This month we are focusing on youth provision, and have perspectives from two colleagues working in different ways in the youth sector, across music and visual art. Tina Ramdeen, Associate Director of Young People at the Roundhouse in London, reflects on what can happen when youth work is fully embedded within an arts organisation; and Manchester-based artist and creative practitioner, Kirsty Gbasai, shares her experience as creative practitioner and community artist in a youth centre in Bolton.
As well as leading the Roundhouse’s youth programming, Tina is a Trustee of CLA and of Camden Spark (Camden’s Local Cultural Education Partnership). She is passionate about empowering young people to use creativity to affect social change.
Kirsty works in the art room at BLGC, a children’s and young person’s charity that has been serving the local community of Bolton for more than 130 years. BLGC was the blueprint for the growing network of 15 youth centres (called Youth Zones) developed by national youth charity OnSide.
Tina Ramdeen on why youth work is so important for the Roundhouse
Equality of access to arts and culture is essential for personal, social and emotional development, providing young people with skills for life and for work – it cannot be contained entirely by the rigour and restrictions of formal education. Arts, culture and heritage are widely recognised across the youth sector as effective tools for engagement, to unlock conversations, explore topics and discuss emotions. Traditionally, creative opportunities supported by experienced youth workers take place within youth clubs and community settings: however, the Roundhouse has flipped this model on its head by embedding the principles and practice of youth work directly within a creative setting, enabling young people to feel safe, thrive and have their voices heard.
Roundhouse is a creative hub that works directly with and for young people – it also happens to be one of the most iconic music and performing arts venues in the UK. Directly underneath the main performance space is a creative youth club with 26 studio spaces, designated solely for young people to use seven days per week, in addition to a new creative centre for young people which opened on the same site last year. Alongside this we provide a holistic package of support for young people, led by qualified youth workers and industry-experienced artistic and technical teams within a one-stop provision. Rather than see youth work as a discrete service that is bought-in or bolted-on, youth work is an intrinsic part of our work, embedding an in-house team of youth work practitioners, mentors and peer groups, alongside high quality creative practice.
As a youth work professional I have had the privilege of working in a range of formal and non/in-formal learning settings, where I have seen first-hand the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth work in all shapes and guises. I am passionate about youth work in non-traditional youth work settings, to meet the needs of young people today, as well as their aspirations for the future – and the Roundhouse brings this to life, day in, day out.
A 14-year-old chooses to bring their friends to use our band rehearsal or music production studios independently, as something to do after school. Whilst using the studios they feel vibrations through the ceilings and walls – one of their favourite bands just happens to be playing a gig to an audience of 3,000 directly above their heads. There is an instant connection: the buzz and energy of the creative environment; the proximity to the realisation of a dream that is within the walls; and a heightened awareness of career opportunities within a wider industry. It’s within these moments engulfed in creativity that youth work is amplified to connect the reality of a young person’s ‘now’ to their dreams/potential of their future.
Creativity is exploring, testing, failing and trying again, as we deepen our connection and understanding of the world around us – we all need to feel safe and supported to truly express ourselves creatively. High-quality creative experiences combined with youth work enables young people to learn new skills, embrace passions and develop a sense of identity and independence as they transition into adulthood. This unique methodology has deepened the professional practice of both youth workers and creative practitioners/industry professionals, establishing a collaborative approach to utilising creativity to enhance pastoral support, and embedding holistic care into creative practices.
Participation/Youth Voice represents one of the four cornerstones of youth work to support young people to become leaders in their own learning. However the benefits of this approach reaches far beyond young people themselves. Key to the success of the Roundhouse, as a world-renowned cultural venue, is that we are led by the views and opinions of young people through our formal youth governance structure. We have three young people on our Board of Trustees and a Youth Advisory Board. They are involved in decision-making processes across the organisation; we also use our public-facing creative platforms to profile and champion the voice of young people. Our Youth Governance structure not only shapes the Roundhouse that we know today, it ensures the evolution and relevance of the Roundhouse for tomorrow.
There is an urgent need to increase opportunities for young people to access high-quality creative opportunities outside of school. All national/government-funded youth provision should embrace a range of quality Expressive Arts activities as a key enrichment strand with opportunities for progression in partnership with the cultural sector. Youth Work in creative settings changes lives, increasing a sense of wellbeing and positive mental health, whilst also promoting aspiration – providing high-quality resources and experiences for young people to learn and feel connected to the creative industries.
Kirsty Gbasai on the importance of visual art in youth provision settings
Making a mess is always encouraged in my art room. It opens a conversation where I can ask a young person, ‘How are you feeling?’ It helps them become aware of their emotions; they’ll talk about them and grow an understanding of why they feel that way instead of ignoring it. They can also see that something positive and beautiful can be created from their negative emotions. Art is all about creative expression and communication. But very few of us are taught how to express our feelings – I work to equip young people with this skill through art.
I’ve always loved art, but coming from a working-class background, I was told to ‘Get a real job!’ But to me, engaging in art isn’t about becoming a famous artist, it’s about using creative energy to express yourself and the art is a result of that expression. It’s important to challenge these assumptions and empower and support young people to pursue their passions and express themselves creatively – regardless of what career path they choose. BLGC and all youth centres across the OnSide network use a ‘Try, Train, Team’ approach, which encourages and supports young people to engage in activities at a comfortable pace. Firstly, young people are invited to try their hand at an activity. If they enjoy it, they can develop their skills with the support of coaches, and they can take their passions further by showcasing their talents in the local community.
I love working at BLGC because I get to know the young people well and see their progress first-hand. I’ve seen young people improve in school, their social skills grow and confidence blossom because of art. There are so many stories but one that sticks to mind is a young person who used to sit outside the room for weeks. I invited him into the room and since then he has come in every week. He’s hugely talented and other young people have become inspired and amazed at his art. His mum has shared with us that before coming to BLGC he was isolated, not really engaging with anyone and spending most of his time, outside of attending his special educational needs school, alone. But since he’s started coming to the art room, a light has come on in him and his confidence has grown. Now he’s talking about his work, making friends, participating in other activities and joining other groups. He has also been part of an exhibition and is due to create a mural in the art room. I feel proud that BLGC makes creativity and art accessible for all young people, including those with additional needs, as otherwise, he’d have continued to feel isolated at home.
It’s so important for young people’s mental health to have access to spaces where their creativity is nurtured, respected and not assessed, where they can try different creative arts activities, sports, and well-being activities. Engaging with art is so rewarding, and it’s heart-breaking that so many children miss out on access to art and culture due to lack of opportunity, financial reasons or feeling that they aren’t ‘good at art’ at school and that art isn’t for them. Every child should have the chance to engage with culture and to use their creativity to express themselves through art making, as it offers enormous benefits to overall confidence and well-being which has an impact on all areas of life.
Image credit: Young People’s Programme at the Roundhouse
