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Radio series with Rodney Appleyard: film guru and host of Colne radio’s 'Saturday night at the movies' podcast. Discussing the current state of British independent film with 'DB' Morgan, associated actors and members of the Underdog crew.
Radio series with Rodney Appleyard: film guru and host of Colne radio’s 'Saturday night at the movies' podcast. Discussing the current state of British independent film with 'DB' Morgan, associated actors and members of the Underdog crew.
We are EMPOWERING! We are SUPPORTING! We are NURTURING! We are CHANGING LIVES! We are... THE UNDERDOG CREW!
STUDIO: 01787 585519 db@underdogcrew.org
Underdog Crew Studios provides a safe and nurturing space for marginalised amd neuro diverse young adults to find inspiration, motivation and a place to belong. Providing creative education, support, guidance and a route towards an empowered adulthood laden with ambition and hope.
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'Creativity Studio' - weekly educational support workshops
Fostering creative ambition through independent thinking, collaboration and teamwork in our new Colne Valley barn studio in White Colne.
LIFE SKILLS with our in-studio tutors. One-on-one or group workshop sessions in small groups. Reconnecting teenagers with the enjoyment of creative education. Specific focus on young adults in key stages 3 and 4 who attend specialist schools, have fallen out of the education system, struggling to cope with mainstream schooling or are home schooled. Our focus is to add layers of resilience, social confidence and creative interest alongside formal education. We focus heavily on digital detox, over reliance on 'screen time' and nurturing sparks of interest into meaningful hobbies and lifelong interests beyond the digital realm.
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Current educational partners: Doucecroft School, Bright Lives CIC.
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EMPOWERING & UPLIFTING
WORKSHOP SERVICE MENU
BOOKING NOW FOR JANUARY 2025
PRICING (from January 2025):
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GROUPS @ £50 per student
(3 hour workshop sessions) MAXIMUM 12 students.
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1-on-1 tutoring @ £60 per student
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PLEASE NOTE OUR STUDIO CALENDAR IS FULLY BOOKED FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY DAY SESSIONS with limited availability for Saturday sessions.
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"Providing a safe and nurturing space for marginalised young adults to find inspiration, motivation and a place to belong. Creative education, support, guidance and a route towards an empowered adulthood laden with ambition and hope."
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Our referral partners
Multiple regional youth welfare organisations including: ESSEX YOUTH SERVICE, ACTION FOR FAMILY CARERS, ESSEX YOUNG CARERS, LADS NEED DADS, INCLUSION VENTURES, BRIGHT LIVES CIC, CAMHS, YOUTH ENQUIRY SERVICE, LOCAL SCHOOLS AND DOCTORS SURGERIES.
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Our current funding & support
Comprising multiple grants from: COMMUNITY 360, ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL ARTS & CULTURAL FUND, ANGLIAN COMMUNITY TRUST, ACTIVE ESSEX, NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS FOR ALL, ESSEX POLICE VIOLENCE & VULNERABILITY UNIT and COLCHESTER BOROUGH HOMES. The search for regular grants to assist with ongoing core costs and project specific grants is ongoing via our committed team. ​
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Our education partners
Our SEN friendly youth empowerment activities, workshops and training extend to providing external workshops for multiple schools and organisations, including DOUCECROFT SCHOOL and BRIGHT LIVES CIC. We are also a registered work experience provider with Essex County Council.
CORE PICK AND MIX activities
COOKING WORKSHOPS with our culinary tutor, Laura Morgan. Promoting healthy eating & cooking on a budget, Street food, Sausage making, Pizza from scratch, Burrito factory and more. ** Backwoods cooking skills (outdoor)
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MUSIC WORKSHOPS with our in-studio music tutor, Richie 'Sparrowhawk' Bennett. Core emphasis on guitars, keyboards and drums.
DRUMMING CIRCLE Theraputic wellbeing and mindfulness rhythmic drumming workshops.
"We believe that true strength lies in our differences, not in our similarities."
That's why we are dedicated to creating an inclusive learning and mentoring environment. We understand that children with Autism, ADHD, and other learning difficulties thrive when they are in an environment that supports their unique needs. That's why we have carefully crafted our space to reduce triggers such as bright lights, loud sounds, and extreme temperatures. We also recognize the importance of modeling, reinforcing, and rewarding positive behaviors.
Our team encourages brain breaks and always allows fidget toys. We nurture individual abilities and interests. This not only boosts self-esteem, but also creates a positive learning environment. But our support doesn't stop there. Our staff members have a deep understanding of conditions such as autism, ADHD, sleep disorders, ARFID, PDA, delayed development, and speech disorders. We use a range of strategies, from self-management techniques to social groups and skills training, to help our members develop their social skills.
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At Underdog Crew Studios, we are dedicated to empowering and uplifting every individual, regardless of their differences. Join us on our journey towards inclusivity and growth.
Underdog Crew core activities:
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#UCSlearn - Creative Education
Filmmaking
Screenwriting
Creative writing
Electronic music production
Drumming workshops
Dance workshops with Brianna Nolan
Model and prop making
SFX makeup workshops
Pottery and sculpture
Photography
Photo editing and digital manipulation
Stop motion animation
#UCS Activity Partner
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Knife & Axe throwing
Rage Room
Martial Arts & Boxing training
Tuesday After School Club
#UCS Activity Partner
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Carp Fishing
Rural wellbeing
Underdog Crew core activities continued... continued...
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RECREATIONAL AND BONDING
150" 4k projection and Dolby Atmos Gaming
(Xbox X / PS3 / Nintendo Switch / Retro)
Movies, Pool, ‘Fusbal’, basketball, Nerf wars and TAG Games
FAMILY BONDING ACTIVITIES
Promoting family time and the importance of eating together and open discussion. CANTEEN MUMS: Family members joining in sessions to strengthen shared experiences.
'INNER CHILD' FUN AND GAMES
Treasure hunt in the dark
Share or Dare - with Sweet or s#@t Russian roulette
Drum & Bass musical statues
A to Z prize memory games
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT
Empowerment Mentorship
Safeguarding support and signposting
CV and reference writing
In-studio work experience
Interview preparation
Youth counselling
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RURAL ACTIVITIES AND CAMPS
Backwoods cooking skills (outdoor)
Bush & Campcraft: including shelter building, spoon carving, fire making & wild cooking.
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