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URCreation is a specialist creative workshop provider set up in late 2014 by Artists James Whatley and Alexandra Vacaroiu. We establish meaningful links between artists, vulnerable adults and engage the general public through creative practice.

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James is a social care manager and has a background in crafts and in music, he holds a HND in contemporary crafts and also in 3D design from Brighton University and has been involved with the London music scene playing in many bands and putting on club nights for charity. He worked in the public sector for almost 10 years at a ‘not for profit’ organisation, holding creative workshops for adults with learning disabilities internally. This gave him the chance to practise the skills needed to develop programmes that are both beneficial and meaningful for service users. He has worked in various environments supporting groups and individuals.

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Alexandra is an art teacher and holds an MA in Photography at the University of the Arts London, which explored the therapeutic effects of photography. She volunteered with the Alzheimer's Society for six months, before working alongside both the Alzheimer's Society and Age Camden UK. She attended talks around the idea of art as a therapy for older, more vulnerable communities and managed the participation of the elderly, some suffering with dementia. This provided us with contacts for further collaboration with psychiatrists, therapists and others who have done practical work in this area. Among her achievements: longlisted for Art Aesthetica Prize, screening at the Institute of Contemporary Arts at London Short Film Festival and at the V&A, exhibition at the Photographers Gallery, part of the FreshFaced and Wildeyed competition.

We have a strong background in the public sector, working with vulnerable adults, community participation and involving people in creative practices. We have developed programmes that are both beneficial and meaningful for service users, their friends and families. We have become adept at one to one support and leading workshops, helping people to experience new practices or evolving their current creative practice in a wide number of mediums. All artists are DBS checked.