WILTSHIRE based arts charity visited Isambard Community School last week to lead a workshop along the theme of hare crime.

On Monday, October 12 Reach Inclusive Arts, which was established in 1983 and supports learning disabled people as well as those who have used mental health services, visited the school to perform four separate shows to Year 7 pupils.

The performances were based on the theme of hate crimes and the actors, all of whom have disabilities, have experienced hate crimes at some point in their lives.

The following day, the company came back into school and led a workshop with 20 GCSE Drama students from Isambard and 22 youngsters from Uplands School. Uplands and Isambard share the North Swindon Learning Campus.

Simon Flowerdew from Isambard said: "It was great to see all the students working so well together. I was extremely proud of how well our Isambard students helped their Upland friends by using their own drama knowledge and skills. We were delighted to be able to facilitate the event. It was so great to explore the theme of learning difficulties with those who have experienced them and to see life through their eyes."

Reach aims to create a lasting impression with its shows, informing audiences about the issue of hate crime and promoting tolerance.

To find out more about Reach Inclusive Arts visit www.facebook.com/pages/Reach-Inclusive-Arts.