From 16th – 21st February, young carers from the Carers’ Centre will be working with charity Create during their half-term break to produce their own film with live soundtrack.
Create’s professional film maker Aoife Twomey and musicians Aga Serugo-Lugo and Alvin Ryan will work with the young people on an intensive six-day project, art:space, to give them a creative break from their caring responsibilities that will help to build their self-esteem and enable them to develop trusting relationships with their peers.
The young carers will be showcasing their film accompanied with live music on Saturday 21st February at SouthGate Bath.
British Land has been one of Create’s partners since the charity was founded in 2003 and this is the first time that the award-winning art:space project for young carers is being extended to Bath.
Young carers are children and young people who provide ongoing care and emotional support for a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances.
Young carers can care for up to 50 hours a week and therefore miss out on social, educational and cultural opportunities that may be available to their peers.
Caring can be very isolating, stressful and exhausting – particularly for young people and children.
More than half of young carers don’t feel supported and two thirds are bullied at school, meaning that projects like these are essential in enabling them to develop trusting relationships and to feel part of a community.
Create uses the creative arts to enable young carers and other disadvantaged children and adults to develop new skills, connect with each other, express themselves and be heard.
Create’s co-founder and Chief Executive Nicky Goulder commented: “Young carers often experience isolation, bullying and miss out on opportunities.
“We’re delighted that British Land is enabling us to extend our award-winning art:space programme to young carers in Bath and NE Somerset.
“I can’t wait to see the film and music that they create and hope this experience will enable them to make new friends, develop new skills and increase their confidence.”
Roy Maguire, Young Carers’ Senior Officer, said: “The Young Carers’ service is really grateful for our young people to be given this exciting opportunity to make this film.
“This is a chance for them to highlight their creative flair, express themselves and raise awareness of what a young carer is.”
Simon Pullen, General Manager at SouthGate Bath added: “We at SouthGate Bath are really pleased and excited to be supporting such a worthwhile initiative for such a remarkable group of young people.
“Through our Client, we are able to work with the young carers and give them the chance to express themselves and create a piece of work that we can all be proud. I’m really looking forward to working with them and to seeing the end product”.
art:space is running from 16-21 February 2015.
