Dwylo Bach - Making Sense CIO

In December 2022 Making Sense CIO were awarded £9,920 towards their project Dwylo Bach in Llanrwst. 
 

Dwylo Bach’ is a creative and engaging programme of activities for early years children and their parents/carers.
Dwylo Bach sessions are jam-packed with joyful learning and designed for little artists to explore their inner creativity, be curious and MAKE! Creating environments and activities inspired by our creative partners exhibition programmes, which are sensory and playful for all the family to enjoy. The programme focuses on early years engagement, learning and responses to contemporary art and craft within a creative and inspiring setting; creating a sense of belonging for children and their families in cultural institutions and within the wider community. 
The sessions they provided don’t ‘teach’ but instead-offers an ‘invitation to play’- a creative space for little artists to play, explore and be inspired.  Providing a flexible child-led sessions through creativity.
 

A total of 276 children aged 0-4 and 181 adults engaged with their sessions at Llanrwst. They also provided tailored sessions for 3 childminding businesses, 2 Cylch ti a Fi groups and STAND North Wales – 6 groups in total with 12 members of staff participating in the sessions. 
 

Anna from Twts Crwst was one of the childminders who attended the sessions:
As a childminder, the session opened my eyes to what can be done outdoors, also if there are any similar activities coming up in the future I will attend with the children. It has also given me the urge to go and take children out more regularly to outdoor areas to carry out activities similar to this for the children in my care.
It was nice to be able to communicate with other guards because the only other time we have a conversation is at school which is not long.
I really hope that the Dwylo Bach team can continue for years to come, we childminders, the children and the children's parents are extremely grateful that they hold sessions like this for us, there are not many activities in the area so having sessions is in this way is extremely valuable to us.
 

The project also offered an opportunity for an emerging artist to assist and shadow the sessions to gain further insight and experience of working with early years groups. Helping young professionals to gain a better understanding of the breadth of roles that exist across the creative economy and the pathways into them in Wales.
 

Ticky Lowe, Making Sense CEO mentions: 
The success of Dwylo Bach has clearly demonstrated the demand for this type of programming in rural communities. The overwhelming response from participants and organisations involved underscores the need for further funding to support and expand this important initiative. With continued support, Dwylo Bach can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of families in Llanrwst and beyond, providing opportunities for growth, connection, and creativity.
 

You can read more here in their evaluation of the project: 
Dwylo Bach | Wales Arts Health & Well-being Network