Throwdown Half Term Project (Splash Arts Cymru)

The half term ‘Throwdown’ project gave young people from across Carmarthenshire the opportunity to work with three professional Arts Care Gofal Celf Artists in a multi arts project involving graffiti, dance and music. Participants not only engaged in developing their dance skills and perfecting difficult moves but as a group they created four music tracks and designed and decorated a wall at the venue which will be a lasting memory of their achievements and hopefully act as a source of inspiration for groups in the future.

Overall, the project had a positive impact on the young people’s personal development, enabling them to try new things, develop a range of skills throughout the week as well as a new way of communicating which motivated the young people leading to an increase in their confidence and self-esteem.  This interpretation was supported in a statement from staff supporting the group… “It was wonderful to see the level of commitment that the young people gave to the project, and it was clear that they got a lot out of it as well. We do hope that they now have a greater appreciation of arts and that this has provided them with another avenue for the future. Feedback from the young people was overwhelmingly positive, many of them asking for more projects like this to be run during school holidays.”

Barnardos

Over the years, Arts Care Gofal Celf have kindly received funding from Carmarthenshire County Councils Arts and Leisure Department enabling us to support vulnerable young people through Barnardos young carers by providing them with the enriching opportunity to work with professional artists in a range of activities over the summer break. The benefits of such work have been stated and confirmed year after year by artist’s feedback as well as observations and comments made by support staff.

The Childrens services manager commented:
“Over the years, the Arts Care summer programme has been of enormous benefit to our young carers. Young carers have been able to learn new skills, increase their confidence and benefit from team building opportunities. The artists have been fantastic at working with young people with low self esteem and encouraging them to reach their full potential. Many of the young carers that we support are bullied and/or self harm and they have found other ways of expressing themselves using an artistic medium. Without the Arts Care funding, we as a service would be unable to fund these sessions and the young people would miss out on these valuable opportunities. The majority of the young carers live in abject poverty, are socially isolated and would not be able to enjoy these activities as part of their family/social life.”

Below are just some of the images from previous summer programmes:
 

Community Mental Health Programme

The community mental health programme began as a pilot project in 2008/9 and was set within community venues within Carmarthenshire targeting individuals living in the community in addition to people linked to services thus offering a more open programme. The project was initially met with some uncertainty as it was a big change to our long and successful history of work within mental health settings however by the end of the first year its new success was evident. Arts Care Gofal Celf are still able to work within mental health settings and are very keen to do so as such work is invaluable however the funding from Hywel Dda and Carmarthenshire County Council currently supports a more community focussed programme, please see ‘whats on’.

The activity programmes at each of the community venues has been tailored to the needs of the people in the local area as a result of information gathered via carefully designed questionnaires as well as through conversation with groups and individuals. Feedback has resulted in diverse programmes of activities over the years enabling people to try new art forms through taster workshops as well as develop and build upon skills learnt during previous workshops.

Outcomes of such workshops have encouraged the personal development of those attending in a number of ways: individuals have overcome barriers to accessing sessions in the community; interacted with different individuals outside of their familiar environment so developing people skills and providing further opportunities to network; learnt new skills and revelled in the opportunity to achieve goals in a supportive and encouraging environment. Ultimately, the professionally led workshops have provided the opportunity for individuals to have fun and gain new skills in a relaxed and friendly environment resulting in raised levels of self-esteem and confidence which are important in recovery.

Participants have made comments such as…

“I learnt to keep smiling; the world can be a beautiful place”

“I could sit and do this forever”

“It gave me something to talk about at home when I usually have nothing to say”

“Relaxing, enchanting and fun”

“Very enjoyable time, interacting, discussing and a few good laughs”

Support staff have commented…

“It gave clients the opportunity to try different crafts. It raises self-esteem when they are successful in producing something at the end of the sessions. It stretches the boundaries to go somewhere different and meet new artists. It gives opportunities to interact with other people in a larger group. It gives skills which can be used in the future. The sessions are fun- which raises low mood”

“Thank you so much, it is a wonderful service”

“Many thanks for an enjoyable afternoon. The activities were well organised by yourselves and everyone was ready to get going. Work produced was exciting colourful and inventive. People felt free and comfortable to have fun and enjoy”.

For more photos and to watch the film, please click here

Catalyst, turning point asked ACGC to organise an activity suitable for a staff away day. ACGC Artist, Sian Stanford worked with the group making individual mosaic coasters and a collaborative group piece.

“Thank you so much for all your help and assistance with the organisation of the day. The mosaic session was fantastic and everyone really enjoyed it… I will be keeping acgc in mind for personal events as well as work related activities”

Llanelli Railway Station Project

Congratulations to all involved in the Llanelli railway station project…another successful venture! Young people from Bryngwyn School in Llanelli were involved in a four week partnership project involving Arts Care Gofal Celf, Carmarthenshire County Council Youth Service, The Engage Project, Bryngwyn School, Arriva Trains Wales and Celtic Concrete Products. Young people were given the opportunity to be involved in this exciting project to improve the station area. It was deemed an important target area as the station acts as a visitors first impression of the town.

