LONDON GRAPHIC CENTRE CHOOSES CREATE AS FIRST-EVER CHARITY PARTNER
We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new partnership between Create and London Graphic Centre (LGC). As LGC’s first-ever official charity partner, this collaboration will open up exciting new opportunities to champion the power of creativity and support some of the most isolated and vulnerable children and adults across the UK.
cREATIVITY WITH A PURPOSE
At Create, we believe in the life-enhancing impact of creativity, and this belief is reflected in LGC’s mission to support artists and makers at every level. Our shared commitment to creativity, community and accessibility makes this partnership a natural fit.
Together, we’ll be working to raise funds that enable more free, high-quality creative arts workshops for people who need them most including disabled people, vulnerable children, young and adult carers, and older adults facing isolation.
“We are delighted to be partnering with London Graphic Centre, a company that helps artists and creatives unlock their creativity. Its support will enable Create to expand access to the power of the creative arts to the most isolated and vulnerable people in our society, bringing joy, new skills, connection and enhanced wellbeing.” – Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding Chief Executive, Create.
Making it easy to support
From 10 November 2025, LGC customers are able to support Create’s work directly when shopping in-store. Donation points are located at tills, offering a simple way to make a difference.
Every donation – no matter the amount – will help fund creative programmes that build confidence, improve mental wellbeing, reduce isolation and give participants a platform to express themselves.
“We’re thrilled to support Create and help bring the transformative power of creativity to more people. It’s a cause that truly resonates with everything we stand for at London Graphic Centre.”
Michael Want, Chief Operating Officer, LGC.
A Creative collaboration
This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting journey: one that celebrates art not just as a form of expression, but as a powerful tool for connection, empowerment and healing.
We’re grateful to LGC for choosing to support our mission and for championing a more creative, connected society.
Customers can start donating in-store at London Graphic Centre from 10 November 2025.
A CHANCE To be themselves: how national lottery funding is supporting young carers through creativity
Across the UK, thousands of young people are quietly taking on adult responsibilities – cooking, cleaning and providing emotional support to family members who are disabled, ill or have additional needs. Many of these young carers juggle their caring roles alongside school and growing up, often with little time or space to just be kids.
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, Create’sinspired:arts programme is giving young carers across the UK a vital opportunity: time for themselves, a space to be creative, and the chance to connect with others who share similar experiences.
In Nottingham and Waltham Forest, young carers recently took part in creative workshops led by professional artists, exploring film and music. We spoke with Dawn (11), Emily (10), and Nathan (13), who shared their experiences on the projects.
Creativity as confidence
For Dawn (11) and Emily (10), taking part in a three-day filmmaking project with Create filmmaker, Jay Amin, was a chance to try something new, build confidence and meet other young people with similar experience.
“We’ve made a news report and nature documentary,” said Dawn. “It made me more confident using different techniques… and I’ve made new friends!”
“Before this, I couldn’t use a camera whatsoever,” Emily added. “Now I can! Not every child gets to make a film. It made me proud.”
Dawn, who cares for two siblings and a parent with complex needs, reflected on how rare these opportunities are:
“I love doing art, but I don’t get to do much because I have to care for my brother and sister. ”
“Projects like these let young carers be themselves for a few days. They don’t have to hide it all away.
DAWN, inspired:arts participant
Learning through music
In Waltham Forest, 13-year-old Nathan joined a music project led by Create musician, Joe Steele. Over three days, young carers composed songs together using drums, keyboards, ukuleles and their voices.
“We had lots of different talents, so [making music] was easy. We were able to do a lot in a short space of time. The most important thing I’ve learned is how to work with other people. Before, I normally just used my own ideas, but we were combining our suggestions. That was the most important thing.”
For Nathan, who cares for his mother, the workshops offered a meaningful break from responsibility:
“Sometimes it gets overwhelming.”
“Coming here lets me be with others in the same situation. We’re struggling the same way, and that builds connection.”
NATHAN, INSPIRED:ARTS PARTICIPANT
He also recognised the long-term benefits of creative thinking:
“If you’re not working your brain, it’s not going to be as creative. Creativity boosts your intelligence because your brain is learning new things.”
Small moments, big impact
At Create, we believe that creativity is a right, not a luxury – especially for young carers, who are often overlooked and overburdened. With the help of the National Lottery Community Fund , we’ve been able to run inspired:arts projects across the country, offering more young carers a break, a creative outlet and a sense of belonging.
“These projects give young carers something to focus on,” said Dawn. “They don’t have to worry about who they care for.”
