Shaw Trust delivers the Norfolk Connect service to young people in Norfolk who are at risk of requiring statutory intervention. The service supports them to build resilience and engage in positive activities. Karen Smeed, our Senior Youth Support Worker in Great Yarmouth, has been working closely with the Time and Tide Museum’s Make Yarmouth, an art group to support some of her clients to engage in art. Make Yarmouth is a group for 11-16 year olds and provides the opportunity to get creative and find out about more museums and heritage. The group has been running since 2018 and due to COVID has been delivered virtually using Zoom. Four of the young people Karen supported to engage with the group have now achieved their Arts Award accreditation, well done to Caitlin, Coral. Verity and Jack!
The young people said:
“I am so proud of myself for receiving my art award it is so exciting and fun to achieve something like this.” – Caitlin
“When I first got my certificate, I was jumping with excitement that I achieved this with all of my hard work.” – Coral
“When I saw my Arts Award I thought it was a dream but I can believe it.” – Verity
“I am very proud for getting my Arts Award and it was a big surprise thank you.” – Jack
Karen Smeed, Senior Youth Support Worker said:
“Working closely with Emma and Tricia, Youth Engagement Officers at Time and Tide Museum has been so beneficial. It has enabled us, with changes due to COVID, to continue delivering support to young people on zoom.
I am really pleased to have been able to support these four individuals in their journey. They have demonstrated commitment and resilience and their hard work has paid off.
Art has been a great way to engage with these young people and an opportunity for them to build their confidence and self-esteem, it has been an amazing experience for us all.”
Rob McKenzie, Service Manager said:
“I am really pleased to see that the hard work that Jack, Coral, Verity and Caitlin have put in has been recognised, and they have gained an excellent accreditation, congratulations!
This demonstrates the value of organisations coming together and delivering high quality provision for young people. Karen has been attending the sessions alongside the young people she is supporting to ensure they are comfortable and confident, which has led to a great outcome for these individuals. Karen’s attendance has also supported the museum and their staff team to deliver the programme. A really nice example of partnership, well done.”
The Arts Award moderator said:
“It was great to see that the lockdown restrictions did not restrict the young people’s enjoyment and exploration in the arts. The use of recorded zoom meetings to gather feedback worked well and really added to the reflective personal responses – this was excellent!”
The Museum provided the below overview:
Whilst the group is wide open and welcoming to all, many of our members are referred through youth services because they are struggling with their education, mental health or caring responsibilities. We collaborate closely with Prospects – Shaw Trust youth workers to support members to attend.
Of course, the first national lockdown in March 2020 proved extremely challenging for all of us as we switched to meeting on Zoom. Several members live in digital poverty and didn’t have the means or the support to get online easily. Karen from Prospects even resorted to sitting outdoors with young people in masks in the freezing cold so that they could attend. Gradually, we’ve all adjusted, become ever more resourceful and resilient and the group is thriving again. We currently offer two zoom sessions a week for youngsters from all over the county!
So, it is with delight that we are celebrating the achievements of four of our dedicated members Caitlin, Coral, Jack and Verity. Last summer they completed a six week ‘Typology’ module to fulfil the criteria of the Bronze Arts Award. They explored photography, zine making and 3D mini museum displays, researched artists, reviewed online exhibitions and shared skills with each other to achieve their Award.