More Than Words

Creative arts and healthy living activities

More than words logo

Are you an aspiring actor or drama queen? 

More Than Words is a not-for-profit community organisation in Wigan that supports children, young people and adults with disabilities and/or autism. We specialise in drama, music, sports and healthy living activities, but we also provide opportunities for young people and adults to experience work placements and achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

We use proven dramatherapy techniques to support individuals to express themselves, communicate, develop self-confidence and self-esteem and the skills they need to be able to maximise their independence and achieve their goals in life. 

What is dramatherapy?

It’s a creative healing process that benefits social skills, motor skills, listening skills, spatial awareness and discipline. It helps individuals develop confidence, self-esteem and new meanings to their life through groupwork. It can help people of all ages, from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with mental ill-health, learning disabilities or autism, members of dysfunctional families, abuse survivors, and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is especially beneficial to those who:

  • lack confidence or find it difficult to verbalise their emotions
  • lack social communication skills
  • have speech difficulties
  • have difficulty recognising or regulating their emotions or behaviour
  • have difficulty forming and maintaining social relationships

Our Services

Our work is person-centred, so we focus on the individual and what they can do and would like to be able to do in the future. We use symbols, pictures, photographs and whatever works to help individuals to communicate, make sense of the world and their routines. Our support includes:

  • Drama, music, singing and dance: We create and perform our own theatre shows and adapt well-known stories and plays. We also perform at local events and in schools and businesses, to help people understand the issues faced by people with disabilities and/or autism.

 

  • Inclusive sports and healthy lifestyles: We offer the opportunity for individuals to get involved in regular accessible exercise, dance, inclusive sports, menu planning, meal preparation and understand more about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle.

 

  • Sensory activities: Our Snoezelen is a controlled multi-sensory environment which we use as therapy for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, dementia and brain injuries.

 

  • Supported work experience and volunteering: We the opportunity for individuals to get involved in our work experience and volunteering programmes in the local community, and have developed an accessible menu of options for them to choose from.

 

  • Community and education: As an accredited Arts Awards and Open Awards Centre, we offer the opportunity for individuals to achieve nationally recognised qualifications in a range of subjects. We also support and encourage individuals to become more independent and get out and about in the local community. Our Blossom Programme is for ages 16-25 and links with schools to provide day release workshops for young people transitioning to adulthood.

 

  • Events and after-hours activities: We regularly perform at community and networking events, both within and outside of Wigan borough. Our after-hours programme includes a monthly disco (Boogie Nights), weekly drumming circle, dancing and regular fitness camp activities.

Our Premises

Our base has level access and includes:

  • a fabulous theatre-style studio space
  • fully equipped sensory room
  • breakout space
  • hygiene room, with changing bed, hoist, accessible toilet and washbasin.

We offer full-day and half-day sessions. The emphasis is on developing confidence, becoming more independent, making new friends and having fun!

We provide group support at a ratio of 3:1 and can provide 1:1 or 2:1 support for an additional charge. Individuals can also bring their own PA if they prefer.

Who to Contact

Contact Name
Melissa Pettigrew
Contact Position
Operations Manager
Telephone
01942 735426 01942 735426
E-mail
info.mtwadvoc@gmail.com
Website
More Than Words website
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Where To Go

Name
More Than Words
Address
Unit 2 The Edge
Pottery Terrace
Wigan
Greater Manchester
Postcode
WN3 5AB
View WN3 5AB on a map

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm, and Thursdays 9am to 6.30pm
Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Costs

Details

We welcome self-funders and people in receipt of Personal Health Budgets or Direct Payments.

Other Details

Referral not required
Referral Details

We are on Wigan Council's Ethical Framework for Children's Services. We welcome self-referrals, and referrals from professionals.

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