OKEHAMPTON Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey made a visit to the Get Changed Theatre Company at the Ockment Centre last week.

Whilst there, she was invited to present certificates of achievement to the theatre company members, all of whom are adults with learning disabilities.

The occasion was in recognition of the group’s achievements in the past year.

Fifteen of the participants also received the Ascentis( AptEd) Entry Level Award in Independent Living. This work was undertaken in partnership and tutored by Learn Devon and covered three units, including developing assertiveness, personal awareness and understanding relationships.

Cllr Goffey praised the participants for their achievements and was pleased to give recognition to their efforts along with thanks to the staff and volunteers.

As a theatre company, Get Changed offers weekly workshops for 45 weeks a year in the Ockment Centre in Okehampton.

Over the past few years participants have had the opportunity for new challenges, new experiences and the opportunity to perform in a variety of spaces and events from Castle Drogo to D’Arts Fest, the Barnfield Theatre, to Plymouth Hoe, not forgetting a home appearance last year at Okehampton’s Battle of the Bands and this year at the Respect Festival in Exeter.

Margaret Conkey, a spokesperson for Get Changed Theatre Company, said: ‘New members are welcome, as are new volunteers, and anyone wanting to know more or attend a taster session can contact info@getchanged. com.’

For more information, visit the website: www.getchanged.com or call in to the Ockment Centre on a Wednesday.

Pictures by James Bird