Focus Birmingham Seeks Volunteer Art Teachers to Inspire the Visually Impaired

Left to right: Cate Burke, CEO at Focus Birmingham and Ian Reynolds, Retired Art Teacher & Artist

Focus Birmingham, a local disability charity dedicated to supporting people with visual impairment and complex needs, is urgently appealing for volunteer art teachers to help run creative workshops at its Harborne center. The charity is calling on both retired and practicing artists across the city to share their skills and enrich the lives of the people they
support.

The art classes are a vital part of Focus Birmingham’s community programme, providing a creative outlet and social connection for people who are visually impaired. Volunteers will play a crucial role in helping members express themselves through various art forms. The sessions are held bi weekly on a Thursday morning in Harborne, and the opportunity is hugely rewarding.

"Our art workshops are incredibly important to our community," says CEO, Cate Burke. "They offer a chance for our members to connect, learn new skills, and explore their
creativity in a supportive environment. We are looking for passionate individuals who can help us continue this valuable work. No previous experience with visual impairment is
necessary - just a love for art and a willingness to teach."

The art group has been running for over two decades founded by Ian Reynolds a retired art teacher and artist, with the help of a team of dedicated volunteers. He said: “To provide the best experience, we need around two or three teachers to make each class the best it can be, and over the years, we have worked with some exceptionally talented artists, but
everyone is getting older and people retire, even from their retirement.

“Our students get a great deal of benefit from the classes, working across many art mediums. For those with partial complete sight loss, using bold colours in paint may be their
medium, for others it may be the tactile elements of sculpture or textiles. For everyone in the class, their work is extremely important and I don’t want their experience to suffer from too few teachers.”

This is a unique opportunity for artists to make a tangible difference and become part of a vibrant, inclusive community. Focus Birmingham’s Harborne center is located at 48-62
Woodville Road, Harborne, B17 9AT.

Interested individuals can apply or find out more information by contacting HR@focusbirmingham.org.uk.