 

The project included repainting the inside of the station footbridge and gates and the creation of eight raised flower beds on the platforms. Arts Care Gofal Celf artist Elaine Franks worked with the young people to help choose the plants and to guide the planting over the course of the project and states “I am absolutely delighted with the progress and results of this project, and like the young people, am rather proud of what has been achieved”.

The project’s success was celebrated when the Mayor of Llanelli unveiled a commemorative plaque at the station on Tuesday 29th November 2011. First impressions are important and now all who pass through Llanelli station will be greeted with what will hopefully be a good and lasting impression of the welcoming sights thanks to the hard work of the young people involved…job well done.
   

For more photos, please click here

Llandovery and Llandeilo Railway Projects

We were approached by a youth worker at MOBI (a partnership project between Carmarthenshire Youth Service and Plant Dewi), to help organise a project which encouraged young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training) to engage in a number of creative workshops to improve their local train stations making them welcoming for all in the community and visitors alike. The project was organised through a partnership with MOBI, Arts Care Gofal Celf, Ysgol Gyfun Pantycelyn, Ysgol Gyfun Tregib with support from 'Friends of Llandovery Station’ and Arriva Trains Wales and made possible through funding secured from Engage. The young people were the creators, leaders and decision makers in all aspects of the project and were supported in this process by support staff, qualified youth workers and the artist themselves with fantastic results.

Llandovery Railway Station
  

Young people from Ysgol Gyfyn Pantycelin had hands on experience working with one of Arts Care Gofal Celfs' professional artist, Veronica Gibson to create a painted mural, fit for the eyes of royalty!

Llandeilo train station
    

Young people from Ysgol Gyfun Tregib had hands on experience working with another of Arts Care Gofal Celfs professional artists, Teena Gould to create a mosaic mural and plant flowers to brighten the planters on the platform. Although not viewed by royalty, this project along with the Llandovery project did appear in Carmarthenshire Life magazine, issue 145 demonstrating to all in the county the achievements of all the young people involved in the project.

For more photos, please click here

Llansteffan Community Garden Project

Plant Dewi approached Arts Care Gofal Celf (ACGC) to help with developing the outdoor area of Llansteffan village hall, High Street, Llansteffan with funding they had secured through Gwirfol. After consultation with ACGC it was decided to focus attention on: a garden mural led by Sue Hagerty, landscaping guided by Elaine Franks and decorative willow sculptures with Helen Campbell. The young people worked hard over the four day intensive project and this did not go unnoticed after appearing in an article written by Simon Davies in Carmarthenshire Life magazine issue 145.

Feedback from one of the Arts Care Gofal Celf artist captures the success of the project:
“The participants clearly enjoyed a great sense of achievement and pride in what they had done. Many remarked that they were amazed at what they had been able to do, and that they hadn’t thought it was going to be possible at the start of the project. By the end of the last session we had transformed a dismal, rubbish filled back yard into a beautiful garden filled with flowers, fruit and herbs. Relationships within the group and between the group and the community had been explored and improved. The participants had stretched their abilities and learned new skills, they have produced a garden that they are very proud of, and will enjoy for a long time to come…it has been an outstanding success for all concerned”.

For more photos, please click here

Project update March / April 2012

Carmarthenshire Community Mental Health Programme - consists of near to weekly workshops at venues in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Llangadog for adults with mental health problems. The programme will be coming to an end in mid-march 2012 before recommencing in the new financial year. Evaluative questionnaires will be sent out to appropriate contacts in order to get feedback on the programme so far as well as useful information which will be used to organise the new activities programme for 2012/13.

Pembrokeshire SEN Transitions Group - currently providing activities at a newly formed youth club for young people with learning difficulties. Having experienced a number of different art forms over the past few months facilitated by ACGC artists, the group have decided to have additional dance workshops on 15th and 22nd March 2012.

Glan Y Mor School Garden Project - Carms Youth service are working with young people at risk of becoming NEET to create a working garden. Weekly workshops started before Christmas and were due to end in February 2012, however due to low participant numbers and bad weather conditions these sessions have been delayed. Artist, Elaine Franks will continue transforming the garden with the young people during March…Mother Nature permitting!
 

Carmarthenshire Education and Children’s Service:
Heol Goffa School Project ‘ New Horizons’
The project brief set out by Carmarthenshire Education and Childrens Services states “In this project a visual artist would work with pupils and staff from Heol Goffa School in Llanelli. Heol Goffa is a special school with pupils with a wide range of learning difficulties and though the pupils have a stimulating and varied experience in school they rarely have the opportunity to work with a professional artist. The artist would initially visit the school and engage in discussions with staff as to possible outcomes and creative opportunities for the pupils”. Having already met staff during a preliminary meeting, artist Alun Evans is expecting to work with children and young people at the School to create a wooden sculpture which will be housed at the main entrance to the building. Having spent a great deal of time in search of a suitable tree all are keen to start work on this new and exciting venture. Workshops are expected to start after the Easter holidays in April 2012.

