What topics are we going to cover on the course?
Everything you need to know about setting up and running a creative workshop, with an emphasis on access & inclusion for yourself as a CSA survivor leader and for CSA survivor participants. Areas include: budgeting, risk assessments, publicity & marketing, how to select activities for workshop(s), access & inclusion, creating safe(r) spaces, evaluating your workshops. We will also have guest artists workshops to attend (who are also CSA survivors) to be inspired by different leadership styles.
What type of creative workshop will I need to lead during the course?
It is up to you what creative activity you want to lead at the end of the course. For your first workshop, we will support you to figure out what is possible to deliver within a 2-hour taster workshop, which you'll plan and deliver as part of the course. After the course you may want to run longer workshops, one-off sessions or ongoing courses, or even retreats - we will support you to think about this.
What is the format for the workshop I will lead? Who will attend my workshop?
During the programme you will deliver a 2-hour workshop. You will co-facilitate these with another person from the training programme, with you as the workshop leader and them supporting you with things like setting up the activity/space, handing our resources or demonstrating techniques. You might also support someone else in their workshop. All workshops will also be supported by a member of the VGC team and a wellbeing support person.
Your workshop can be on any creative activity you choose, as long as it is legal and ethical to deliver (i.e. if you are not a qualified yoga instructor you couldn’t deliver yoga). We will support you to work out what is possible to deliver in 2 hours, what materials you need, and what facilities you require for it. We imagine most workshops taking place in a classroom style setting; if your workshop needs to be delivered in a specific setting i.e. outside, in a pottery studio, we will work this out with you.
Room hire and workshop materials will be paid for by the course.
Do I have to publicly say that I am a survivor?
No. This is down to personal choice, and we will help you manage it in a way that feels right for you. Some trainees may want to be profiled as a CSA survivor artist on our social media and website, and talk about it publicly in their workshop (or future workshops) publicity. Others may choose to be visible only to other participants and staff on the training course and remain anonymous or use a ‘stage name’ on all publicity for workshops. In the future it is your choice too.
Is it obligatory to attend all 13 course sessions, run a workshop … etc?
Nothing is obligatory; choice is always vital for our community. When you accept your place on the course you are agreeing to an intention to attend all 13 course sessions and deliver your own workshop at the end of the programme. If things change for you and you are no longer able to do this for any reason, or don’t feel comfortable running a workshop, then we will respect and support any decision you make. We celebrate doing what is right for each of us.
What does 'travelling distance from Leeds' mean?
We mean approximately 1-1.5 hours travelling distance (by train / bus / car) from central Leeds. This is because the course covers a lot of material each session, and we want to ensure the wellbeing of those attending. The opportunity is also prioritised for people living in Leeds and the surrounding areas, such as (but not limited to) Sheffield, Derby, Bradford, Manchester, York, Hull, Middlesbrough.
Can I discuss my application prior to applying?
Yes, if you are unsure about the application process or if it is the right fit for you, you are welcome to email us on [email protected] and we can reply on email or arrange to speak on the phone or Zoom call if you prefer.
Could you say a bit more about the group interview? Would participants have to prepare/deliver anything or just participate?
There's nothing to prepare for the interview; it will be really informal. We will be introducing everything that we're going to do, and everyone will take part in a check in which we will guide. There might be opportunities to talk a bit about what you've written in your application about what you are looking to develop on the course, but we wouldn't be expecting anyone to prepare or deliver anything. There will also be oppportunity for everyone to think about and ask questions to us. It’s as much about you meeting us as it is about us meeting you, and all of us together feeling confident and comfortable that we can work together.
What kind of materials do you need to participate in online sessions?
You need to be able to participate on Zoom for the online sessions, as that’s the platform we will be using. We recommend using a laptop or tablet for this rather than a phone, so that the image isn't too small to read slides and see the other participants on the screen. Our partner, Coventry University, can loan tablets to anyone who does not have access to this equipment, for the duration of the course.
Other than that you don’t need to bring anything. We have a lot of experience delivering online training and will make the sessions as inclusive and accessible as possible.
What materials do I need for the in-person sessions?
All materials for in person sessions will be provided by us. You are welcome to bring your own stationary if you prefer, and we all also provide notebooks, pens and printed handouts. All creative materials will be provided by us.
What kind of topic areas do people choose to make workshops on? Does it have to be about CSA?
No, it doesn’t have to be about CSA at all. It’s about sharing your creative talent, which can be all sorts of things. These are not therapy or peer support groups, but rather creative workshops and we make this distinction really clear in how we deliver the training and also in how the trainee workshops are marketed too. Some things our previous trainees have shared include writing, upcycling, cyanotype, drawing, building Lego superheroes, animation, singing, vocal improvisation and different folk arts. You bring your creativity and we'll teach you how to share it!
