Penryn-based Arts for Health Cornwall has launched a new project offering art courses to people across the county who have learning disabilities.

Journeys of Discovery, which also aims to encourage people into volunteering or employment, is being run in partnership with Volunteer Cornwall. It receives ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence support from a community grant via Cornwall Development Company and is co-financed by the Skills Funding Agency.

The intermediate level course will involve up to 20 participants and takes place weekly until May 26 at Chaos, the recently opened community café in Truro. It includes visiting artists teaching subjects including textiles, sculpture, illustration, film and fine art and there is also funding for two educational trips.

Jayne Howard, director of Arts for Health Cornwall, said: “We designed this course based on consultation with adults with learning disabilities. Adults with mild to moderate needs told us that they needed an opportunity in a supported environment to develop their artistic skills and be challenged creatively. This course offers them an opportunity to try out a wide range of creative media such as sculpture, textiles, photography and printmaking.”

Laura Menzies, project coordinator, added: “It is my hope that Journeys of Discovery will enrich the lives of the participants in a variety of positive ways. As well as learning a range of creative disciplines, participants will also develop transferable life skills.”