Author: communications

THANK YOU TO OUR CORE AND UNRESTRICTED FUNDERS: CREATIVITY WITHOUT LIMITS

Posted on April 24, 2026 by - Stories, Blogs

THANK YOU TO OUR CORE and unrestricted FUNDERS: CREATIVITY WITHOUT LIMITS

At Create, we believe that everyone – regardless of age, background or circumstance – should have access to the life-enhancing power of creativity.

Thanks to the generous support of our core and unrestricted funders, we were able to reach more people than ever in 2025/26 with high-quality, collaborative creative arts projects. This flexible funding is vital: it enables us to respond quickly to emerging needs, build trusted partnerships, and co-design programmes with communities. It also underpins the essential costs of running a resilient organisation, supporting our artists, maintaining quality and ensuring projects are accessible, inclusive and impactful.

Across the year, we ran 96 projects, delivered over 1,355 workshops and engaged 2,500 participants facing significant barriers to accessing creativity – from young carers and children in care, to people with disabilities and older adults experiencing isolation.

A CREATIVE RESPONSE TO INEQUALITY

60% of our participants were eligible for free school meals, more than double the national average. Nearly half were from the global majority, 50% had special educational needs and 17% spoke English as an additional language. These figures reflect our commitment to reaching the most marginalised groups in our society.

In every workshop, participants explored their creativity in new ways, built meaningful connections and developed vital life skills – all while being supported by our team of professional artists.

REAL IMPACT

The outcomes of this work were powerful:

  • 99% of participants reported learning something new
  • 96% said their wellbeing had improved
  • 95% felt more confident and 96% felt more connected to others
  • 96% said they enjoyed the project they took part in
  • 99% of community partners said that their programmes were enhanced by our projects

These numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every statistic is a person who discovered their voice through creativity – like this adult carer from Harrow:

“Since the workshop, I’ve noticed a real shift in my wellbeing – [I’m] more balanced, more focused and definitely more energised. It’s like something clicked into place.”

Participant, creative:voices, Harrow

Or this young carer from our Southwark dance project:

“[This project] gave me the confidence to speak to people.” – Participant, art:space, Cambridge

Thank you

Unrestricted, core support from our funders makes this work possible. With their backing, we’re not only increasing access to creativity – we’re changing lives. Whether through painting, dance, photography, drama or music, our workshops help participants to build confidence, improve wellbeing and feel seen, valued and heard.

To our core funders, including those who prefer to remain anonymous – thank you. Your commitment to creativity, inclusion and impact is helping us build a fairer, more connected society. We are so grateful for your partnership and support.

In 2025/26 we received core or unrestricted funding from:

Aesop Foundation, Brown Forman, CA Redfern Charitable Foundation, Chesterhill Charitable Trust, David and Ruth Lewis Family Charitable Trust, The Finborough Foundation, The Linbury Trust, London Graphic Centre, Q Charitable Trust, The Rory and Elizabeth Brooks Foundation, Unethical and White Stuff.

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Meet Billy, a young carer from Cheshire

Posted on March 31, 2026 by - Stories, Blogs

Meet Billy, a young carer from Cheshire

A young carer taking part in an animation workshop.

Young carers take on responsibilities that most young people their age never have to consider. Across the UK, there are estimated to be over one million children providing care for a family member, often balancing school, home life and significant emotional responsibility.

Creativity can give young carers the chance to take time for themselves, meet other young carers and express themselves.

Billy (12) is one of the young carers who took part in Create’s inspired:arts programme, which provides creative arts opportunities designed to give young carers respite from their caring role while building confidence, skills and wellbeing.

Drawings by young carers on a table.

Growing up with caring responsibilities

Billy cares for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and supports his family in difficult circumstances.

“I took on caring responsibilities because my dad has PTSD, which affects him getting a job. I was about six [at the time]. It’s pretty challenging and it has become worse over time.”

Like many young carers, Billy described the emotional strain of responsibility at such a young age:

“As a carer, sometimes you do get those low points because you’re just really stressed and scared about what might happen to the person you’re caring for.”

He recalled one moment that highlights how different life can be for young carers:

“One time when my dad wasn’t there, my mother fell down the stairs. It was late at night and she didn’t want to wake anyone up. I got my mum back up and she called my dad. I don’t think that happens to most [other young people who aren’t carers]. Only when my mum is asleep do I get my own free time.”

A young carers animation project.

