A Riverside Route with Project Choice and Susan Mulholland

Looking back on this wonderful collaboration, we are delighted to share A Riverside Route audio piece more widely. The project brought students, staff and artist Susan Mulholland together in a creative exploration of Gateshead Riverside Park, and we're pleased that this work can now reach a wider audience. 

Before you listen, just a quick note: at one point in the recording a student's voice drops a little. We're sorry if it's hard to hear, but it was part of a valuable learning journey for everyone and we hope it doesn't distract from the story. 

If you want to discover more about our journey toward making this piece read on... 

Gateshead Arts Development Team commissioned writer and creative producer Susan Mulholland to work with students from Project Choice (opens new window) at Gateshead College back in 2024. 

Curriculum Leader (SEND) Kloe Wilson identified a group of young men she felt would enjoy producing something creative and audio-based. They had a range of needs including ASD, ADHD and other learning disabilities  

The students taking part enjoyed six structured sessions with Susan. Activities ranged from a research walk, sensory tasks, writing prompts and games, to recording and editing audio with technical support. 

During the project, several young writers took their creativity further, producing additional work outside the sessions, showing genuine investment and ownership. We found giving each student their own journals worked really well. They became a source of pride, and a space for solo creativity when group work was overwhelming.  

At the end of the project, some of the group described the riverside as beautiful. This is especially meaningful given that unfamiliar places can sometimes feel less welcoming to individuals with ASD. One student even described the space as "outstandingly beautiful". 

The group did, however, reflect on potential improvements, including better maintenance and care by those who manage and use the space. We hope that if they have revisited the area more recently, they'll be pleased to see the progress that has been made to improve the Riverside Park. 

Most of all, we invite you to experience the riverside through their eyes. Take a walk and listen to A Riverside Route in the very place that inspired it.