Everything you need to know about setting up and running a creative workshop, with an emphasis on access & inclusion for yourself as a CSA survivor leader and for CSA survivor participants. Areas include: budgeting, risk assessments, publicity & marketing, how to select activities for workshop(s), access & inclusion, creating safe(r) spaces, evaluating your workshops. We will also have guest artists workshops to attend (who are also CSA survivors) to be inspired by different leadership styles.
What type of creative workshop will I need to lead during the course?
It is up to you what creative activity you want to lead at the end of the course. For your first workshop, we will support you to figure out what is possible to deliver within a 2-hour taster workshop, which you'll plan and deliver as part of the course. After the course you may want to run longer workshops, one-off sessions or ongoing courses, or even retreats - we will support you to think about this.
What is the format for the workshop I will lead? Who will attend my workshop?
During the programme you will deliver a 2-hour workshop. You will co-facilitate these with another person from the training programme, with you as the workshop leader and them supporting you with things like setting up the activity/space, handing our resources or demonstrating techniques. You might also support someone else in their workshop. All workshops will also be supported by a member of the VGC team and a wellbeing support person.
Your workshop can be on any creative activity you choose, as long as it is legal and ethical to deliver (i.e. if you are not a qualified yoga instructor you couldn’t deliver yoga). We will support you to work out what is possible to deliver in 2 hours, what materials you need, and what facilities you require for it. We imagine most workshops taking place in a classroom style setting; if your workshop needs to be delivered in a specific setting i.e. outside, in a pottery studio, we will work this out with you.
Room hire and workshop materials will be paid for by the course.
Do I have to publicly say that I am a survivor?
No. This is down to personal choice, and we will help you manage it in a way that feels right for you. Some trainees may want to be profiled as a CSA survivor artist on our social media and website, and talk about it publicly in their workshop (or future workshops) publicity. Others may choose to be visible only to other participants and staff on the training course and remain anonymous or use a ‘stage name’ on all publicity for workshops. In the future it is your choice too.
Is it obligatory to attend all 13 course sessions, run a workshop … etc?
Nothing is obligatory; choice is always vital for our community. When you accept your place on the course you are agreeing to an intention to attend all 13 course sessions and deliver your own workshop at the end of the programme. If things change for you and you are no longer able to do this for any reason, or don’t feel comfortable running a workshop, then we will respect and support any decision you make. We celebrate doing what is right for each of us.
What does 'travelling distance from Leeds' mean?
We mean approximately 1-1.5 hours travelling distance (by train / bus / car) from central Leeds. This is because the course covers a lot of material each session, and we want to ensure the wellbeing of those attending. The opportunity is also prioritised for people living in Leeds and the surrounding areas, such as (but not limited to) Sheffield, Derby, Bradford, Manchester, York, Hull, Middlesbrough.
Can I discuss my application prior to applying?
Yes, if you are unsure about the application process or if it is the right fit for you, you are welcome to email us on [email protected] and we can reply on email or arrange to speak on the phone or Zoom call if you prefer.
Could you say a bit more about the group interview? Would participants have to prepare/deliver anything or just participate?
There's nothing to prepare for the interview; it will be really informal. We will be introducing everything that we're going to do, and everyone will take part in a check in which we will guide. There might be opportunities to talk a bit about what you've written in your application about what you are looking to develop on the course, but we wouldn't be expecting anyone to prepare or deliver anything. There will also be oppportunity for everyone to think about and ask questions to us. It’s as much about you meeting us as it is about us meeting you, and all of us together feeling confident and comfortable that we can work together.
What kind of materials do you need to participate in online sessions?
You need to be able to participate on Zoom for the online sessions, as that’s the platform we will be using. We recommend using a laptop or tablet for this rather than a phone, so that the image isn't too small to read slides and see the other participants on the screen. Our partner, Coventry University, can loan tablets to anyone who does not have access to this equipment, for the duration of the course.
Other than that you don’t need to bring anything. We have a lot of experience delivering online training and will make the sessions as inclusive and accessible as possible.
What materials do I need for the in-person sessions?
All materials for in person sessions will be provided by us. You are welcome to bring your own stationary if you prefer, and we all also provide notebooks, pens and printed handouts. All creative materials will be provided by us.
What kind of topic areas do people choose to make workshops on? Does it have to be about CSA?
No, it doesn’t have to be about CSA at all. It’s about sharing your creative talent, which can be all sorts of things. These are not therapy or peer support groups, but rather creative workshops and we make this distinction really clear in how we deliver the training and also in how the trainee workshops are marketed too. Some things our previous trainees have shared include writing, upcycling, cyanotype, drawing, building Lego superheroes, animation, singing, vocal improvisation and different folk arts. You bring your creativity and we'll teach you how to share it!