Discovering photography and animation

Billy took part in a three-day photography and animation project at Cheshire Young Carers with our professional photographer, Ciara Leeming. During the workshops, he and other young carers explored their creativity through animation, photography and stop-motion:

“We’ve been doing photography and animation. I’ve taken images of the park outside using an iPad and camera and created stop-motion using different materials.”

Through the creative process, Billy discovered new ways of seeing the world around him.

“I’ve learned that photography is more than just taking pictures. It’s [about] actually engaging with the environment around you and thinking about what would be good as a picture.”

Working collaboratively with other young carers made the experience even more meaningful.

“I enjoyed doing the stop motion because it was very fun and I got to work with people I wanted to work with, which doesn’t always happen at school. It was really satisfying [to complete the stop motion] and because other people were watching it with us, it felt more special.”

Young carers watching their animations.

Why creativity matters

For Billy, creativity offers something powerful – a positive outlet and a way to process the pressures he faces:

“[Creativity] is a way to express yourself, which is really good for your mental and physical health.”

Projects like inspired:arts give young carers a rare opportunity to focus on themselves rather than their responsibilities. By working with our professional artists and connecting with other young carers, they can build confidence, discover new interests and experience the joy of creating.

For Billy and many others, that space can make a real difference.

inspired:arts with Cheshire Young Carers was funded by St James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

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HOW CREATE USES CREATIVITY TO SUPPORT YOUNG CARERS

Posted on March 31, 2026 by - Stories, Blogs

HOW CREATE USES CREATIVITY TO SUPPORT YOUNG CARERS

Young carers taking part in a ceramics project.

Young carers often grow up balancing school, friendships and childhood alongside significant responsibilities at home. Across the UK, 51% of young carers provide more than 20 hours of care each week, supporting family members with illness, disability or mental health challenges.

This responsibility can bring stress, isolation and limited opportunities to focus on themselves.

Create’s programmes with young carers provide something vital: time and space to step away from their caring role to connect with others in similar situations and explore their creativity in activities led by our with professional artists.

Through workshops across the UK, young carers discover new skills, build friendships and gain self-confidence.

Young carers taking part in a ceramics project.

Finding freedom through creativity

Over three days in October 2025, Maya* (11) took part in an inspired:arts ceramics and sculpture project with our artist Sam Haynes in Hammersmith. During the project, Maya explored creativity through storytelling and sculpture.

For Maya, caring for her mother with fibromyalgia has meant spending a lot of time at home:

“I’ve been caring for my mother [since I was nine years old].”

“I don’t have many chances [to be creative] at the moment. Going out is a bit of a struggle.”

Maya, young carer

For Maya, the project offered a sense of freedom and space for expression:

“I was given the freedom to do whatever I liked, in my own way. I enjoyed [doing the ceramics] because it was very therapeutic and stress-free. [Projects like these] help people express what they feel. Sometimes people bottle it up. [Expressing it] can make you feel like you can spread your wings, you can just be who you are.” 

Young carers taking part in a ceramics project.

Rediscovering confidence and connection

In November 2025, Lucinda* (15), who cares for her mother with multiple chronic illnesses, took part in an inspired:arts ceramics project in Hillingdon, led by our artist Teresa Paiva. She described how creative workshops can provide an important emotional outlet:

“Working with clay has been very therapeutic. It’s just really nice because you can make anything that comes to your mind and there’s really no limit.”

The project also helped Lucinda reconnect with others:

“I’ve got to know everyone better and connected with a few people.”

lucinda, young carer

“It’s been really nice to talk to everyone and see their ideas. I stopped going to Carers Club for a while; I’ve really enjoyed [this project] and I’m thinking of coming back.”

Young carers taking part in a ceramics project.

Creativity as emotional expression

In April 2025, Matilda* (10) took part in change:matters, our programme combining creativity with financial literacy. As part of a group, she created radio dramas exploring real-life money challenges.

Matilda cares for multiple family members including siblings with autism and a mother with epilepsy and Crohn’s disease. She says that creativity plays an important role in managing emotions:

“[Creativity] gets your mind going and you can [explore] problems. If I’m feeling angry, I’ll make dark stuff. But when I’m feeling happy, I’ll do doodles and draw people. So that’s how I express myself with creativity.”

The project offered both creative learning and peer connection:

“[Projects like these] help young carers regulate because they realise a lot of children [are] actually like them. They can make friends that have the same problems.”

