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2024
A Brand-New Start
Anonymous
Work in Progress, now there’s a name! No two people are the same. Inclusion runs through all they do, Inspiring, empowering all members to try things new. Through the performing arts, Members try out many different parts. Friendships grow, confidence blooms, No more need to be isolated or use Zooms. This group is special, It’s very dear to my heart. Why you ask? Because it’s helped me on the road to a brand-new start! Thank you x
What a Journey Work in Progress Has Been On!
Toby Fagan
Chair and Co-Founder
Well, it’s been a while since I last wrote a blog… so here goes… What a journey Work in Progress has been on since we started in 2022. We are coming up to our 2nd year (in September). Leslie and I talk all the time about what we have created and how we both never expected it to become what it is today – a group that thrives, adapts, and above all supports each other. We said from the very beginning that we wanted to create a fully inclusive group where people feel accepted, loved, and supported all while having fun. We as a group don’t need to work on this, we ARE this. I am proud to say this and I know Leslie is too. Over the next 7 months, as we work towards our second public Sharing in October, we will be working on many different things just like our Sharing last year (which now feels like a lifetime ago). We will continue to apply for more grants so we can sustain Work in Progress -- to keep what we have going for as long as we possibly can. Leslie and I refuse to stop now. In the last couple of weeks alone we have had conversations with two local organisations about working in partnership with them. This will help both Work in Progress and the other organisations provide more help, support, and guidance. We have also had another conversation about a huge opportunity in the coming weeks for Work in Progress. (Details of this will be posted when we know more. Even we don’t know what that partnership will look like yet but it is very exciting!) We are extremely proud of how Work in Progress is getting out there more and how people are invested in helping us build on the foundations that have been laid. The work doesn’t stop there though! Every day involves something related to Work in Progress. Leslie and I tackle each day, week, month, year with everything we have. I would like to end by firstly thanking our members, who always come first to us. We do what we do for them and we always will. Secondly, I would like to thank our amazing volunteers Adele, Caroline, and Graham. Without their support we truly wouldn’t be able to do what we do. Their support, care, and dedication to Work in Progress is second to none. Lastly, I want to thank you, our supporters not only in the UK but also all the way from America to Australia. Your support is amazing! Thank you!
'Beat the Blues Brunch' in Hawarden was Amazing!
Gill Benbow
Member
On Sunday 14th January 2024 we were invited to perform at a “Beat the Blues Brunch” at Hawarden Masonic Hall, which was hosted by Deeside Round Table, Deeside Ladies Circle and Deeside XRT 41 - Past Round Tablers Club. The DJ was Ian Gibbons and the people providing the Brunch were Chefs Danny Burke and Col Devitt (it looked fabulous), this was also a fundraising event. When we arrived at the hall, the space for us was quite small compared to where we had performed before but it didn’t phase us. I do admit to being nervous as we would be so close to the audience. I was worried it would be off putting seeing all their faces. We said we would adapt and we sure did, we fitted in like a glove. We started with ‘Fix You / Sit Down’ which is a performance piece to a song prepared by Choirs for Good who gave us permission to use their recording without them being present, which we were very grateful for. This is quite a thought provoking performance regarding bullying, rejection and depression. Being in the close intimate environment meant we were close to the audience and their response was palpable. I wear a fabric mask over my face in this piece and I could feel the audience's emotions. People actually cried they were so moved, which, although we don’t want to upset people we were proud that we had reached the audience and that we could convey to them that they ‘are not alone’ which is the main message of that piece. When we finished I apologised to one lady who was sobbing her heart out. My heart went out to her & I felt the need to say something. We moved on to a cheery song called 'Don't give up on me’ by Andy Grammer followed by BSL (British Sign Language) performance to ‘Everybody Hurts’ by R.E.M. We then did Kay's poem as a spoken word piece. This again touched people's hearts. It's all about feeling like you don’t fit in and then finally being included (which is what our group is all about). Of course little Louis her service dog was right beside her to encourage her. We finished off with a section of 'Freedom' by George Michael and got everyone clapping along with us. When we finished we had the biggest applause! We were all beaming and very proud. It was such a buzz to actually feel how the audience was feeling. We were followed by the wonderful singer Helen Shanley and guitarist Wezz Howe. She had a belter of a voice and sang some fab songs that we all joined in on in places. Near the end of her set she got everyone joining in with her. There were two sittings for the Brunch so we did it all again at 11am, and wow! We had the same reaction, this time however unbeknownst to us Helen asked us to go up and perform Tina Turner's ‘Proud Mary’ with her for the finale! We had so much fun. She even had the words ready for us on her tablet so we could sing it all with her. We had a blast grooving and ‘doing the moves’ in front of the microphone. The audience was all clapping and singing along. It was a wonderful morning and a great memory and we had a good time in the process too. After both performances members of the audience came up to us and said that they loved what we had done. Some said that they felt like we had helped them and they now know they are not alone and will look for help. A gent came over and said Kay’s poem was the best original work he had heard for a long time. Suffice to say it was a brilliant gig and hopefully we also helped some folk feel like they have a place in this world. I think we can safely say that we “Beat the Blues” of the following Blue Monday. Thanks to Rory and all the other wonderful people involved and a huge thanks to our Denise for getting us this gig. Here’s to many more in 2024. We thought it had ended there; however last Wednesday 31st Jan, Rory and friends from the Round Table, Ladies Circle and XRT41 turned up at our rehearsal and surprised us by presenting us with a huge cheque for £1,000.00! It is amazing and much needed to help us put on more performances this year. We sang a couple of new songs we are working on for them and we got them singing too. We all had cuppa and cakes and said how grateful we were to them for this and that hope we can work together again in the future. When I am feeling down I remember these days and my Work In Progress Family and I am so grateful to have joined this amazing group. They really are the best and we all look out for each other.
Oh Quick, Quick She's Coming!
Paula Gregory
Member
"Oh quick, quick she's coming!" A phrase I would frequently hear as a child. Sadly it was not to jump out for a birthday surprise, nor was it for any other surprise. It was to run and hide from me. To see the look on my face when I couldn't see anyone around. I would hear giggling coming from around corners or book cases. I knew, and so did they. This was how it was, people running and hiding, no jumping out yelling surprise! Dinner times at school were the worst. "Friends" finishing their food as quickly as possible so they didn't have to sit with me. I was alone and the other kids at school made sure I knew it. Water poured into my bag, Tipp-Ex, paint, and mud – just so I got the message. I learned to become invisible and not to draw attention to myself. This treatment I received all the way through high school, college, and university. I thought that people would be kinder being older and knowing right from wrong. I had good times too. I had a small group of good friends who I was able to connect with and have fun. Leading up to the present day I have been misunderstood. “Haven't we all” I hear you cry. Yes indeed, but my story of how it changed me is not the same as how yours might be. You see the impact has left me cripplingly sad and alone. I was already an only child so I was accustomed to entertaining myself. Yet as I grew older something in me changed. I realised perhaps maybe it was me, that maybe if I changed I would fit in more and people would want to be around me. Before I knew it I had developed an eating disorder that would stay with me for the rest of my life. Sure there were times when I was ok and almost recovered, but then it reared its ugly head again. I had to come home so I moved my entire life back home to North Wales. Empty and so lost. I had nothing. I did receive some ‘help’ but I experienced judgment and no compassion. So I knew I had to try something else. Shortly after the pandemic Leslie, who I had been in previous groups with, told me about a group she had created with Toby. I can say with humility joining Work in Progress is the best thing I did. The people are fun and understanding and above all honest and open about who they are. I love this group. It provides me with a sense of connection. It is my soft place to fall.
