Recognising two inspirational organisations leading the way with arts in care
25 years is an incredible achievement for any charity, and Two Rhythms (formerly Touch Trust) have achieved that milestone in style. Since 2000, the accessible arts charity have provided educational and therapeutic programmes forpeople with profound physical and learning disabilities.
Their track record of support is impressive – speak to a guest, friend, or family member of a guest, and they will convince you in a heartbeat that the work Two Rhythms does is an essential part of people’s lives. This was evident in their 25th anniversary event at the Senedd on Monday 3 Feb, as friends and supporters from across the years gathered to celebrate its history.
Practice Solutions were lucky enough to sponsor the occasion and it was an honour to sit amongst the celebrations: the music, the dance, the passion, and watching the faces of people with profound needs light up. It was clearly evident that we witnessed something special – a bond between guests and practitioners that is powerful and rewarding for both.
Services like these are essential, make no doubt about it. The evidence is there that they help people live longer, healthier and happier lives. The perception they are an optional extra, or an add-on, is changing and in some places has already changed. However, there is still more to do to reenforce this narrative in society and the sector in which we work.
As Two Rhythms continues to look ahead, branching out to a second location from its long standing home at Wales Millenium Centre to another site at Cerebral Palsy Cymru Children’s Centre in Llanishen (Cardiff), it is important to recognise and pay tribute to charities like Two Rhythms. The work they do in the social care sector to uplift and empower those with physical and learning disabilities is inspiring.
The work we all do to ensure everyone in our society can live a life of meaning and fulfilment should never be underestimated or forgotten, particularly in the current context of delivering services. This was dramatically underscored when we went to see Hijinx’s brilliant and rightly critically acclaimed production Housemates.
The powerful play at the Sherman Theatre tells the story of how Supported Living, that is so commonplace today, was created. It started here in Wales, where the strength and determination of a group of Cardiff Uni Social Services students and five adults with learning disabilities from Ely Hospital, won their long standing battle to trial ‘shared living’ as they moved into 12 Ruthin Gardens in Cathays. Steeped in the power of music, the production shows us how ‘support’ has to be about more than helping people to simply survive. Art, music, creativity are incredibly important parts of everyone’s lives, and we as a sector have to continue to recognise and support initiatives that celebrates the role of arts and culture in supporting people of all ability to thrive.
Housemates is on tour around Wales in March and April 2025. Find out more and book your tickets on the Hijinx website.
You can find out more about the amazing work Two Rhythms does on their website.