Young carers taking part in a radio drama project.

Why these projects matter

For young carers, creativity can provide far more than an enjoyable activity. It offers a safe space to explore emotions, connect with peers who understand their experiences, and discover new possibilities for the future.

By working alongside professional artists and other young carers, participants are supported to build confidence, develop skills and take time that is just for them.

These projects were funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity, John Lyon’s Charity, National Lottery Community Fund, Wates Foundation and The Worshipful Company of World Traders.

*Names changed to protect anonymity

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Create’s 22nd Anniversary Gala Dinner at Mosimann’s celebrates creativity and raises vital funds 

Posted on March 27, 2026 by - News

Create’s 22nd Anniversary Gala Dinner at Mosimann’s celebrates creativity and raises vital funds

Last night, Create’s 22nd Anniversary Gala Dinner at Mosimann’s raised £44,491 (net of costs with further funding expected) for Create’s vital work of bringing the creative arts to those who need it most. 

On Wednesday 26 March 2026, guests gathered at Mosimann’s for a special evening in support of Create’s mission: to empower lives, reduce isolation and enhance wellbeing through creativity. 

Guests were welcomed with a Champagne reception before enjoying a six-course dinner in the beautiful surroundings of Mosimann’s. Throughout the evening, a silent auction and raffle offered opportunities to support Create’s work – raising vital funds to deliver free creative arts programmes for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. 

Guests talking at a black tie Create annual Gala.

People need to create 

This year’s Gala focused on a simple but powerful idea: People Need to Create – and in particular, how creativity can help young carers build confidence, connection and a future beyond caring.  

Young carers often take on significant responsibilities from an early age, supporting family members while balancing school, friendships and their own wellbeing. Too often, this can limit their opportunities, confidence and aspirations. 

In her speech, Founding CEO Nicky Goulder MBE highlighted the growing body of research demonstrating the profound impact of the arts: 

“Attending a weekly arts workshop can lead to a 73% fall in depression; and attending just one arts activity per month can increase your life by 10 years.” 

Nicky Goulder, Create Founding CEO, giving a speech at Create's annual gala.

Creativity as a catalyst for opportunity

For young carers, creativity is not just an outlet – it can be a turning point. 

Through Create’s programmes, young carers and other marginalised groups are given time away from their responsibilities and life challenges. Our projects give them the chance to connect with others in similar situations, and the opportunity to build skills, confidence and a sense of identity. 

Nicky reflected on the broader impact of this work: 

“People on our programmes frequently tell us that being creative helps improve their mental health. It builds skills, brings joy and reduces isolation – and it levels the playing field for people from many different walks of life.” 

Since 2003, Create has worked with nearly 50,000 participants, delivering thousands of workshops across the UK and providing access to creativity for those who might otherwise go without. Crucially, every project is delivered free of charge, ensuring that those with the least access can benefit. 

Guests listening to a speech, sat at a round dining table at a black tie Create annual Gala.

INVESTING IN YOUNG CARERS’ FUTURES 

A key focus of the evening was inspiring:talent, Create’s new programme designed to provide sustained, long-term support for young carers. 

Building on nearly two decades of experience working with this group, inspiring:talent will support young carers at a critical stage in their lives – helping them to develop transferable skills, build relationships with peers and mentors, and explore future pathways through creativity. 

By offering consistent, high-quality creative opportunities over time, the programme aims to give young carers something that is often out of reach: the chance to focus on themselves, their potential and their futures. 

Guests also heard from Create’s Youth Ambassador Abi, whose journey from attending Create workshops as a young carer to studying filmmaking at university demonstrates what can happen when young people are given that opportunity. 

Create Youth Ambassador Abi giving a speech at Create's annual Gala

A celebration of generosity and creativity 

We are immensely grateful to Anton Mosimann OBE, Mark Mosimann and the team at Mosimann’s for their continued generosity and hospitality. 

Our sincere thanks also go to our table hosts, donors and all those who contributed to the silent auction and raffle. Your support ensures that we can continue to bring the life-enhancing power of the creative arts to those who need it most. 

From everyone at Create, thank you for being part of such a special evening. 

Create shortlisted for Business Charity Award for smart partnership

Posted on March 26, 2026 by - News

Create shortlisted for Business Charity Award for smart partnership

We’re delighted to share that Create has been shortlisted for the Business Charity Awards “Marketing Partnership of the Year”, recognising our innovative partnership with smart UK. This collaboration demonstrates the powerful impact of bringing business and creativity together for social good.