“You can relax, focus and just have fun,” added Nathan. “And enjoy being with other children — because we don’t really get a lot of time for ourselves.”
Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund. Your support helps fund projects like inspired:arts that give young carers a much-needed opportunity to feel proud, confident and creative.
CREATING SPACE FOR YOUNG CARERS: A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM COUNCIL
This summer, Create was delighted to launch a new partnership with Hammersmith & Fulham Council, offering young carers in the borough vital time and space to be creative. Delivered through our inspired:arts programme, these multi-artform projects gave participants the chance to explore new artforms, express themselves, and connect with others – all while taking a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities.
With generous support from John Lyon’s Charity, young carers took part in drama and filmmaking workshops, delivered by Create’s professional artists Darren Cheek and Jay Amin. The sessions focused on building confidence, communication, and creativity – and the impact was clear.
A space where they just get to be a child
Letoria, a member of H&F Council staff, saw the power of the drama workshops firsthand:
“It’s been a good few days for them to meet new people and other young carers. Because they’re caring after family members for so much of their day, it’s important that they’re in a space where they just get to be a child – just free and not thinking about what’s going on at home.”
She highlighted how the project helped the young carers build confidence and friendships:
“Everyone used their creativity and was able to use their imagination in their own kind of way. I’ve seen their personalities go from really quiet to more open, merging with peers and being more vocal in their presentation and coming out of their shell.
“If anyone needs a break, it’s young carers. It’s very important that there is good funding to provide a variety of activities [for them].”
Letoria, community partner
Telling stories through film
In July, participants explored photography and filmmaking, culminating in the creation of a short film inspired by the theme of “heroes.” For 15-year-old Jayden, this was a powerful and eye-opening experience:
“We’ve been studying the art of film and photography. I’ve enjoyed working with the camera, because I haven’t done that before. It’s a nice experience.
“I’m proud of what we made. It was a bit tough [collaborating with others] at first, but we pulled together and managed to make a very good film”
Jayden, who cares for his mother, shared how rare it was to access projects like this:
“I don’t have many opportunities to do [activities like this]. New experiences can free the mind and inspire you to do something else. [Being creative] felt relieving. Projects like this help young carers get out into the world.”
“Projects like this help young carers get out into the world.”
JAYDEN, INSPIRED:ARTS PARTICIPANT
Why this work matters
Across the UK, there are an estimated 800,000 young carers – children and teenagers who take on practical and emotional care for a parent, sibling or other loved one. Many of these young people struggle with isolation, mental health challenges and barriers to education.
That’s why Create’s work with young carers is so essential. Our projects give them a break from responsibility, a chance to explore their identity, and a safe, joyful space to be themselves.
This work was made possible thanks to the generous support of John Lyon’s Charity.
Creating Connection Through Stories: Jamie’s Journey on My Parent’s in Prison
At Create, we believe that creativity has the power to bridge distance and heal relationships – even in the most difficult circumstances.
My Parent’s in Prison is Create’s unique project working with parents in prison to write and illustrate storybooks for their children. Led by our professional artists, the programme helps participants develop creative writing and visual art skills, while giving them a powerful way to stay connected with their children.
In August 2025, Create artists Carol Topolski and Chloe Cooper delivered a week-long project at HMP Oakwood. Jamie* (48), one of the participants, spoke to us about what the project meant to him.
Building Skills and Community Through Art
“This week we’ve been creating a character and bringing the story to life. At the beginning, I wasn’t enjoying it, but in the days after, I enjoyed it more and more. It’s something new.”
Jamie, who has previously experience with landscape painting, found a new outlet in collage and storytelling:
“As a landscape artist myself, doing this collage is something different that I’ve learned to add to my skills.”
Just as importantly, the project created a calm and welcoming environment where participants could support each other:
“We’ve connected [well] because of the way we’ve united and come together. We talk with each other, and everybody’s calm and respectful. ”
[Usually] I’m a loner, but even though I’ve had lots of people around me [during the project], my anxiety level is really low.
Jamie, MY PARENT’S IN PRISON Participant
Prison can be a difficult place for mental health, but Jamie found that creative expression helped:
“Here you can relax, come with your ideas. In the future, I’m going to create my own little art thing to help people with their mental health. I want to give back to the community.”
CREATING STORIES FOR CHILDREN
Through the programme, Jamie began writing and illustrating a story for his children – something deeply personal and meaningful:
“I tell [my children] about my story on the phone. I don’t want to give away the story – you can’t spoil the masterpiece! ”
It’s good for them to see that even though you’re in prison, you’re thinking about them, making a book for them.
