Our Arts Council funded project, “…And ‘Other’ Stories”, draws to a close...

In October 2024, we set out to explore, challenge, and reframe traditional stories and their representation of Disabled People. Taking a Social Model approach, we experimented with storytelling, musicking, crafting, and drama to create multi-sensory retellings.

It’s been an incredible journey. Hundreds of people have created original works - songs, poems, sculptures, artworks, radio plays, performances, puppets, soundtracks, films, interviews, blogs, and more. All the work has been shared live and is now catalogued in our “…And ‘Other’ Stories” Archive, which you can access here, as well as through the Folklore Archive.

We’ve strengthened collaborations with existing partners and begun working with new ones. Huge thanks to Folklore Archive, Crediton Arts Centre, Med Theatre Company, Exeter Street Band, Significant Scenes, Philip and Luka, The Deaf Academy, Jacob Geering, and BBC Radio Devon.

Highlights include:

• Broadcasts on BBC Radio
• Our first Crediton Arts Centre show (thank you, Jack!)
• A successful podcast episode with the Folklore Archive (over 3,000 downloads)
• Performances at the Devon County Show and Otterfest
• Engagement with more people than ever before

Did we make a difference? Absolutely. The creative work produced by participants has been phenomenal. We have received lots of lovely feedback from the audiences.

Are we sad to end the project? Not at all! Each project we design and deliver shapes what happens next—and what happens next is always amazing.

The next step on our journey to make equal access a reality starts here. We hope you’ll join us.

When we first launched Another Use, our vision was simple: to take discarded wood, give it a new purpose, and create beautiful, practical items to sell. We were particularly drawn to pallet wood, which is readily available and often carries a story of its own.
Each pallet has travelled somewhere, served a purpose, and offers a chance to be transformed into something new.

What we quickly discovered is that not all pallets are suitable for reuse. There are several important markings to look out for when sourcing pallet wood:

The Turning Tides Project (TTTP) are very pleased to announce they have successfully secured a 3 year grant of £25000/year from Lloyds Bank Foundation to support their work to make Equal Access a reality by demonstrating what happens when you take a Social Model Approach.

Lloyds Bank Foundation is independent charitable foundation funded by Lloyds Banking Group. Lloyds Bank Foundation work in partnership with small and local charities, people and communities, changing lives and working towards a more just and compassionate society.

Through unrestricted funding, support to develop, and influencing policy and practice Lloyds Bank Foundation help small and local charities thrive, communities grow stronger, and people overcome complex issues and barriers so they can transform their lives.
Lloyds Bank Foundation are passionate about the work of small and local charities and communities working towards a better society where people are supported and can thrive.

Jane Williams, Director of TTTP, says “Turning Tide’s success in securing the grant recognises the work that we do to make Equal Access a reality by taking a Social Model Approach. And we are really proud of that. The funding will enable us to continue to: Challenge the structural barriers that prevent people with ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels having equal access to education, work and housing. We will continue investing in developing this community’s capacity to ensure equal access to everything it has to offer and to do so because it is socially just. We will also develop our approach to campaigning to maximise our social impact.”

Let's keep this nice and brief...

We have heard your feedback and agree it is time for a new website.
Something simpler, easier to navigate and maintain, more accessible, more approachable and more 'us'.

This is the start of that... we will keep working behind the scenes to introduce some more accessibilty features.

Equal access takes time - the first step is trying.