A partnership driven by creativity and impact

In 2025, Create partnered with smart UK to deliver a nationwide creative programme exploring the theme “Open Your Mind”. At the heart of the partnership was a shared ambition: to create something bold, meaningful and genuinely impactful, both for participants and wider audiences.

Working with our professional artists, participants from across our programmes – including young and adult carers, mainstream children working with those with special needs, and isolated older people – took part in visual art workshops designed to spark imagination, self-expression and connection.

Each participant created their own artwork in response to the theme, using painting, drawing and collage to explore what “Open Your Mind” meant to them. These individual pieces were then brought together into a vibrant, large-scale collage. The final artwork was transformed into bespoke vehicle wraps for the award-winning smart #1 and #3 electric vehicles, turning participants’ voices into a striking, highly visible creative output.

From workshops to national showcase

The campaign was designed to deliver meaningful creative experiences and to amplify participants’ voices on a national stage.

The ‘art cars’ were showcased across the UK, including at CarFest South in August 2025, and gained significant international media and social media coverage. Through this, the campaign amplified voices that are too often underrepresented, while aligning smart’s brand with creativity, inclusion and community impact.

To bring the celebration directly to the participants, the car was driven to the three projects in London on a single, impactful day, giving them the opportunity to see their work displayed in an exciting and original way. At every stage, the project placed participants at its heart, from the initial workshops through to the final public showcase.

The impact for participants

For participants, the partnership provided more than a creative experience. It offered a chance to be seen, to contribute to something larger, and to have their creativity celebrated on a national stage.

Participants were given the tools, time and encouragement to create freely, knowing their work would contribute to a shared outcome with real visibility and recognition. The resulting artworks reflect individuality, imagination and lived experience – a powerful reminder of what can happen when creativity is made accessible to everyone.

Creativity as a catalyst for change

This partnership highlights what is possible when businesses and charities work together in a collaborative and innovative way.

By combining smart UK’s platform and reach with Create’s expertise in delivering high-quality, participant-led creative programmes, the partnership achieved both meaningful social impact and strong public engagement.

It demonstrates how corporate partnerships can go beyond traditional sponsorship, creating authentic, creative campaigns that engage audiences while delivering real benefits for communities.

Celebrating success

We are delighted that this partnership has been shortlisted by Business Charity Awards. This is a celebration of the creativity of the participants who made this project so powerful, and the partnership with smart UK that enabled their voices to be seen and heard.

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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR BIG GIVE “ARTS FOR IMPACT” CAMPAIGN

Posted on March 24, 2026 by - News

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR BIG GIVE “ARTS FOR IMPACT” CAMPAIGN

Young carers taking part in a Create dance project.

Earlier this month, Create took part in the Big Give’s “Arts for Impact” campaign – a national match-funding initiative supporting arts charities to reach more people through creativity. For one week, every donation made was doubled, making your generosity have twice the impact.

Thanks to the incredible support of the 78 donors who contributed to the campaign, we’re delighted to share that we exceeded – our £13,500 fundraising target, raising £14,507 to support our work with young and adult carers (£16,117 including gift aid).

Adult carers taking part in a visual arts project.

Caring for a loved one can be isolating, exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. Across the UK, 90% of unpaid carers report feeling lonely, and more than half say they feel anxious or depressed. Many have little time for themselves, often missing out on the simple activities that support wellbeing and bring joy. 68% of carers say they are less able to take part in activities that improve their mood, like hobbies and interests, volunteering, or activities in their community.

That’s why your support matters so much.

Through our programmes with young and adult carers, we bring carers together in creative workshops that offer something rare: space to breathe; space to step away from responsibility, connect with others who understand, and rediscover a sense of self beyond caring.

As one participant shared:

The project made me feel like I had a superpower. It was great for my mental health.

These moments of creativity are powerful. They reduce isolation, build confidence and remind carers that they are seen, valued and supported.

“We are truly grateful for the support for this campaign. Every donation represents a belief in the power of creativity to support those who so often put themselves last. Young and adult carers give so much of themselves every day, often with little time for their own wellbeing. Thanks to your generosity, more carers will have the opportunity to step away from their responsibilities, rediscover a sense of themselves beyond caring, and experience the joy, confidence and connection that creativity can bring.”

Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding CEO, Create

Young carers on a Create project.

We were delighted to have the support of actor, writer, comedian and Create Patron Isy Suttie, who kindly lent her time and voice to the campaign. We are incredibly grateful for her support of our work.

It has been incredibly moving to see so many people come together to support this work. Every donation, every share and every message of encouragement has helped make this campaign a success – and will help ensure that more carers can access the life-enhancing power of the creative arts.

Thanks to you, we can continue to create spaces where carers feel connected, supported and inspired.

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CELEBRATING YOUNG CARERS FOR YCAD 2026

Posted on March 12, 2026 by - News

CELEBRATING YOUNG CARERS FOR YCAD 2026

Young carers on an art project.

Across the UK, there are estimated to be more than one million young carers – children and young people who help look after a family member with illness, disability, mental health challenges or addiction. Alongside school and friendships, many take on responsibilities at home that can affect their wellbeing, confidence and opportunities to take part in everyday activities.

Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) shines a spotlight on these young people and the challenges they face. This year’s theme, “Fair Futures for Young Carers,” calls for greater recognition and support so that young carers can access the same opportunities as their peers.

To mark the day, Create brought together young carers from across the UK for a special Creative Showcase on Wednesday 11 March 2026. Through a series of creative workshops, young carers explored drama, music, painting, puppetry and textiles – sharing their ideas, stories and talents through art.

Young carers displaying their visual artwork.

A platform for creativity and self-expression

In the lead-up to the showcase, Create’s professional artists worked with young carers during February half-term workshops delivered in partnership with:

  • Brent Carers Centre
  • Bury Young Carers
  • Carers Trust Hillingdon & Ealing
  • Enfield Carers Centre
  • Sutton Carers Centre

Across these sessions, participants experimented with a range of artforms including drama, music, painting, puppetry and textiles, creating work inspired by the theme Fair Futures for Young Carers.

The online showcase offered young carers the opportunity to present their work and celebrate their creativity with family members, supporters and partners from across the country.

Young carers dancing.

Why creative breaks matter

Young carers often struggle to balance their caring responsibilities with time for themselves. Research shows that young carers miss an average of 23 days of school every year, and many spend several hours each day caring for loved ones. These pressures can have long-term consequences: less than half of young carers leave school with five GCSE passes including English and Maths, highlighting the urgent need to ensure young carers have fair access to opportunities and support.

Young carers performing at a puppetry project.

Creative activities can provide a vital space for respite – allowing young carers to relax, build friendships and express emotions that can be difficult to put into words.

“If we want to make a real difference in the lives of young carers in ways that build their skills, confidence and wellbeing, increasing their access to the creative arts should be a top priority. As a society, we must recognise creativity not as an optional extra, but as a vital part of holistic support for vulnerable young people. This YCAD and beyond, let’s work to ensure that every young carer can experience the transformative power of the creative arts.”

Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding CEO of Create

Through Create’s workshops, participants are encouraged to explore new artforms, collaborate with their peers and discover their own creative voices. Just as importantly, they are given time to step away from their caring roles and focus on themselves. 

One young carer shared:

“It’s a chance for people to see what I am capable of.”

Celebrating young carers’ voices

The Young Carers Action Day showcase highlights not only the creativity of the young people involved, but also their resilience, imagination and individuality.

By providing opportunities like this, Create aims to ensure that young carers are recognised, supported and given the space to develop their talents and aspirations.

Their creativity reminds us that when young carers are given the chance to step back from responsibility and explore their potential, they can thrive.

Thank you to John Lyon’s Charity, The John Thaw Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, Society of the Holy Child Jesus CIO, and Wates Foundation for funding these projects.

Watch the showcase

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Fair Futures for young carers means better access to the creative arts

Posted on March 11, 2026 by - News

Fair Futures for young carers means better access to the creative arts

Across the UK, hundreds of thousands of young people quietly shoulder caring responsibilities every day. Young carers selflessly give their time and energy to look after people close to them, and all too often do not get the support and recognition they deserve. Research by Action for Children estimates that around 800,000 young carers aged 11–16 are caring for a family member in England alone.  

Many face not only the burden of responsibility but also emotional strain and barriers to education. Carers face greater risks of physical and mental ill health, including higher rates of selfharm and poorer wellbeing than their peers.  

