Learning & Participation Volunteers
Help out with some of our regular performing and visual arts-based groups, projects and events.
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Teacher Network CPD sessions
Supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing
A six-part course for children and young people motivating them to take responsibility for their own physical, mental and emotional, social, educational and holistic wellbeing. The course can be tailored to both the Primary Curriculum and as a KS3 course for young people. Sessions focus on creative, interactive arts activities based around the nationally-recognised 5 ways to wellbeing, in order to create meaningful, positive change in young people’s daily lives.
This course could also be designed as a series of podcasts or a 3 day intensive course for those aged 15 – 18, delivered at the Corn Exchange for a small cohort by referral.
Developing Life Skills is a one-day drama-based course tailored to ages 15 – 18 (years 10 – 13) to help equip young people with the interactions skills useful for the workplace. It has been designed to support the development of young people by increasing their confidence, encouraging positive thinking and helping to raise their aspirations. Students are often selected by the schools involved to provide the opportunity for those who they know will most benefit from support with social interaction, self confidence and communication. Content addresses teamwork, ‘How do I fit in?’, voice impact, positive thinking and presenting skills through drama games and reflective practice. Sessions are led by professional drama practitioners.
These sessions may also be developed to be led as an out of school session at the Corn Exchange or as a series of online sessions.
Mental health and creative arts support for Year 5/6 pupils.
The Corn Exchange has a well-established reputation in West Berkshire for delivering high quality arts provision and for using the arts as a tool for children and young people’s artistic and cultural development.
This one-off hour-long workshop has been created because we understand that transitioning to Secondary school is an exciting and important milestone in a child’s life but that it can also be a time of intense emotion, fear and mental ill-health. This session provides a variety of tools to help with resilience, stress and anxiety though a period of change.
A creative writing project culminating in original poetry based on a chosen theme. This has been an intergenerational project in the past, collaborating with local care settings and creating partnerships with local schools, Primary and Secondary. The project run usually as a course of 4 x creative sessions culminating in a rehearsal and performance/ sharing session of the groups’ works.
A six-week literacy and drama project (6 x 2 hours) exploring Roald Dahl’s classic texts and rehearsing an adaptation of one of the stories. The project culminates in each school involved joining other local schools for a performance on the Corn Exchange main stage! The project takes place annually in the summer term.
If you are interested in finding out more about one of our courses or have any questions, please get in touch with us at getinvolved@cornexchangenew.co.uk or phone the box office on 01635 522733
Help out with some of our regular performing and visual arts-based groups, projects and events.
Ever fancied operating a giant insect through the streets of Newbury or being part of a tale of hope and redemption that involves dynamic promenade action, stilts, aerial performance, soaring music, fire and pyro techniques…? Then this could be the opportunity for you!
Join our team of front of house volunteers at events
Join us on the first Wednesday of each month at Café B for this Coffee & Crafts session.
Lay down and relax to the soothing tones of quartz crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, Wind Chimes, Native American Flute, Guitar, Percussion instruments blended together with digital effects to create a truly unique and immersive experience.
Our monthly Memory Café's are for people living with dementia and their carers.
Join artist Gemma Kirby for these fun messy story sessions that are based around popular children’s books.
Rev up your Monday mornings for the ultimate blend of inspiration, incredible cars, camaraderie and the joy of photography.
Designed to support children in school years 3 – 6 (KS2) who are home educated.
Work with Emma Mayo to learn the basics in Waltz, Cha-Cha-Cha, Slow Rhythm, Rumba, and Quickstep.
Work with Emma Mayo to continue developing steps and variations in Waltz, Cha-Cha-Cha, Slow Rhythm, Rumba, and Quickstep as well as introduce new dances and rhythms.
Sing and socialise as part of a community singing group.
Boost your fitness and flexibility in a friendly setting.
Join one of our creative practitioners for these exciting stay and play sessions.
Open to children in school years 3 – 6 (KS2) who are home educated, our junior drama sessions provide a fun interactive introduction to drama.
Enjoy singing in these relaxed, wellbeing sessions.
Ever wondered what a career as an artist looks like, or how you get into it?
Come and create your very own lantern for the lantern procession, Festival of Light 2025.
Explore the arts and crafts of cultures around the world and master them yourselves in our weekly World Crafts workshops.
Starring Judy Garland, this musical follows the Smith family though a year in their life beginning in Summer 1903, leading up to the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904.
Work with Emma Mayo to learn the basics of Waltz, Cha-Cha-Cha, Slow Rhythm, Rumba, and Quickstep.
Work with Emma Mayo to continue developing steps and variations in Waltz, Cha-Cha-Cha, Slow Rhythm, Rumba, and Quickstep as well as introduce new dances and rhythms.
Designed to support children in school years 3 – 6 (KS2) who are home educated.
Join Yoga Therapist Katt Garde for this gentle and relaxing yoga course.
Join actor Joe Evans for our popular Adult Theatre Skills sessions for adults of all ages and experience levels.
Designed for home-educated young people, this engaging course explores storytelling, poetry, character creation, and more.
With a focus on wellbeing, these sessions use vocal warm ups and group singing to promote relaxation and help build the confidence needed for recovery.
Join us for this relaxing Sunday morning Tai Chi session.
Join us this half term for some creative fun. Activities include arts and crafts, drama and more!
Unlock your creativity through the art of journalling.
Join Fi from Fitter Mother, a qualified postnatal specialist, for this gentle and low-impact post-natal Pilates class where you will work on body alignment, posture, restoring core strength and mobility.
Join one of our creative practitioners for these exciting stay and play sessions.
Our musical theatre dance course is the perfect place for young performers to build confidence and explore their passion forr musical theatre.
Bringing you a brand new mash-up of child-friendly fitness from Fitter Mother to unleash your inner mighty mum mode!
Start the new year feeling strong, steady, and free in your movement.
Our Street Dance course for kids is designed to introduce young dancers to the exciting world of urban dance styles.
Introduce your child to the exciting world of jazz dance!
Enjoy a morning of relaxation with the whole family.
The Hilarious Low-Down on High Life!
Lay down and relax to the soothing tones of quartz crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, Wind Chimes, Native American Flute, Guitar, Percussion instruments blended together with digital effects to create a truly unique and immersive experience.
Join artist Gemma Kirby to create a pet Gruffalo puppet using different shapes, materials and textures.
Unwind, release, and reconnect in this deeply nurturing one-off session combining guided Yoga Nidra meditation with the healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls.
Embark on your Artful Journey with us, where every brushstroke and mark is a step in self-expression.
Continue on your Artful Journey with us, and develop your practice.
Sing and socialise as part of a community singing group.
Sing, smile, and move to the music!
A fantastic blend of Latin and Line Dancing. Learn the Latin American rhythms without needing a partner!
Boost your fitness and flexibility in a friendly setting.
Improve your mood and reduce anxiety and stress while building better balance, strength and flexibility with this low impact Chinese exercise.
Join us for a session of traditional self-healing, meditation, and self-cultivation exercises originating in ancient China.
Join artist Gemma Kirby to create your own slime dough, adding colour to make it look really disgusting!
S'Wonderful! S'Marvelous! ...She's the fairest lady of all!
Our monthly Memory Café's are for people living with dementia and their carers.
Join us every Thursday for a social stitching session!
Join us for Coffee Companions, every Thursday morning in our Café Bar!
Join us for our Cinema Club, where you can enjoy a screening in our cinema before coming together to talk about it with fellow film fans.
Calling all film fans!
Everybody remembers it how they need to.