Work in Progress Has 'Normalised' Me
Gill Benbow
Member
So I first met Leslie and Toby during Covid… I live on my own and I have a disability, therefore I wasn't physically able to take the allowed 1 hour walk a day, so I spent a lot of time on the internet and social media. There was a group called Art & Soul Tribe who had a division called Vibe Tribe. They were holding Zoom sessions to learn to sing, do meditation and movement. It sounded fun, so I signed up. It was great, Leslie is a fab musical director, there was movement with Silver and also a chance to learn to beatbox with Kimmy, and Toby was running admin. It was great and the people in this group became my lifeline. I also joined their crafting group with Lindy. I ended up making a lot of friends, some of the friendships continued after Covid. But the fun stopped… Once again I was the disabled person who could no longer go kayaking, do amateur dramatics, play in the samba band, go salsa dancing, go hiking in the hills or crew on yachts… to say my horse-riding accidents changed my life is an understatement. To me it felt like my life had ended and I was just existing. Then I heard that Art & Soul Tribe had revived Vibe Tribe as such and Leslie was running a group down the road in Shotton. I arranged to go down to just see her in person, have a proper (not virtual) hug. In true Leslie style she had me singing with everyone and she asked me to pop over to Rhyl one evening to see what she and Toby were doing with a group called Work in Progress. So one evening I toddled over to Rhyl, oh it was so lovely to meet both her and Toby in person. We had a good chat and I joined in with the singing and movements they were learning for a Sharing in October. I had so much fun and it was amazing how liberating it was to be able to do ‘normal’ things. I was hooked, I contacted Ness, a friend I had made on the Zoom group, and asked her if she wanted to come with me the next week. She did and we have been going together ever since. Out of the blue we got an invite to perform at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod. We had 2 weeks to get our act together as such. We went into rehearsals and it was a bit surreal but also fantastic to be feeling the anticipation and excitement again. The day came, we all got on the coach, Leslie and Toby met us there and took us backstage to the Pavilion, wow! Just Wow! The main stage was HUGE! There was a buzz of excitement amongst us all. I got rather emotional as I could feel some of the ‘old me’ coming back. The nerves and excitement, the adrenaline of it all was fabulous to feel again. We performed with Signing Sensations and Choirs for Good. Our joint performance was a moving one about how we put on a brave face in the face of being bullied, rejected or when you are suffering from depression. What makes this group amazing is that practically all of us can really relate to this and the drama ideas have come from the members’ own experiences. It is in every way an inclusive group. We have all abilities there but we all feel ‘normal’ when we are all together. That night when we stepped out onto the stage to a packed audience and cameras from Channel S4C was like nothing I have ever experienced before. Yes I was nervous, singing doesn’t come naturally to me so it takes me out of my comfort zone, but there were others in our group who said they would never sing or do a solo and they were there doing it all… all because we have the fantastic support and encouragement from Leslie and Toby and not forgetting the volunteers Adele, Caroline and Graham who keep an eye on us all behind the scenes. The audience joined in with the songs clapping, and when we finished they cheered and applauded it felt amazing. I felt NORMAL again, that buzz you get when you finish and look at everyone applauding us is just phenomenal. We were all hugging and had the biggest smiles when we got off stage. What was amazing was that when we were walking around the Eisteddfod afterwards strangers were stopping us to tell us how amazing we were and they loved our performances. It was so lovely and so so appreciated. I cannot thank Leslie and Toby enough for giving me back a part of what has been missing for so long, that part of me that doesn’t feel disabled. I feel enabled, I feel part of a family and I feel useful again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
2023
Performing Nerves!!
Paula Gregory
Member
I have performed on stage with this group a number of times. I still get butterflies before going on stage. The fun and giggles we have rehearsing makes it so much worthwhile and makes being on stage that bit easier. I love this group as there is always someone who shows how brave and fun they are. It's humbling to think how much we have connected and supported each other. We share ideas and work out how we can put them together. I love how we practice and don't always get it right but that's part of the fun. I enjoy rehearsals because we work together because we achieve so much.
