Residents at Cabrini House, Diagrama’s home for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington received some professional art classes recently when artist Maria Whatling joined us for several sessions - and the results were truly impressive.

Maria is an art teacher at a Medway School and she spent her time at Cabrini House working with several groups of residents trying out a wide variety of simple but effective techniques to achieve different effects with paint, drawing and sculpture. She also provided some inspirational new ideas for our staff to try out in the future.

Maria’s art sessions helped to build up individual confidence and develop fine motor skills. And we found residents who are usually more reserved when it comes to art activities discover a passion for particular techniques.

The art sessions have formed part of the GALA European project, through which Diagrama Foundation has partnered with four other countries to create new cultural inclusion activities for vulnerable people by training staff and volunteers in Gentle Learning techniques developed by Groep Ubuntu in Belgium. Groep Ubuntu is renowned for excellent professional practice in communicating, motivating and empowering disadvantaged people.

We look forward to developing these sessions further and will be using our learning to create artworks for display at the GALA European exhibition, to be held at Rochester Cathedral Crypt from June 13 to 20.