Warrington Borough Council and partners are making sure children and young people stay connected to creativity by delivering special ‘Let’s Create’ packs across the borough.
The council has received Arts Council England funding to provide art supplies and creative materials with the support of Curious Minds, a north west organisation which connects arts, culture and education.
The packs are being distributed to 300 children and young people in Warrington who are most in need of a creative boost.
Working in partnership with the council’s young people’s services, WIRED Young Carers and Homestart Warrington, the initiative aims to help young people stay creative and feel good.
The ‘Let’s Create’ packs contain a variety of creative materials including coloured pencils, sketch books, glue sticks and a pack of craft materials for making things.
Also included in the packs is a special booklet, designed by local creative Gemma Banks, filled with creative activities to get the young people started. Staff from Fox Wood Special School have contributed ideas to help engage those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Warrington Voluntary Action have also supported the project through a call-out for local people to help put the packs together. There has been an overwhelming response, with over 70 volunteers helping get the packs ready for children.
Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for culture, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin said: “It’s so important that our young people don’t miss out on the health, wellbeing, and educational benefits of creativity while away from school.
“I hope the Let’s Create Packs will give young people a real creative boost. They are jam-packed with art supplies and activities, ideal for the summer months.
“We are really grateful for the support of WIRED Young Carers, Homestart Warrington and Warrington Voluntary Action on this project. It’s a great example of how, working together, we can make a real difference to young people and keep them connected to culture.
Young people will also be able to earn an award while getting creative at home, by taking part in Discover at Home. This is a special version of the ‘Arts Award Discover’ project, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak. The first level of Arts Award, it is a great way to introduce children to the world of arts and culture, and a springboard to the other levels of Arts Award.
Discover at Home enables children to be rewarded for the creative activities they enjoy and supports them to connect with local museums, theatres and arts activities online or at home until it’s possible to visit or engage with them again.
The Let’s Create booklets can also be enjoyed by all online and can be found by visiting culturewarrington.org and entering ‘creative arts packs’ into the search box.
For more information about the national ‘Let’s Create’ initiative, visit artscouncil.org.uk/news-and-announcements/staying-creative-helps-us-feel-good
About Arts Award
• Arts Award is a set of qualifications for children and young people up to the age of 25 which supports them to grow as artists and arts leaders.
• It inspires young people to connect with and take part in the wider arts world through participating in arts activities, experiencing arts events, being inspired by artists and their work, leading their own projects and researching career pathways. artsaward.org.uk
• This unique qualification is managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England and is normally available across the UK through schools and Arts Award centres that offer arts activities.
