Frome S.O.D.A (Society for disabled artists) is a branch of National S.O.D.A, a registered charity, number 278870.

(If you want any information about National S.O.D.A then please contact Brian Roberts-Wray (National Chairman) 01749 672649 or Derek Marjoram (Deputy Chairman & General Secretary) 01953 850381)

The Frome group is assisted by a rota of professional tutors and is run by two volunteers and a committee of members.

The group meet weekly in the local community college. The meetings give an opportunity for artistic expression and socialisation for people of all ages from Frome and its surrounding villages, who have physical disabilities which make it difficult for them to attend standard day and evening classes. The age range of our members is wide and they have a variety of physical problems resulting - for example - from strokes to multiple sclerosis. The main painting medium used is watercolour, but some people also work in acrylics and pastels.

Frome itself is a busy market town of 26,000 inhabitants on the edge of the Mendip hills in Somerset. It has winding, hilly, mediaeval streets with the ages of its houses ranging from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, as well as a variety of more modern buildings. The town has more listed buildings than any other place in Somerset.

There is a thriving artistic community and a well established tradition of craftsmanship. Originally Frome was a wool town but it is also famous for the bronze 'Statue of Justice' on top of the Old Bailey and 'Boudicca' in front of the Houses of Parliament. Both statues were made in Frome.

In July 2001 the town hosted its first 'Frome Festival', which is to become an annual event. The members of SODA mounted a successful exhibition of their work at the festival.