A LEADING Worcestershire arts organisation has launched a couple of ground-breaking projects in a bid to counter the effects of the current virus pandemic.

Worcester Live is currently running two online community outreach projects with the aim of reducing isolation for those who have limited access to the Arts.

Creative Winter was set up after the group was successful in gaining a grant from the Cultural Recovery Fund.

And Culture Call came into being after the organisation was awarded funds from the National Lottery Community Fund, making both projects possible.

Creative Winter is a series of free commissioned arts projects run by professional artists online in collaboration with Worcester Live.

The projects are interactive and diverse, with the hope that they will appeal to the wider community. The project runs until the end of February.

Some examples of projects already commissioned include interactive audio plays for children, sessions featuring West End actors, craft workshops, online concerts and a photography competition offering a prize of a £50 Worcester Live gift voucher.

New projects are announced frequently on the Worcester Live social media sites.

Culture Call is a series of one-to-one free online sessions with art practitioners and freelance artists. The aim is to help people who are isolating to still have access to the Arts, such as music, dance or theatre while maintaining the human connection.

It is particularly good for those in need of a friendly face or some escapism in this current climate. Worcester Live already has a pool of professionals commissioned for the project, including a West End actor and Poet Laureate.

The project helps develop participants’ skills in different crafts and encourages them to have fun.

Worcester Live welcomes all abilities to this project and participants are encouraged to tailor the sessions to suit them - whether they want to develop their skills, or simply speak to someone over the telephone.

Participants also have a choice of which art form they would like to take part in so that they can enjoy a programme that best suits their interests.

Worcester Live’s Chief Executive Sarah-Jane Morgan said: “Working with members of our community is vital to our participation and engagement work, ensuring everyone can access the arts at all levels.

“Both Creative Winter and Culture Call will enable anyone who is in isolation, for whatever reason, the opportunity to engage with many talented practitioners for a number of free sessions and activities, offering not only the opportunity to benefit from the cultural medium of their choice, but also giving them an exclusive opportunity for relief from the isolation they may be feeling as a direct result of the pandemic.”

Participants can register interest and request further information for Culture Call by contacting Worcester Live’s Creative Learning and Participation Administrator, Leah Adkins, via email leah@worcesterlive.co.uk.

Interested parties can also find more information and how to register interest for Creative Winter projects via Worcester Live’s social media sites.