Soft Touch Arts Turns 25

A community arts organisation set up on a wing and prayer by five unemployed people is now celebrating its 25th birthday.

Leicester-based Soft Touch Arts is marking the milestone with a celebration event and the publication of 25 Years, 25 People, 25 Stories, a collection of 25 interviews with people it has worked with  – one from each year of its existence.  Together they show the broad and long-lasting impact that community-focused organisations like Soft Touch can have on people’s lives. The stories illustrate how people have been enabled to explore their creativity and helped to re-engage with learning and employment, adopt healthier lifestyles and avoid involvement with crime.

Soft Touch is now one of the country’s leading participatory arts groups employing some 20 people and last year had a turnover exceeding £500,000. It was created as a co-operative in 1986, its founder members getting by on the Government’s Enterprise Allowance Scheme which supported unemployed people to start their own businesses.

Over the years Soft Touch has helped many thousands of people to develop their creativity and skills in projects that have ranged from a community pantomime staged in a swimming pool to music production sessions for young rappers and films about local notables including playwright Joe Orton and England’s “Six Day Queen” Lady Jane Grey. It has developed a particular reputation for its commitment to work alongside hard-to-reach groups including young people excluded from school, refugee communities and Travellers.

One of the people profiled is Jack Girling, who attended Soft Touch music sessions in 2010 and has since launched his own arts company. “I’ve got to thank Soft Touch for doing a lot for me,” says Jack. “I’ve got all these skills, and I’ve got a lot more confidence in myself.  Once you’ve been to Soft Touch it’s like having an extended family really. It’s a place that can be a lifeline for a lot of young people.’

Co-director and founder member Vince Attwood said: “Most small businesses fail within three to five years. When you look at the ups and downs of the economy since we started, we’re incredibly proud that we’re still here, still thriving, and still making a difference.”

A celebration event on 5 October at New Walk Museum, 53 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7EA from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. The event will feature an address from City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who has had involvement with Soft Touch since its early days when he was a drama teacher, plus music from young people, a chance to try out arts, craft and music, a Tracy Emin-style tent, and refreshments.

For further information on Soft Touch Arts please contact Chris Wigmore on 0116 270 2706 or chris@soft-touch.org.uk

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