Purple Patch Arts

Since 2009, Purple Patch Arts has existed to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people by providing innovative, inclusive, creative learning experiences for them and the professionals who support them.

Our Lifelong Learning Programmes are for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults. Our specialist staff use creative methods such as art, drama, music, movement and multi-sensory activity to make learning fun and accessible, exploring a wide range of different topics based on a yearly theme. We explore a wide range of different topics that engage and challenge, while working with participants to develop their confidence, independence, communication and social skills, and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.

Through our Projects and Partnerships work, we regularly work with day services, supported living providers, libraries, Universities, schools and other organisations to deliver short term, funded projects that meet specific outcomes. Our current projects include Move On Up, a transitions project supporting and empowering young people as they transition into adult services; To Wander is to Adventure, a mindful walking project; and the Purple Research Group, where a group of Lifelong Learning participants are co-researching why people come to Purple Patch Arts with a PhD researcher from the University of Leeds. We actively seek grants to fund a wide range of projects, or organisations invite us in to provide specialist training, consultancy and workshop delivery. Our projects work allows us to reach new people, respond to need and support the work of others.