Jamie, MY PARENT’S IN PRISON Participant
The experience allowed Jamie to reflect on his own childhood and the emotional weight of being a parent while incarcerated:
“When I was a child, I was busy trying to stay alive. That’s why it gets me emotional to think about my kids. Because I never had things like this. You could never think of doing things like this in the ghetto growing up.
“It breaks my heart that I’m supposed to be there looking after them, not in prison. So [here] I can give back something to make them feel proud. If we can do things like this and I don’t feel like a worthless dad, it helps me.”
Thank You to Our Funders
This programme is possible thanks to the generous support of The Leigh Trust, The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation, and The Michael and Shirley Hunt Charitable Trust.
With your help, parents like Jamie are building confidence, developing new skills, and strengthening their relationships with their children – all through the transformative power of creativity.
“It Changed My Life”: Survivor of Modern Slavery Rebuilds THEIR LIFE Through THE POWER OF CREATIVITY AND CONNECTION
Every October, Anti-Slavery Day reminds us that modern slavery is not just a historical injustice – it’s a current crisis. In the UK alone, over 17,000 people were identified as potential victims of modern slavery in 2023. Many remain hidden in plain sight, enduring horrific abuse and exploitation.
Through Art is Freedom, an annual campaign from the charity Hestia and its partners, survivors of modern slavery are enabled to reclaim their voices through creativity.
Earlier this year, thanks to support from multinational law firm Ashurst, Create was proud to collaborate with Hestia to deliver a series of painting workshops led by our professional artist Alba, culminating in a public exhibition in five locations across London for Anti-Slavery Day.
In this blog, we’re honoured to share the voice of one participant who took part in the project – a survivor of modern slavery who chose to tell their story anonymously, in their own words.
Content warning: This blog contains references to modern slavery, including forced labour, physical abuse, and trauma, which some readers may find distressing. Reader discretion is advised.
HESTIA AND CREATE
“I was onboarded as a client with Hestia in July of last year.
“This was after being rescued by police from a modern-day slavery situation. Hestia were there for me from the beginning. The process with a lot of modern-day slavery situations is that the police fill out a National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a mechanism by which the Home Office [gets involved] specifically for those who have been affected by modern-day slavery.
“I was contacted by them and was moved to a safe house first, then moved to temporary accommodation. From then, within a week of my rescue, Hestia assigned me an advocate.
“Advocates are the frontline individuals who [are] responsible for your situation and try to guide you through the NRM. They also [make you aware of] events and volunteering activities.”
Thanks to the support of multinational law firm Ashurst, we work with Hestia each year to deliver a series of weekly creative workshops for survivors in their care. These sessions offer a supportive space where participants can explore self-expression, build connections and skills, and process trauma through the creative arts.
“That’s how I got involved with Create. My advocate had recommended a workshop for me because I spent almost 11 months confined to my studio flat, not interacting with anyone, not doing anything outside answering calls from my advocate.”
the workshops were a really good way of me getting back into society because I’d isolated myself from the world after going through this traumatic experience.”
ART IS FREEDOM Participant
MODERN-DAY SLAVERY EXPERIENCE
“I was forced into a modern-day slavery situation, where I was made to do work for a restaurant/ fast food company in horrible conditions. I was forced to do long hours with shifts lasting between 12 hours -14 hours on a daily basis with no breaks. During my confinement I was tortured, burnt and beaten repeatedly. This situation lasted for almost two months before I was rescued by the Metropolitan Police.”
ART IS FREEDOM PROJECT
Delivered over 10 weeks by Create, the Art is Freedom workshops were designed not just to teach new skills but to create a supportive community space for healing.
“Create [delivers] an Art is Freedom programme with Hestia that offers a variety of artistic workshops. They give victims a means of creatively expressing their experiences. There’s a social element as well.
“[When I started the project] it was the darkest period of my life. I was deeply depressed. I was scared of leaving the house because the criminals who did what they did to me were still around. I was in fear of my life. So, I just stayed at home. I didn’t speak to anyone. I didn’t do anything. It was a hermit-like existence.
“The first session was genuinely the first time I had [gone further than 10 minutes outside] my house in 11 months. I was super nervous. I didn’t know who would be there, what it would be like.
“But it was amazing. The [Create and Hestia staff] are amazing at making people feel comfortable and included. It felt good because everyone had gone through similar experiences. And you didn’t feel like you had to hide or explain yourself. You could just be.
“Everyone there seemed like, whilst they were painting, they were releasing so much stress, so much anxiety.”
There was a calming peace about the whole environment. It felt like a safe space. It was an amazing experience.