A Magical Experience
Adele Thomas
Volunteer
I became a volunteer for Work in Progress after working with Leslie on a drama workshop. As ever, she presented the idea that I get involved in such a way that it was difficult to say no to her! Fortunately for Leslie I am a naturally nosey person and the idea of an inclusive creative arts group caught my interest. Work in Progress was not what I expected. Although I have performed as a musician since childhood, I am not an actor and I have only ever danced on a good night out in the middle of a crowded dance floor – so the idea of exposing my lack of skills in these areas was terrifying. (No exaggeration!) From day on the inclusive and supportive ethos of the group was evident. Everyone was unsure of something, but we were all willing to admit to our fears and have a go anyway. Because we were all in the same boat everyone both offered and gained support from the group. It is a magical experience. We laugh a great deal every session but we also have a caring group to offer support when life is tough and to take us away from everyday problems for a couple of hours every week. We all learn something each week: from visiting artists, from Leslie, and from each other. We learn so much more than how to perform. Our activities develop trust, confidence, and self-esteem which all help to enhance our lives outside of the group. We are now preparing for our first public Sharing. Who knows how it will go? That's not something that we worry about. Work in Progress is more about the progress we make on the journey than the destination. We will perform, support each other, learn new skills, and make connections – and we will all be proud of our achievements.
Me and My Head
David Waddington
Member
Once there was Mixed feelings Never had trust in humanity Hated myself for years Then one day I suddenly Gained confidence, then trust Set in. I was in dreamland. Then my head broke down Lost who I was Lost friendships who ditched me. They didn’t want to know. I’m completely lost in my head. Confused and dazed Not knowing which way to turn Trusted two friends in my life Now suddenly played with my thoughts and emotions I lost hope and my heart I now live in a bubble Don’t know how to get out. I now live with trust issues. I now have hope again I joined a group Which has given me a Pleasure I’ve not had for a long time Meeting new people who are friendly And a family feel. I go to church Which has given me more of a Better perspective on life. I feel so contented. I realise that life is a work in progress.
Work in Progress
Kay and Louis
Members
Sitting in silence alone on my bed With deep thoughts and feelings going on in my head. The who, how, why, the what and the where I tell them to stop, but they do not care. If you only knew what goes on in my mind Perhaps you would stop for a moment – be kind. Some I can speak of and others not so. If only there was somewhere safe I could go. No questions, bullying, or being unkind, To find things that sit right in my damaged mind. I searched and I searched but always a no. Not with your dog, sorry you cannot go. So I sat on my bed just building a wall. No where to fit in the world, not at all. Then suddenly spotted on Facebook a post Placed there that day by a drama group host. Do I dare send a message, will it be a no? Ok let’s do it, let’s give it a go. The answer a friendly and caring word yes. Come see what we do, please try not to stress. So Louis and I made our way to the door. My legs turned to jelly, I was glued to the floor. Louis looked up at me, his eyes gently said It’s okay mum, so we went straight ahead. There inside was a group so friendly and kind, The fun and the friendship just blew my mind. I found there a safe place with people who care. They even had saved a space and a chair. So now I am home in a place without stress In a powerful group – We are Work in Progress.
“...The Rest was History”!
Toby Fagan
Chair and Co-Founder
Work in Progress came about after talking to Leslie when I muttered the words “why don’t you set up your own group”! That was in 2021(?). What followed was many hours talking on Zoom. There were also MANY hours of “Leslie/Toby Time” sat in my car outside Leslie’s house when I was only meant to be dropping her off at home! We then started looking at all boring bits that we would need (policies, procedures, insurance, blah blah blah…). When all that was in place then came the search of a venue. Good News in the Community offered us the use of their room. Great! But how would we pay? That started many hours of grant funding searches… September 2022 came around, everything was finally in place. All we needed was members… As the saying goes “the rest was history”!