Animation Project with Autistic Young People
Mansfield As We See It
Mansfield As We See It is a digital art and animation project I created and managed for Mansfield District Council Cultural Services, exploring Mansfield through the perspectives of young people on the autistic spectrum.
Working in collaboration with animation artist Sophie Johnson-Hill of SOJO Animation, I developed and delivered a programme of nine creative workshops with participants from the Spectrum WASP group. The workshops were designed to give young people the space, tools and confidence to express how they experience Mansfield, using drawing, character creation and music to explore their thoughts, emotions and everyday interactions with the town.
Sophie guided the group through the animation process, supporting participants to develop original characters and narratives shaped by their own lived experiences. These ideas came together in a seven-minute animated film, An Ordinary Day in Mansfield. The film is participant-led, insightful and often playful, offering an honest and engaging perspective on autism and place.
The project culminated in a red carpet screening at Mansfield Palace Theatre, celebrating the achievements of the young people involved. The animation was later included in the Better by Change exhibition at Mansfield Museum, which explores disability and representation, and was also selected for the Mansfield Town Film Festival, where it received an award nomination.
Produced as part of Mansfield District Council’s National Portfolio Organisation funding from Arts Council England, the project demonstrates my approach to inclusive digital practice, co-creation and amplifying underrepresented voices through creative technology.