Previous work projects

Introduction 

The alison project has been operational on the Brookfield estate since 1994 and working from the Soundskills building since 2002. Our desire has been to render creativity as an intrinsic part of the solution to developing a better quality of life for people in the local area.

‘Creative community development’ is our way of ensuring that while we use creative processes and often produce creative product, the number one value that we hold is that we are in service to local people and people are way more important than art. Here is a taste of some of the local projects and further afield commissions that we have undertaken.

Kind Souls evaluation film
In progress - we are working in Nelson with a group of muslim women to celebrate the body of work that they had already carried out and look at where they wanted to head going forwards. We have done this through a series of creative workshops and filming content sessions. The film will be used to promote the work and encourage more people to get involved. So far sessions have included photography, charcoal drawing, pencil drawing, animation and filmmaking.
Toolkit
In progress - this is a commission for Lancaster University where we are developing a toolkit for doing creative evaluation group work (a great deal of these methodologies & practices, we apply to all of our group & individual development work). The toolkit will be a distillation of our basic principles and approach and subtle techniques that we incorporate within our work. Featuring thoughts about how to encourage creative confidence and engage with people who feel they aren’t creative at all.
YourMap
Creation of a 'local assets' tool for Preston. Documenting assets as seen by local people in their ward - assets created by local people for local people - the work included development of a website and support to develop an app made by NewsSocial. The idea behind the online facility is to promote & celebrate local grassroots activity but also to enable more cooperative ways of working across the city.
Social Improvisation Funnel
A live music event for the Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival featuring local musicians and Aziz Ibrahim. Quality is a key word in our work. We utilise quality materials, industry standard software & equipment and enjoy the pursuit of high quality ideas & product. This project typified that in that we were able to connect local musicians to an internationally renowned guitarist - formerly of the Stone Roses. However, another important factor in our work is the quality of ‘the process’ for the people we are working with. Working 1to1 with people at their own pace, with adults & young people we enabled them to develop performances and decorate out the yard. Previous clients of this kind of work have included: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Youth & Community Service, Preston City Council.
Your Jerusalem
This was a film created during COVID with the singer songwriter Avital Raz. Based around a play that she had written the year before called My Jerusalem. It includes material filmed live from the play, you could wait footage, interviews with people from Israel and Palestine and a soundtrack created by Avital. The work is a multilayered exploration of the complexities, beauty and personal meaning of one of the most interesting cities in the world. You can see the film here.
Documentation
As well as offering a service locally to film & photograph activities and events that happen on the estate. We also offer this facility to organisations, groups & companies in the wider preston area. Where appropriate local service users & volunteers are included in this work as it develops their confidence in their abilities in making the best use of quality film & photography camera’s. The Mela like a number of annual events in the city is also an opportunity to take in and connect with a different culture. Previous clients in this work have included: Community Gateway, Preston Carribbean Carnival, They Eat Culture, Preston City Councils Lancashire Encounter, Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust etc. You can see the Encounter film here, featuring the Preston City Mela part of the torchlight parade.
PRU support
Over the years we have worked with many young people outside of mainstream education. Providing individuals with a safe space to learn skills in Photography, Design, Art, Film, Woodwork, Animation etc. Referrals tend to come through Pupil Referral Units, mainstream schools or community based service providers that offer our creative support as an option to young people who have been on a difficult life/educational pathway. Often they need some time & space for a more relaxed period of exploration. We tap into their creative side - which might mean recovering their lateral thoughts & dreams that may have been suppressed or helping them to take their readily creative desires to another level. Enabling a self confidence through their creative expression that means they can re-focus their direction of travel and start to problem solve more effectively. Previous clients in this work have included: Shaftesbury High school, Larches House, Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust, Moorhey High School, Roselyn House School etc.
Past & Future health

A reminiscence project where we worked with a group of local elders to discuss how health care had changed for them over the years. This inevitably led the practical revaluations of life before the NHS - things like the fact that over half of them had false teeth by the time they were 30. 


We did 10 sessions across the project period including a trip to Lancashire museum. Culminating with an exhibition of written and photographic pieces, to which the local and the wider audiences were invited. At some sessions we were also able to connect some local young people into the conversations too.

Conclusion

A large number of people we work with continue producing through the voluntary ‘creative self help groups’ that happen weekly at Soundskills and some individuals that we have supported have gone on to produce graphic design, film & photography as a career. 

We also include service users & volunteers that we are developing in creative commissions that we are given. In the past this has included the production of company promotion products, animation films, music videos etc. 

Let's collaborate

We’re always keen to help people develop exciting creative ideas – if you have an idea or a commission for a project please contact us on ‭07971641824‬ or by email at ilovealison.chris@gmail.com