The theme of this year’s Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) – “Fair Futures for Young Carers” – highlights the urgent need for increased support for these undervalued and overstretched young people. If we want to make a real difference in their lives in ways that build their skills, confidence and wellbeing, increasing their access to the creative arts should be a top priority. 

Creative opportunities are not a luxury, they are essential. Decades of research proves the substantial mental health benefits of the arts, showing that regular singing, dancing, painting, and other cultural pursuits reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress for people of all ages. If any doubt still remains, Dr Daisy Fancourt’s recent book Art Cure brilliantly sums up the overwhelming evidence for the power of the arts to change lives for the better. 

At Create, we know that access to creative experiences can be truly transformative. Our high quality arts projects, delivered by our professional artists and spanning 26 different artforms across the UK, give young carers rare time and space that is entirely their own. Our workshops enable young carers to discover new talents, make new friends, and experience the joy and freedom of creativity. These moments matter deeply for young carers whose daily lives are shaped by responsibility, routine and, too often, isolation. 

The scale of the challenges they face remains alarming. Consistent research shows that young carers experience reduced educational attainment and higher absenteeism than their peers, difficulties highlighted in Carers Trust’s recent education report. Without targeted support, these pressures compound over time, impacting longterm life chances. 

Creative arts engagement offers powerful ways to help address these inequalities. When young carers take part in our programmes, they step into environments where they are not defined by their caring role, where they can express themselves freely, and where their voices are heard. Creativity nurtures their emotional resilience and builds vital social connections. 

Yet despite their value, the creative arts remain out of reach for many young carers. They may struggle to travel to extracurricular activities or lack the financial means to participate. That is why we bring our workshops directly to carers services, where young carers feel comfortable, supported, and safe. Every project we deliver is completely free to participants, because the ability to experience creativity should never depend on financial circumstances. 

But continuing to provide these opportunities requires sustainable, committed funding that reflects the life-changing impact of the arts. As a society, we must recognise creativity not as an optional extra, but as a vital part of holistic support for vulnerable young people.  

Create is marking YCAD with an online Showcase of work by young carers from five carer services across the UK. The event features drama, music, painting, puppetry, and textiles, specially created by young carers for the day, celebrating their talent, resilience and incredible creative potential.

We know that creativity changes lives. Let’s ensure that every young carer can experience its transformative power leading to Fair Futures for all. 

By Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding CEO of Create 

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How Children in care gain confidence through creativity 

Posted on February 28, 2026 by - Stories, Blogs

How Children in care gain confidence through creativity 

Children in care taking part in a music workshop. They are standing with sheet music singing together.

Children in care and care leavers face significant challenges, often shaped by trauma, instability and disrupted relationships. Frequent changes to home, school and support networks can affect confidence, wellbeing and the ability to form trusting connections. Creative projects like our:voices offer something vital in response: space to express themselves, connect and feel seen. 

Delivered by professional artists, Create developed our:voices as a multi-artform programme for children in care and care leavers to support wellbeing, confidence and social connection through creativity.

Research highlights the scale of the need. In England, around 45% of children in care are estimated to have a diagnosable mental health condition, and many experience loneliness, lower self-esteem than other children and disengagement from education. 

Finding your voice through music 

In July 2025, young people from Bolton Youth Service took part in a three day our:voices music project, led by our musician Matt Dunn. Emily (16), who has been in care for over eight years, described how composing music helped her feel more confident and positive:  

“[Having completed the project] I feel great. A lot more confident. Everyone’s very kind and we work well together. [The project] is really refreshing and it gets you out of the house. I feel brighter.” 

[Being creative] is important because some people don’t get that chance and it really lets you open up as a person and you can become more positive.

EMILY, our:Voices participant

For Emily, the chance to meet others with similar experiences was just as important as learning new skills: 

“Sometimes when you’re in care you can struggle to make friends because you can feel a bit down. But [in projects like these] you meet other people in your situation, and you have a fun time with them.” 

New opportunities for expression 

In October 2025, participants from Waltham Forest explored filmmaking with our filmmaker Solveig Herzum. Noah (14) spoke about discovering confidence and imagination through the creative process: 

“[My favourite part] was how I was so involved in it. You can hear other people’s ideas, take one and make it your own. No matter what [the challenge] is, you can do it.” 

