FAQ - Joining in

We invite you to make a donation if you attend a group or workshop. You can donate what you decide. If you can afford to donate more, you are opening the door to others who can’t afford to pay. All our groups rely on grant funding and donations.

Suggested donation rates are given on our movement and dance group pages and visual art groups here and we value in-kind support and energy exchange. Please feel free to contact a group leader to discuss anything.

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Wear (comfortable) clothes that you can move and dance in. Some community halls can be a bit chilly, so layers are recommended. You can wear two or three layers at the beginning to keep warm and take off a layer or two as you warm up.

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Just bring yourself and, if you can, your weekly donation to the group (please visit group pages under movement and dance for information on donation amounts).

If you need to bring something to support your health, such as an inhaler, bring that too.

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Our goal is to keep our dance and movement groups going indefinitely wherever possible. We believe in dependable, long-running groups where people can grow creatively in their own time, rather than short term interventions. One of our groups has been running for over thirty years, and some for more than ten.

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If you are unable to leave your house, we currently have a number of weekly creative Zoom sessions online. These Zoom alternatives are listed on the group pages for movement and dance and for art, where you can also find contact details to get in touch with us.

Our Shallal Sketchbooks project is purpose built to connect creatively with people at home. If you aren't able to access the internet, this programme is an ideal way to start, or re-discover, a creative journey at home and get to know Shallal.

We will always run one weekly dance zoom in term time.

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No. You are welcome to drop in and come whenever suits you. It may be that sometimes you can't come because of your own health, or because you are caring for someone else. Don't worry; it doesn't matter how long it is since you last came, we'd still love to see you again.

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All of our groups take place in accessible buildings with accessible toilets.

Our visual art studio is a level-access, ground floor studio, close to an accessible toilet and accessible parking. We have adjustable height tables, chairs that offer proper support and an accessible sink.

Our aim is for all Shallal performances and exhibitions to be in accessible venues.

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Most of our groups are open to children and babies. Please browse the join in options to see which groups.

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Yes of course, all our advertised groups are open. You are really welcome to bring a family member or friend along to join in.

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Please come with ‘adequate’ support for your needs. If you need a support worker/s in the community, then they will need to come with you to Shallal’s groups and activities.

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Please check with the group leader as some people in our groups can find dogs frightening, so it may not be possible to bring your dog. However, if you have a sight impairment and need to come with your guide dog, or if you have a therapy dog, please contact us.

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Shallal is a Cornish word meaning 'making an almighty din'.
It was defined as a "band of musicians with kettles, pans and tea trays" (A.K.H Jenkin Cornwall and its People 1945:242)
Also, a ‘Shallal-band' means a 'clashing of tin pans to serenade newly-weds’.

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