Paid CPD opportunity

An Invitation

We want to develop a specialist workforce that is empathic, multiskilled and proactive in their advocacy and commitment to creating arts experiences for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
We want a workforce that reflects the diversity of women and children in refuge and that sensitively caters to their needs and engages them in exciting, ambitious arts experiences. This is a paid training opportunity to help us get there.

Do you want to work with victims of domestic abuse?
Are you able to work in refuges?
Are you open to extending your practice?
Are you willing to come on a learning journey?

“I delivered my first session in a refuge 15 years ago. Although I was a qualified art teacher who had experience delivering participatory arts sessions in various settings, it became very clear to me that working in refuges and with participants with specific complex needs required different skills, approach, attitude, and expertise. Through the years I have developed my practice to become a practitioner in this setting, which has been a blend of specific training and knowledge, practical experiences and self-awareness. Many years on, at Platform Thirty1, with specialist freelance professionals we have designed and developed programmes with victims that serve the differences we want to make with and for participants. This opportunity has been specifically curated to triangulate the input
needs of practitioners to ‘fast track’ and prepare a growing workforce to work in domestic abuse refuge settings with victims of abuse, through creativity. We’re dedicated to extending and growing our existing pool of creative practitioners and potential practitioners, in turn extending and growing our offer to reach more victims of domestic abuse”

Jodie Cresswell-Waring
Co-Director, Platform Thirty1

About Platform Thirty1 & Associates

We specialise in enabling others to cultivate social change through artistic practice, cultural endeavour and creativity. We are interested in changing the balance of
power and agency through a co-created approach, with partners and participants. Our three core strands of work are:

Sector Development: predominately in the arts, supporting creative professionals
Refuges: predominately women and children who are victims of domestic abuse
Community: predominately in ex-industrial places in the east midlands

The associates delivering this programme with us have cross-sector experience, working in education, community, social and creative and will be cross-pollinating their knowledge, lived experience and seasoned practice.

Our Work Within Domestic Abuse Services

Since 2015 we have built and delivered projects and programmes for victims of domestic abuse across sites in Derbyshire, Leicester and Leicestershire and recently
in Nottingham. Most of these projects have been delivered in communal spaces in shared temporary accommodation. Projects run concurrently and currently we work in 5 different refuges each week, most weeks of the year. Here are some examples:
BraveART: After-school creative sessions in refuges. We aim for children to 1) grow their sense of self, 2) grow relationships with others and 3) have access to creative and cultural activity.
Arty Parties: Children get creative in the refuge during the school holidays. Sessions focus on working together to have fun and take part in a seasonal activity, EG crafting gingerbread houses at Christmas time.
At The Kitchen Table: Sessions for women based at the kitchen table. Creative activities to support women’s well-being and skill development, with embedded
opportunities to co-design with Artists.
Changing Rooms: Residents work with creatives to transform communal living spaces. We have created circus-themed sensory rooms, made chill-out spaces in sheds and added glam and charm to living rooms through textile projects.
The Art Of Escapism: Artist residencies that work with residents to explore ‘the art of escapism through creativity’. Previous themes led to far-away places like India and the rainforest. Artworks are exhibited in public spaces before being installed in refuge for existing and future residents to enjoy.
Art Packs: During the pandemic, we devised art packs to reach participants. We designed packs for mummies and tots, children and young people and women. Packs continue to welcome families to their temporary accommodation and reach those living in community settings.

Our Participants

We work with women and children who have fled their homes after experiencing domestic abuse and are currently living temporarily in refuge. Many arrive with only the belongings in their pockets and because of their experience, they may experience mental health, emotional, physical, social and financial difficulties. Although they are now in a safe setting physically they often find themselves in difficult terrain. Many are isolated from previous support networks whilst living in shared accommodation with other women and children, each on their own journeys.

