YOUTH CLUB
We have a weekly youth club that runs from our temporary space, The Pippin. We work from this space to build a programme of regular activity, including creative workshops and socials.
PROGRAMME
Our programme has a number of different strands as outlined here. We are a community embedded arts organisation and there are lots of skills to be learnt in creative processes. Some overarching themes for our programming include self-representation, community organising and developing transferable skills that support our confidence and empower us. This work is about long-term sustainability, supporting the development of core and embedded skills for the future of the project and the community.
GREEN
We live in a neighbourhood that for many years has been marginalised – which not only affects the decisions made about people’s lives but also the environment we live, play and work in.
the BUILDING
The Portland Inn Project CIC (PIPCIC) is working towards the renovation of a disused pub building we were successfully given (through the process of Community Asset Transfer) by the council on a 25 year lease.
THE PORTLAND FELLOWSHIP
The Portland Inn Project Fellowship is an alternative education and training programme, aimed at individuals not currently in work, education or training, and/or who experience barriers to educational and employment opportunities, who would like to gain creative skills, learn about social and community arts and expand creative employability skills.
The NEIGHBOURHOOD WORKSHOP
The Neighbourhood Workshop is a street level programme of shared learning to collaboratively build a healthier neighbourhood.
PORTLAND THINKBELT
In Summer 2020 we set about creating a safe outdoor workshop space to embark on our programme to create a visual identity for The Portland Pigeon. This was the first year we delivered The Portland Thinkbelt and it has become one of the most ambitious parts of our programme every year since. A fresh approach to the summer programme, our Thinkbelt is inspired by the progressive thinking of architect Cedric Price – to widen opportunities of access to education. Here we explore many methods of creative activity, collaborating with artists and designers, with diverse practices and approaches to art and learning.
So much can be learnt through creative activity – and as such, the PIPPIN is fast growing into an alternative space for learning. Through the various strands of our programme, we learn lots through creative skills development – and are able to represent ourselves through the work that we make.
We are developing our partnerships with other organisations and schools in the city in order for skills learnt in our neighbourhood to be recognised.
PORTLAND TAKEAWAYS
This project was written with residents in direct response to a high level of food poverty in our neighbourhood, in addition, we wanted to engage with more young people who are teenage and are interested in learning skills associated with cooking and nutrition.
Working with our young people on a healthy meal programme across the year (including holidays), Portland Takeaways is a nutritious riff on Take Away classics. The meals are designed with and overseen by a chef, prepared & cooked with the youth club members, & picked up or delivered to the doors of the households who order them. Youth Members each get a meal too.
Our young people learn key skills from local chefs in food preparation, cooking & nutrition, with an aim for them to share this knowledge at home & making more healthy meals.
S.M.U.T
Singles + Mothers Unite Together. A women’s group for Portland Street – formed in 2020, we wanted to create a women-only gathering in response to a need for our own space to come together, relax, converse and importantly – laugh.
Conversation is such an important part of the project – it is often the inspiration and reason for lots of decisions made on our programme. We listen to each other and come up with ideas and solutions in response to this. As part of SMUT we developed our world famous Potter’s Hand Cream, with Carol Britnell of Ivy Bank Honey Bees. A beautiful product to soften the hands of even the most ardent of potters! We look forward to S.M.U.T growing – and including trips to exciting places.
SOCIALS
We try to have regular socials events. It’s a great way of bringing our neighbourhood together and connecting through a variety of activity that is usually requested by residents. Over the years this has included dancing, DJs, bingo, karaoke, film screenings, bric a brac sales, pamper sessions for mums and lots of buffets. In Summer 2023, we hosted one of our biggest events to date, which was filmed as part of BBC’s Andi Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts. The programme is a brilliant portrayal of our organisation and neighbourhood and can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.
Watch it here