Blue Cabin worked with Darlington Virtual School to facilitate creative opportunities and mentoring for care-experienced children and young people.
Darlington Virtual School works with care-experienced children and young people aged from two to post-16 to help them reach their full potential. The Virtual School is part of the local authority and works with a range of professionals and educational settings to secure the best outcomes for looked-after children.
We planned to begin the project with an exploration day for young people aged between seven and 11, in the beautiful and inspiring spaces of Theatre Hullabaloo and Darlington Hippodrome, with opportunities to take part in drama, visual arts and Arts Award activities.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the project had to be re-imagined…
A fabulous team of creative practitioners (artist Nicola Golightly, Pady O’Connor of Meemee Theatre, Michelle Wood of Seatern Print, Elena Miller of Star Bright Arts and Alison McGowan of Puppet Ship CiC) helped us create activity packs that care-experienced children and young people could use in their homes.
Bursting with imagination and creativity, the packs included ‘make and do’ activities for children and their foster families to try together, including puppet theatre, drama games and dream catcher crafts.
More than 100 packs were delivered to children and young people across Darlington.
Three young people were also matched with a creative mentor, who supported them on their journey of discovery in using the arts. Mentoring sessions took place online and were relaxed and fun.
“…(P) enjoyed trying new things and doing the activities together…felt it had developed the communication with carer and young person.” Gill Etherington, Darlington Virtual School..."
We would love to talk with you about bringing Cool Things to your local authority, virtual school or setting.
Email jenny@wearebluecabin.com to arrange a cuppa and a conversation.