Delivery Roles

Our programmes are designed around bespoke Platform Thirty1 delivery models. We contract practitioners (artists/ facilitators) to inject creativity into our delivery
structures and set partnerships. Our in-person delivery model relies on a team of a Lead Creative and a Creative Facilitator. Creative Leads are responsible for the creative integrity of planning and delivery sessions. Usually, they have a background in leading art workshops/ creative education/ community arts and are qualified to a degree level and a PGCE/ teaching qualification is desired. Due to the niche nature of this work, to date, most of the Creative Leads first join us as Creative Facilitators.

Creative Facilitators are responsible for supporting Creative Leads in delivery and for participants to engage. They are socially aware creatures and emerging lead professionals. They have experience with personal and social needs, with a background in working with hard-to-reach groups or in community settings. We have had many Creative Leads opt into this role too, so they can work on the programme but not always lead.

Creative Lead:

“I am so lucky to do what I do; to inspire creativity in others so that they become more confident and powerful. I can see this in every session; women are amazed at what they have made and have a go despite their doubts. Realising they can and will achieve these goals. Then going on to accomplish more”

Creative Facilitators:

“Some of the creative activities are new to me as well as to the other women. It’s lovely to build relationships with everyone as we learn new skills together”

“Small things like making sure that there is enough tea, snacks or a conversation rolling creates the atmosphere where people feel safe. Being a facilitator in a woman’s organisation like Platform Thirty1 has helped me look at things from a more empathetic and personal angle. I admire all the support and involvement that the organisation has offered to me and other women. Unfortunately, there is a growing demand for support for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. This
community is isolated, rightly invisible for a time, and supported by statutory services that meet basic needs, such as housing and criminal proceedings. There is a significant need for a workforce that can develop positive outcomes with individuals through holistic and creative experiences. Our delivery is growing; our projects have quadrupled in volume due to demand and success since 2021. We know our work is valued and we need to prepare and nurture a larger workforce to respond to this need.

Why Developing This Workforce Is Important

Unfortunately, there is a growing demand for support for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. This community is isolated, rightly invisible for a time, and supported by statutory services that meet basic needs, such as housing and criminal proceedings. There is a significant need for a workforce that can develop positive outcomes with individuals through holistic and creative experiences. Our delivery is growing; our projects have quadrupled in volume due to demand and success since 2021. We know our work is valued and we need to prepare and nurture a larger workforce to respond to this need.

T H E C O M M I T M E N T

A maximum of two sessions per month between April and November 2023.

In-person sessions will be at:

NONSUCH STUDIOS
92 LOWER PARLIAMENT STREET
NOTTINGHAM
NG1 1EH.

We know taking time for professional development is often a financial decision for freelancers. We offer £75 per session to carve out the space and time in your schedule. If you are deaf or disabled, neurodivergent, experience learning difficulties, or have a mental health condition and/or a long-term health condition there may be extra costs you incur to take part. These expenses can be fully covered by us, for example, if we need a BSL interpreter, a notetaker or a travel companion. We don’t need any proof of your access needs to cover your costs. Please let us know if we can cover any additional costs for you.

T H E S E S S I O N S

1 – WELCOME & INTRO SESSION
MEET AND HEAR FROM OUR PROJECTS FOUNDER AND PROJECT
MANAGER. GET SETTLED AND STRAPPED IN FOR EMBARKING ON THE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WITH YOUR NEW PEERS 😀

2 – A JOURNEY TO REFUGE
CONTEXT ON A VICTIM’S TIME BEFORE ARRIVING
AT REFUGE AND WHAT, HOW AND WHO CAN BE INVOLVED

3 – EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
PART 1: BIAS HIDES IN OPEN MINDS

4 – EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
PART 2: HOW TO BE AN INCLUSIVE CHANGE
MAKER

5 – THE POWER OF OCCUPATION
AN INSIGHT INTO HEALING AND ENGAGEMENT THROUGH
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

6 – THE GREY
THIS IS A HONEST SESSION EXPLORING WHAT CURRENTLY FEELS  ‘GREY’ IN
SAFEGUARDING

7 – AWE AND WONDER ‘OOOOH AHHH…’
EXPLORING HOW PRACTITIONERS HEIGHTEN EXPERIENCES, ENGAGEMENT AND
POTENTIAL CREATIVELY

8 – KITCHEN TABLE CREATIVES
YOU GET TO DELIVER MICRO SESSIONS TO YOUR PEERS TO SHARE
IDEAS AND PRACTICE

9 – TBC!
LET’S SEE WHAT YOU WANT, NEED OR ARE INTERESTED IN FOR
THIS SESSION!

