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In February 2025, six young people from Nottingham achieved their Arts Award Discover after a day of acting, mask-making and performance.
The group, who were all aged between 11 and 14, took part in trauma-informed activities facilitated by Blue Cabin associate artist, Pady O’Connor, who is an actor, director and international teacher of theatre at MeeMee Theatre.
Surrounded by vintage suitcases full of scarves, waistcoats, sunglasses, horns, and lots of other interesting props, the young people learnt about characterisation, drama and play. They tried mask-making and mime, and interviewed Pady about his career as a professional artist.
In the afternoon, they spent time together updating their Arts Award booklets where they recorded what they had learnt and reflected on what they had achieved.
All six participants successfully achieved their Arts Award Discover!
In early 2026, year 6 and year 7 children took part in a day-long pop-up print studio with Blue Cabin associate artists Nic Golightly and Michelle Wood.
They learnt new skills in printmaking and graphic art – and also worked towards achieving an Arts Award Discover accreditation.
The day was also designed to support the transition to secondary school by helping the children build confidence and new relationships.
The following is based on the first phase of the project, which took place in 2025.
The project was designed to help the young people:
Several young people grew in confidence through their participation. One individual, in particular, shared that they were initially hesitant to join in at the beginning of the day. However, by the end, they worked well with others, expressed their thoughts and opinions, and happily engaged in the activities.
Another young person wasn’t going to attend, but said at the end they were really glad they did, and shared with a staff member that they had had a brilliant time. Staff from Blue Cabin and Nottingham Virtual School enjoyed seeing the individual personalities of young people emerge throughout the day.
“I had really, really good fun. This was my first time and I wasn’t nervous at the end.”
2. Build positive relationships with others
The young people were supported in building positive relationships with others including their peers and staff from Blue Cabin and Nottingham Virtual School. This was made possible as a result of the facilitated activities and spaces for breaks and lunch. Two young people knew each other from school, but otherwise, the young people did not know each other.
The young people responded well to Pady, and felt comfortable to interview him about being an artist and thanked him at the end of the day, saying goodbye as they left.
A memorable moment happened when group members discovered that they all lived with carers. This revelation sparked a conversation that made everyone feel comfortable and safe. As a result, they fully engaged in the activities together. In a short time, they developed strong relationships and formed a wonderful group.
“I enjoyed the acting and working with new people.”
“I enjoyed performing with N as a pair.”
“I was acting to be a bank robber with my new friend!”
“I had really, really good fun. This was my first time and I wasn’t nervous at the end.”
3. Take part in creative activities and develop creative skills
Every young person took part in creative activities and developed creative skills. In their Arts Award logbooks, the young people reflected on what they had enjoyed and learnt.
“I shared my acting with Pady and he told me I was brilliant when I peeped around the corner.”
4. Achieve Arts Award Discover
Every member of the group achieved Arts Award Discover.
Arts Award gives children and young people the opportunity to participate in and lead arts and cultural activity – and achieve a nationally-recognised qualification at the same time.
Blue Cabin has worked with lots of Virtual Schools to deliver Arts Award in a trauma informed way.
We’ve designed a range of options which Virtual Schools can choose from, ranging from one-day sessions through to term-long programmes.
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