THE Turning Tides Project (TTTP), a group which provides access to music and the arts for those with learning difficulties, has had a successful 12 months due to a boost in activities, projects and the number of members.

As a community interest company, TTTP is a group of artists, teachers, dancers, musicians, facilitators, enablers and support workers who believe that everyone has the right of equal access to music and the arts.

The company has seen a big increase in both the number of people with and without learning disability or autism joining local projects based in Okehampton. TTTP has also noticed the amount of national and international positive feedback to their website and social media sites.

TTTP highlights from 2016 include Morpheus, an original composition, installation and performance inspired by the landscape of Arnos Vale – this original work came to Okehampton and was displayed in Okehampton before the group went on to win first place in their class in the Okehampton Carnival with its butterfly draped Morpheus-themed costumes.

Members of TTTP were also present at Battle of the Bands this year. TTTP welcomed the opportunity to perform original songs on the main festival stage and experienced a great response from the crowd.

This has inspired TTTP to make 2017 its ‘year of the festival’, as it plans to visit and perform at more festivals than it has ever done before.

TTTP uses music and the arts to create work of value and then uses the income generated to create other opportunities to do useful, fun and exciting things.

TTTP has worked hard this year to create and promote its training workshops (with over 250 people attending) and its ‘small talk’ approach to accessible communication which uses a multi-sensory approach to make information accessible to people who do not access written word or have conventional speech.

This year is going to be an exciting year for TTTP and the local community as projects mature and new projects begin.

To find out more visit the website www.theturningtides project.org.uk