10 – AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
COME TOGETHER TO DWELL AND REFLECT CREATIVELY – EXPECT
HOT CHOCOLATE & MARSHMALLOWS!

T H E T I M E T A B L E

All sessions will take place from 10 am until 1 pm. In Person sessions will happen at Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham. Online sessions will happen via Zoom.

DATE                                    SESSION                                                          HOW
Mon 17th April                    Welcome & Intro Session                             Online
Thurs 27th April                 A Journey to Refuge                                      In Person
Thurs 4th May                    Part 1: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion   In Person
Thurs 18th May                  Part 2: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion  In Person
Thurs 15th June                The Power of Occupation                              In Person
Thurs 13th July                  The Grey                                                          Online
Thurs 14th Sept                  Awe & Wonder                                                In Person
Thurs 28th Sept                Kitchen Table Creatives                                In Person
Thurs 12th Oct                  TBC                                                                    In Person
Thurs 19th Oct                  Around the Campfire                                    In Person

£ 7 5 P E R  S E S S I O N  P E R  P E R S O N  I S  A V A I L A B L E  ( £ 7 5 0 M A X I M U M ).  P A Y M E N T S  A R E  T O  B E  I N V O I C E D  A N D  W I L L  B E
P A I D  V I A  B A N K  T R A N S F E R  A  M O N T H  I N  A R R E A R S .  O C C A S I O N A L L Y  S E S S I O N  L E A D S  M A Y  A S K  Y O U  T O  C O M P L E T E  H O M E W O R K . W E  M A Y  A L S O  O F F E R  T O  P A Y  F O R  A D D I T I O N A L   E – L E A R N I N G  C O U R S E S  W H I C H  W I L L  B E  O P T I O N A L  T O   O P T   I N T O  I F  Y O U  D E S I R E.

E L I G I B I L I T Y & E X P E C T A T I O N S

We are looking for 18 women who believe in the power of arts and creativity and will:

Have a belief in participatory arts as a holistic approach
Be committed to creating a balance of power and developing agency within disenfranchised and vulnerable groups
Have the desire to support positive change through the vehicle of creativity
Hold an ambition to deliver/ develop/ devise creative sessions/ packs for victims of domestic abuse
Want to work in domestic abuse settings
Hold an interest in building on their existing self-awareness and openness to self-reflection
Have the willingness to learn in new group learning environments
Have an existing commitment to their personal and professional development
Like the idea of collaborating/ delivering with us in the future to work on our domestic abuse projects in the East Midlands

Please Note:
We will prioritise applicants that are global majority*, from working-class backgrounds** and/ or living in lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods, and everyone is welcome to apply. To have a well-rounded knowledge and make the most of this paid professional development opportunity, applicants should be intent on attending all sessions. Therefore, we will also prioritise those who can commit to 80% of application sessions. In addition, there will be up to 3 x 1-hour check-in
sessions on Zoom with us and peers throughout the programme you will need to attend – these will not be paid and primarily serve to support you whilst accessing the programme. Dates for these are TBC with you at times that suit.

*Global majority refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage
**By working-class background we mean growing up in a household with adults in low-skilled/physical jobs without professional training/qualifications, and may not have owned any property

H O W T O A P P L Y

Please complete the short online form here Or send us the info via video or audio: Instagram videos, messaging apps on 07368 575822, or email stef@platformthirty1.com.
In addition, we ask for your most recent CV (if you don’t have one handy) to give us a sense of your experience – IE roles and settings – in a short paragraph instead.
If you have any questions about the programme ahead of applying please contact: stef@platformthirty1.com

Shortlisted applicants will have a phone conversation with us (20 minutes max) in early March.