We co-design creative, safe spaces with young people and embed them in Barnet's most isolated communities, giving them access to creative skills training and wrap-around support. In our main hub, we run a weekly nail bar, a music studio and a design studio where young people can get education/employment support and work towards qualifications (Arts Awards). Embedded in the spaces are specialist mentors who provide support around mental health, abuse, violence and other risks.
25% of Barnet's young people live in poverty, often in deprived areas which lack local facilities and access to creative and learning opportunities. Access to them is particularly difficult due to the borough's overall prosperity, so there is less affordable provision. Public funding cuts have reduced support for those who struggle due to unstable home lives, abuse and neglect and are affected by youth violence, often as victims, giving them poor chances in life and to develop their talent.
We bring high-quality creative opportunities and support to Barnet's young people on their doorstep. They have access to safe and inspiring spaces where they learn creative skills and connect with the creative industries. They receive support tailored to their individual needs from trained specialists, e.g. improve their mental well-being, access/navigate services, and sustain in education to get themselves into a place to work towards a positive future.
By upgrading and extending our main creative space in Barnet, 200 excluded young people will have access to high-quality creative opportunities and a safe, trusted space and support 46 weeks of the year. They will build their personal capabilities (resilience, self-esteem, wellbeing and relationships), educational/employment capabilities and technical skills, improving their life chances, enabling them to succeed in education and move into training/employment.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