Engage Cymru Gallery Project - The project is a partnership project between Engage Cymru, Oriel Myrddin and Arts Care Gofal Celf with additional support from West Wales Action for Mental Health (WWAMH). People with mental health problems will be given the opportunity to work with artist Julia Griffiths Jones in a series of 10 full day workshops commencing on Wednesday 25th April and every Wednesday thereafter until the final session on 27th June 2012. Participants will be working creatively in response to the exhibitions being held at the gallery to collectively create a body of work which will later be exhibited. The project is also an arts in health research project and will be monitored as it unfolds to gather any benefits associated with taking part in the arts activities. The project has had a great deal of interest and is set to be an extremely interesting project for all involved.

Splash Arts Cymru Project - ‘Throwdown’- During the February half term ACGC worked with young people aged 13-16 years of age from across Carmarthenshire in an exciting multi arts project. Participants had the opportunity to work with three artists and gained experience in music, graffiti, break dance and hip hop over a 5 day period. Participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience and together created 4 music tracks, decorated the wall of a community hall and leant dance moves all within a friendly and professionally led environment leading to an increase in skill base as well as confidence and self-esteem.

Staff commented that ‘It was wonderful to see the level of commitment that the young people gave to the project, and it was clear that they got a lot out of it as well. We do hope that they now have a greater appreciation of arts and that this has provided them with another avenue for the future. Feedback from the young people was overwhelmingly positive, many of them asking for more projects like this to be run during school holidays.’

ACGC Artist also commented on the half term project: “My name is Richard Thair and I am a musician/music producer based in Pontardawe. I had the pleasure of running music workshops during February half term on behalf of Arts Care Gofal Celf for twelve young people from Carmarthenshire. We focused on playing live drums, dj skills and producing four tracks using Apple Mac and Logic audio and the young people had a great time. With a bit of guidance and direction they left Pembrey with a CD each of tracks that they had all contributed to creatively. The music we focused on was very much what they were listening to so the style of music was mainly Hiphop, Grime and Dubstep. The young people all showed hidden talent, singing, rapping, keyboard skills, scratching with records and live drumming. The sessions showed that they were able to work as a team, communicate effectively with one another and express themselves without feeling self-conscious. A great success”.

Ysgol Dyffryn Taf School in Whitland – School based youth worker, Simone contacted ACGC regarding the possibility of us facilitating art activities at the after school youth club for young people aged 11-15 years of age. Young people are currently benefiting from having T-shirt/bag printing workshops led by ACGC artist Nina Morgan and will also have the opportunity to make their own jewellery after the Easter holidays. Having had quotes from ACGC, a funding application has also gone in to run another project with hard to reach young people at the school…so fingers crossed for a successful bid.

Rhwydwaith Choices event- ACGC will be supporting the mental health networking event being held at Carmarthen Mind on Thursday 29th March 2012 providing art activities for those attending. There will be a choice of a jewellery workshop facilitated by Sara Wentworth and a harp workshop with 8 mini harps led by artist Elin Lloyd.

Morfa Childrens Centre, Llanelli - Newly appointed strategic manager of the children centres in Llanelli met with ACGC recently to discuss the possibility of organising three arts projects at Morfa Children’s Centre. At the beginning of the year, we costed a number of potential projects for the centre so it is great that the children will now be given the opportunity to get creating and bring these projects to life. Projects are hoped to start after Easter and are set to inject a new lease of life into the centre making it a colourful and even more welcoming place for all.

Carmarthenshire Life Magazine - We currently have very good links with Carmarthenshire Life Magazine and are extremely pleased that Simon Davies, Associate Editor and Art manager of the magazine has taken an interest in the work of ACGC. Simon is a very talented artist himself and has written a number of articles relating to ACGC projects to date for which we are very grateful.
 

Communities First are working with young people at risk of homelessness providing weekly activities as part of a health club project. ACGC are providing a yoga workshop to support the January programme.

Splash Project- ‘Throwdown’

During the February half term ACGC will be working with young people from across Carmarthenshire. to facilitate an exciting multi arts project. Participants will have the opportunity to work with three professional artists and gain experience in music, graffiti, break dance and hip hop over a 5 day period hoping to lead to an increase in skill base as well as confidence and self-esteem. Participants will also be given the option of gaining OCN accreditation for some activities which could help not only with confidence but with opportunities in the future.

Flyer designed by graffiti artist Bradley Woods to publicise the project among the young people from across Carmarthenshire.

Home | Who's Who | Services | News | Projects | Partners | Artists  | Dance | What's On | Contact Us  | Mailing List | Cymraeg