We’ve got some fantastic local news for you today for a change, as we have been told that the Conwy Arts Trust, which was established in 2013 to support and promote the arts in the county of Conwy, has been awarded a grant of £97,944 over the next three years by BBC Children in Need.
This amazing amount will fund Creu/Create, who help to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people right here in North Wales.
Create, an arts project that has been running since 2014 at Venue Cymru, provides opportunities for young people age 12 to 16 who are experiencing mental health or emotional difficulties. Participants, who attend Create fortnightly, engage with a range of arts genres from poetry to graffiti to opera singing. They learn new skills and improve their confidence, creativity and engagement skills.
[clickToTweet tweet=”.@conwyartstrust awarded £97,944 by @BBCCiN” quote=”Conwy Arts Trust awarded £97,944 by BBC Children in Need”]With the support of the Create staff, participants also attend theatre shows during the year, something which can be daunting for them.
The project aims to improve the mental wellbeing of young people, increase their engagement and give them new skills that will help them express themselves and that are transferable to their school and home environment.
Participants are referred by their mental health practitioner, school-based counselling and Social Services.
With the support of Children in Need Creu/Create will be able to continue with the project for a further three years, giving much-needed support to young people who are experiencing a range of difficulties in their lives.
“we are very grateful for the support of BBC Children in Need which will enable us to continue to provide this vital group that has made a huge difference to the lives of many young people” ~ Dilwyn Price, Chair of the Conwy Arts Trust
BBC Children in Need is currently supporting c.2,600 projects that are working with children and young people facing a range of disadvantages or challenges in their lives such as, poverty and deprivation; abuse or neglect or any kind of disability.
“The Create project is the perfect example of how accessing community-based activities can make a real difference to the emotional well-being of young people. The support offered by the staff at Create allows young people to take part in something they would otherwise find difficult to access due to their emotional mental health needs. The activities young people engage in at the project are tailored to build confidence and self-esteem in an environment that is inclusive and empowering. We have worked alongside staff at the project since the beginning; a real example of working in partnership for the benefit of young people living in Conwy” ~ Fiona Holden, Principal Psychological Therapist: CAMHS
A Create participant recently stated “I’ve done something this evening, I thought I’d never do – I made a friend”
Create is run in partnership with Venue Cymru which is operated by Colwyn County Borough Council, CAMHS and Conwy County Borough Council.
BBC Children in Need, who’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential, funding relies on the energy and commitment of thousands of fundraisers and supporters across the UK who donate their time and money to support the Appeal. Whether it’s cake sales, wearing pyjamas to school or having a song and dance, every penny of the money raised goes towards supporting projects across the UK.
All grants go to projects working with children and young people living in the UK who may be affected by homelessness, neglect, abuse or poverty, or those who have faced challenges in their lives such as serious illness, disabilities and psychological disorders.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