[This project] brings out a lot of confidence in you. People who don’t usually do creative things find it really fun and interesting when they actually do it. 

noah, our:voices participant

For Noah, creativity opened up new ways of thinking and expressing ideas: 

“I [learned] that I have a big imagination. [For example], at the start of the project, we had a picture and we had to make film based on it. When I saw the picture, my mind just started racing with different ideas.”  

Why this work matters 

Projects like our:voices show how creativity can provide more than activity for children in care. By working collaboratively with professional artists and peers, young people build skills, confidence and connection – and experience a rare opportunity to focus on who they are, not just the circumstances around them. 

Thank you to Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust for funding our:voices in Waltham Forest. 

*Names changed to protect anonymity 

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Finding space to be yourself when you’re in care

Posted on February 28, 2026 by - Stories, Blogs

Finding space to be yourself when you’re in care

Children in care taking part in an our:voices photography project

For children in care, everyday life can feel tightly controlled. Where you live, who you live with, and even small routines can change suddenly. Many young people experience repeated placement moves, separation from siblings, stigma and restrictions that their peers don’t face – leaving little space to process emotions or simply be themselves. 

National research shows that children in care are significantly more likely to experience poor mental health than other young people. Around 45% have a diagnosable mental health condition, and many report loneliness, bullying and feeling different from their peers. For young people navigating these pressures, opportunities for self-expression and autonomy are often limited. 

That’s where our:voices comes in. 

our:voices is Create’s multi-artform project for children in care and care leavers, designed to offer creative space away from judgement and expectation. Working with our professional artists, young people are supported to express themselves, connect with others who understand their experiences, and explore creativity on their own terms. 

For Carys and Amy*, two young people who took part in our our:voices projects in Bolton, that space was vital. 

Living with instability 

Carys (14) moved into care when she was 10. Since then, she has experienced multiple placements and the emotional toll that comes with them. 

“My first placement was good, but then I kept having arguments with them. It was kind of breaking down. So I had to move, but my brother stayed. Then I had a foster sister [who] wasn’t very nice, so that didn’t work out.” 

Like many children in care, Carys experienced separation from family members and the uncertainty of not knowing where she would settle next: 

Now I’m with carers that have been my favourite. I actually love them. I’m a nicer person now and I’m a lot happier.

carys, our:Voices participant

Making art when you can’t find the words 

During a three-day our:voices visual art project led by our visual artist Laura-Kate Pontefract, Carys explored abstract painting inspired by Monet. At first, she felt unsure. 

“I was a little stressed at first because I couldn’t [paint]. But then I was really happy with the ending – it just came together!” 

As the project progressed, art became a way to process feelings that might otherwise stay bottled up: 

“If I was feeling something, I’d just [put] it onto my canvas.” 

She described discovering something new about herself through the process: 

“I’ve learned that I can actually paint and that it’s nice to express your feelings onto a piece of paper. Patience is the key to success!” 

For young people who have had little control over their circumstances, having agency over what they create can be powerful. 

feeling different from other children 

Amy (15) has been in care for nearly five years. In August 2025, she took part in an our:voices photography project with our photographer Louisa Mayman, learning about angles, editing and visual storytelling: 

“We’ve created a lot of pictures in different ways, which I didn’t know that you could do.” 

For Amy, the project offered more than technical skills. It offered a break from isolation: 

“[Doing this project] has made me more confident in myself and it makes me feel a lot more happy because it gets me out of the house. It was really good because I got to interact with other [children in care].” 

She spoke about the realities of being looked after: 

“Being looked after, it can be hard. You see different carers, you get treated differently by people or get bullied for being in care.” 

Amy described the everyday restrictions many children in care live with: 

“You have a curfew, you have to hand your phone in, or you’ll get in trouble.“

It’s completely different from kids being at home with their parents. 

amy, our:voices participant

“I like to socialise and pick up ideas from other people. I’m not [usually] good at art, but I’ve surpassed myself here and made things I really like. It’s a nice group and everybody helps each other.”

A PLACE TO BE YOURSELF 

Research shows that care-experienced young people are far more likely to report loneliness and low life satisfaction than their peers, and many struggle to find spaces where they feel understood. Projects like our:voices don’t remove these challenges, but they do create moments of agency, expression and belonging within them.  

By centring young people’s voices and experiences, and allowing them to make choices, explore ideas and work alongside peers, creativity becomes a way to reclaim a sense of self. 

As Amy put it: 

“I think it’s good for young people [in general], not just children in care.” 

*Names changed to protect anonymity 

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