Adults with disabilities in Barnet are making their mark on the London Olympics after starring in a new film being broadcast as part of the 2012 Games celebrations.
The Your Choice Barnet service users collaborated with musicians and media producers nationwide to help create an innovative film for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
The project, called Turning Points, was one of only 10 commissioned for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Unlimited – the UK’s largest programme celebrating arts, culture and sport by disabled and deaf people.
Working with celebrated flautist Ruth Montgomery, the service users from Barnet Independent Living Service (BILS) were involved in producing the music for the film.
BILS offers specialist support to adults with a range of physical and sensory impairments. It is one of six specialist services that make up Your Choice Barnet, an organisation set up earlier this year to support hundreds of adults with learning and physical disabilities.
Service users also shared their personal stories and now have them published on the Turning Points website:www.turningpoints2012.org.
After hearing about the project BILS Independent Living Facilitator, Henry Poser, contacted the director and producer, Chris Tally Evans. Henry felt the service users had a wealth of talent to bring to the project and would benefit immensely from the experience.
Speaking from his home in Wales, Chris said: “We had a fantastic time at BILS. Everybody made us feel welcome and it would be great to come back to Barnet and work with such a vibrant bunch of people.
“We have received three wonderful stories for our website and their work with Ruth has resulted in some enchanting music for the films soundtrack.
“Our only regret is that we didn’t have more time to get Turning Point stories out of everyone.”
Tracey Lees, Chief Executive of Your Choice Barnet, said: “It takes courage for service users to share these kinds of stories and their efforts have inspired us all.
“We’re proud of all the hard work and ingenuity invested by the service users and staff at BILS. It’s just one example of staff at our services going above and beyond their day-to-day duties to promote confidence and independence for their service users in the community.”
The film has six stories spoken in one voice from a visually impaired dancer, a young boy, a go-getting career woman, an Olympic runner, a Hollywood star and the artist himself.
Featuring the likes of Hollywood legend Sir Roger Moore and Olympian Jamie Balch, the film sets to move young and old that whether you are famous, disabled or poor there are significant moments and people that can help a person change and lead a more self-fulfilled life.
Over 100 people across the UK have actively participated in contributing their stories, artwork and music to the project.
The film has been shown in Wales with free screenings in London on 31 August to 9 September at the Southbank Centre. For more information on booking a free space visit the London festival 2012 website (www.festival.london2012.com).