Margot visits the Coach House Centre

On Friday afternoon, Margot visited the Coach House centre in Oldswinford. The centre is available for community groups to use for a variety of purposes and the main focus is on young adults with learning difficulties. Margot was very pleased to see that it remains a busy facility despite concerns over funding.

The Chairman of the Management Committee, Pamela Green, told Margot how the Coach House has struggled to cope since funding from the Learning & Skills Council was suddenly withdrawn last summer. However, with regular fundraising events and the support of local people, the centre has been able to continue.

Frank McGain Harding facilitates the “No Limits” theatre group which meets and rehearses every Friday at the Coach House. No Limits is organised by Working Parts, a regional group that seeks to involve people with disabilities in theatre and the arts, especially those with autism or aspergers who can find communication particularly challenging. With a recent grant from the Arts Council, Working Parts is active throughout the Black Country.

Alan Mclean, from Working Parts, explained how theatre is a really effective way for people with autism or aspergers to practice communicating and expressing themselves whilst having fun at the same time. Margot was pleased to see that the group was so well attended by young adults who can sometimes be hard to reach through traditional care networks.

Margot saw the cast rehearsing their latest production which will be performed at the Himley Arts Festival in July.

Photos Top: Margot James with Frank McGain-Harding and Pamela Green, Bottom: Margot James with the 'No Limits' cast