Young care leavers make their mark with artistic project
Local care leavers have been developing their artistic talents and creating a vibrant new space for young people in Leamington.
Thanks to a £1280 grant from Warwickshire’s Youth Opportunity Fund, ten young people aged from 16 – 19 have been learning a range of artistic skills to transform a disused basement room at Newbold Lodge into a colourful, communal space.
The young people, most of whom have experience of being in care, worked under the expert eye of local artist Richard Inwood who specialises in graffiti art techniques.
The young people, who came up with the idea and put in the successful bid themselves, wanted to redesign and redecorate a vacant space to create a young person friendly area which could also be used for meetings and drop-in sessions.
Zoe Reidy and Laura Simpson, Leaving Care Cordinators for Warwickshire County Council, said: “This is a great example of what can be achieved by young people for young people and we are extremely proud of the young care leavers who wanted to make a difference through this project.
"Richard Inwood has encouraged the participants to use their artistic skills wisely in order to personalise and take pride in their environment, as well as promoting a responsible graffiti art message.”
The young people’s own designs for the project were be based around the five ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes for young people; being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and achieving economic wellbeing.
The walls will also display anti-drink and drugs messages as well as information about being responsible about sexual health.
Newbold Lodge is a Christian Alliance housing project in Leamington that offers supported accommodation for young people aged 16+ who are learning to live independently. Newbold Lodge teamed up with the South Warwickshire Care Leaver’s Forum, which is coordinated by the county council, to support the project.
Richard Inwood is an experienced community artist who has worked with many different groups of young people on major projects.
He specialises in graffiti art, murals and canvasses, and much of his work is on show in and around the Midlands area. He also produces imaginative and graphic works for magazines, and has had exhibitions of his works in the town.
The ‘Youth Opportunity Fund’ is a DCSF initiative operated through Warwickshire County Council’s Children, Young People and Families Directorate. The aim of the Youth Opportunity Fund is to involve young people, especially those who are hard to reach, in identifying positive activities and things to do.
A panel of 50 young people in Warwickshire are involved as decision makers, grant givers and project leaders for the fund. Application packs are available by calling Warwickshire County Council on 01926 742498.