Cirkus Bombastico Fokus
Country
Czech Republic
Description
This Circus is a kind of one-shot activity, which is at the same time more individually focused at the characteristic and possibilities of the client who takes part in the project. It offers effective therapy by circus. It provides an opportunity of presenting the inner world of clients in an acceptable and comprehensible way. During the training, the therapists make use of the individual talents of each client; roles and character are chosen through which this special talent is present in an original way.
Aims
The goal of this project is to connect the world of people with mental health problems and of whole society and the de-stigmatisation of mental health problems. There are also partial goals therapeutical and rehabilitational a combination of ergo therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, dance and movement therapy, music therapy and narrative therapy in the group or for individuals.
Areas
Health, Social services
Effectiveness
The project started in 1998, and it takes place approx. 3-4 times a year. 16-25 clients join in, 4 therapists of Fokus, 4 external lectors and musicians. There are 50-120 spectators at performances.
Sustainability
Financial instruments are gathered from grants and funding.
Innovation
Non-traditional approach to treatment of mental illness. It is realized in the form of a week-long stay out of the traditional institution. Clients and therapists practice together components of the show, they make masks, costumes, they learn how to operate with fire, etc. Clients are also participating at organising this stay. It finishes with a public performance - and the important appreciation and acceptance by the public.
Added Value
The project combines elements of expressive therapies in the approach to clients (it connects ergo therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, dance and movement therapy). The presence of family members as spectators during the performance is at the same time part of a family therapy, where the client shows himself in role unknown and undiscovered by the family. Rehearsal and training for the performance is at the same time rehearsal of practical and communication skills.
Transferability
The Circus is led by an international team of German and Czech lectors. The connection of the Czech and German world gives great benefit to the project. Art and creativity is a common language, which opens field for deepening and increasing cooperation between providers of social services in the area of mental health care in the Czech Republic and in Germany.
Mainstreaming Potential
Public performances are always organised with the cooperation of local authorities (promotion of performance, help with organisation etc.). This cooperation at the same time fulfills the goal of the project in terms of de-stigmatisation. Participation of the Circus at a festival in Germany in 2002 and 2005 was a great evaluation of the clients' work in the international sphere.
Costs of the Project
The Circus is financed from grants and funding.
People involved in the Project (number of people and profession)
1 leader of the atelier in Fokus Praha
1 coordinator cooperating with co-workers from the community center Fokus Praha - these are three therapists who know the clients from therapeutics programs. The author of the basic idea of the performance is a German co-worker and leader of the Circus. In the German team there are two more therapists
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Project
Strengths: the project's uniqueness, work in the community, a good idea and inspiration for similar bridging activities, dimension of de-stigmatisation.
Weakness: it is focused only on a small group of clients.