31^st January 2019: An exhibition which gives an insight into an aspiring artist overcoming learning difficulties has been highly acclaimed by visitors.

The thought-provoking work by Teamwork Trust member, Jonathan Reynolds is on display at The Rooftop Arts Centre until 2^nd February, alongside ‘Corby Totems’ – a digital art project by disabled artist, Jason Wilsher-Mills.

Statues, puppets, emotive poems and drawings are among the pieces created by Jonathan, themed mostly around how his Development Delay Disorder affects his life and the personal issues that causes.

Some of the inspiring work was as part of Jonathan’s involvement in 'Picture the Difference' community arts project, while other pieces were his own inspirations.

Jonathan said: “I had lots of help from my Teamwork Trust mentor, Samantha, and Jason Wilsher-Mills to put my exhibition together. We talked lots about how to make sure the art showed people that disabilities are not always obvious and how they can affect mental health and wellbeing. I am really pleased to hear that visitors like it so much. My work means a lot to me and helps me overcome some of my feelings. I hope it helps other people who feel angry or scared at times too.”

Jonathan is currently on a Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership-funded project to help adults with learning difficulties into employment. He has also completed a similar project - SEMLEP’s ‘Building Better Opportunities’, funded through the European Social Fund and the National Lottery's Big Lottery Fund – and worked with other organisations including Screen Northants.

Samantha Farrow, working mentor and project lead, said: “At Teamwork Trust we actively bid to lead on projects so that our members benefit from additional support. My work with Jonathan has focused on helping him become job-ready and has only been possible because of these funded initiatives, our work with other partner organisations and through our involvement with Jason Wilsher-Mills. Jonathan has blossomed with every opportunity and this exhibition is testament to how far he has come. To be receiving such positive feedback from members of the public about his amazing work encourages him to do more. We can’t wait to see what other imaginative masterpieces Jonathan creates and there are even more planned activities with Jason in the coming year, which we are all very excited about.”