Search our website. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch at: hello@wearebluecabin.com.
In summer 2024, children from Gateshead Virtual School worked with professional artists to invent characters and worlds from their imaginations, get an insight into creative careers, and find out about their local cultural venues. Gateshead Virtual School head teacher, Adele Brown, shares her perspective on the impact these trauma informed, creative activities have had.
Supporting our care experienced children to participate in this project allowed them the opportunity to dip their toes in the creative arts sector. The arts can be a fantastic way to engage children and help them channel their lived experiences through the power of creativity and in a safe and boundaried way.
Creativity is a useful tool when working with any child or young person, but care experienced children can sometimes feel different from their peer group and potentially struggle with their sense of self and their identity. This project encouraged them to explore who they are, tap into skills they didn’t know they had and engage in something that focused on their future. The power of the creative arts can be truly life changing.
Our overall hope was that the children engaged well and enjoyed the project. We hoped that children would become more engaged and excited by art and creativity.
Forging strong relationships with their peers was also something we hoped would be a strong outcome and I am pleased to say it was. When the group first came together they had never met one another and to look at them now, you would think they had long-standing friendships.
We also hoped that their general confidence would be improved and they would develop inner strength to ask questions, be curious and voice their insight and opinions, stepping out of their comfort zone, taking some risks within the safety of arts, creativity and play.
The impact was absolutely phenomenal. One young person’s carer was worried they would not engage, and actually waited in the car in case they needed to take them home on the first day. However, to our delight the young person built a fantastic relationship with Blue Cabin Associate Artist Pady. The young person was fully accepted for who they were and given a clear role in the group, this helped them establish a strong sense of belonging, really feeling they were part of something very special.
Another example was when one young person presented as very shy and quiet. Over the duration of the project they developed their confidence and through the drama they really found their voice. They used imaginative role play to create an animated character who was full of personality and humour. The young person’s carers were blown away by the final performance and they are now looking for local drama and acting lessons for the young person.
The group as a whole really grew over their time together and those strong relationships – both with their peers and with the artists – were an absolute delight to watch blossom.
It has been incredible watching the children develop and thrive over the duration of the project. Watching their personalities become more open to the performance work and seeing their self-esteem and confidence grow was a genuinely moving experience.
Another key factor has been watching friendships develop; a few young people found out they would be attending the same school the following year and lasting bonds were formed.
The children were thrilled to receive an Arts Award for their work. Sometimes our children, due to their lived experiences, can view education through a lens of negativity, so for the young people to be celebrated and applauded through the Arts Award, really was an important element for them, and us. What made it even more special was seeing this achievement celebrated with their carers and families; a shared joy established through participation in the project.
It has been incredible to collaborate with Blue Cabin and the relationships have been built on trust, playing to our strengths and having fun! The Virtual School and Blue Cabin team were fantastic role models for the children and supported them to develop experiences that will positively live with them forever.
We have so many ideas and so many things we want to do in partnership with Blue Cabin. We have a couple of projects in the pipeline so watch this space!
One thing is for sure though, this project has made such a positive impact on the lives of these young people that we simply have to spread the joy to as many of our children as possible. We are really looking forward to continuing our arts journey together.
Thank you to Adele and everyone at Gateshead virtual school for partnering with Blue Cabin!
Blue Cabin has created four Arts Award packages for virtual schools. These include one-day sessions through to half-term and term-long programmes, aimed at pupils aged from five to 13. Find out more>>
