hopefully influence policy makers.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 236467 Eur

Project Coordinator

Headway Arts & Country: UK

Project Partners

• CONFEDERACION GALEGA DE PERSOAS CON DISCAPACIDADE (COGAMI)
• ANTIGONE KENTRO PLIROFORISIS KAI TEKMIRIOSIS GIA TON RATSISMO TIN OIKOLOGIA TIN EIRINI KAI TI MI VIA ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI ETAIRIA
• Teatro Nucleo S.C.A.R.L.
• Arbetarnas Bildningsförbund
• Medlefors Folkhögskola