ART IS FREEDOM Participant
Led by our professional artist Alba, the participants explored new techniques each week, responding to the theme ‘Seen and Heard’.
“I’ve always been into art. I’ve done bits and bobs, but I’ve never spent as much time as I did with the Create project. There was a great educational side to it as well. Every week we learned [about] new artists, how they express themselves, different techniques. Alba was amazing. I learned more [on this project] than I ever did in art GCSE!
“Some of the pieces that I made [were] a way of expressing the things that I’ve gone through. The genre of abstract expressionism worked really well for me. A lot of the experiences are very difficult to be exact about, because it’s like a fog of pain and trauma that you’re in. That’s reflected a lot in my work.
“It just felt so right to express in that way”
Each piece for me was my way of letting things go in a way. And it helped me a lot.
art is freedom participant
HEALING THROUGH CREATIVITY
“After the 10-week programme, everything in my life started to click back to normal. I was being more friendly with people. I was socialising more, doing more things in the community, even simple things like doing the groceries. It felt normal to me for the first time in a long time.
“My pieces were like a therapy session. I can honestly say that [the project] changed my life. I would be a very different person without it.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
More than 50 million people are living in modern slavery worldwide today. Projects like Art is Freedom demonstrate how creativity can be a powerful tool in recovery and long-term rehabilitation, not only rebuilding confidence, but restoring agency and hope.
“We sometimes get bogged down with achieving arbitrary targets – certificates, accomplishments, wages etc. But when we die, we die – those things don’t come with us. The best thing about life is exploring as much as you can about the human experience.
“Creative expression is often overlooked, but it solves a lot of problems. It’s a powerful way of expressing ideas as a human being.
“We’re so interconnected – we can all be victims at some point. We can actually do something about it. With issues like modern day slavery and human trafficking, more needs to be done about it because people are unnecessarily suffering.
“The more exposure [this has], the more we can get results. Hopefully through the efforts of Create and Hestia, fewer people every year [will] get involved in these situations.”
Connecting through music: Disabled AND NON-DISabled students perform together AT MANCHESTER Literature Festival
Young people from Manchester and Salford showcased original music celebrating inclusion and creativity, as part of Manchester Literature Festival.
On Friday 24 October, students from four schools across Manchester and Salford took the stage at Manchester Central Library to perform original music that they had co-created with professional musicians. The performance celebrated the culmination of creative:connection, an inclusive music project led by Create.
creative:connection brings together disabled and non-disabled students to collaborate, create and connect through music, while breaking down barriers. Students from Loreto High School, Chatsworth High School, Grange School and New Park Academy worked with Create’s team of professional musicians – Matt Dunn, Holly Marland, Hannah McCabe and Bethan Roberts – to write and rehearse their own original compositions inspired by Manchester Literature Festival’s 2025 theme: ‘Celebrate!’.
Each pair of schools (Grange/Loreto; Chatsworth/New Park) created their own musical pieces, and together they co-wrote a unifying group song. The final performance was a joyful, shared celebration of self-expression, collaboration and creativity.
Create’s Founding CEO, Nicky Goulder MBE said:
“creative:connection is a celebration of the joy and power of collaboration. Bringing together disabled and non-disabled young people through the creative arts helps build empathy, connection and confidence in all participants. At Create, we believe that everyone – regardless of background or ability – should have the chance to express themselves, be heard and be celebrated. We’re thrilled to be returning to Manchester Literature Festival to showcase the remarkable creativity of these talented young people.”
creative:connection supports the development of communication, social skills and confidence in the participants. With many disabled children and young people facing reduced access to the creative arts due to cost, accessibility or lack of provision, this programme provides free, high-quality creative opportunities in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
The performance was an uplifting afternoon celebrating the young people’s creativity and talent and a reminder of the power of the arts to connect us all.
FINDING Creativity and Connection After Modern Slavery
Art is Freedom is a powerful initiative developed by the charity Hestia, offering survivors of modern slavery a platform to express themselves creatively and reclaim their voices. Delivered in collaboration with a range of partners, the project culminates in an annual exhibition marking Anti-Slavery Day.
Earlier this year, thanks to support from multinational law firm Ashurst, Create was proud to collaborate with Hestia to deliver a series of painting workshops led by our professional artist Alba. These enabled 16 participants to explore the theme ‘Seen and Heard’ through visual art.
One participant, who remains anonymous, shared their reflections on the experience – from learning new artistic techniques to rediscovering a sense of purpose and pride.
CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION
“I took part in choosing the theme this year with Hestia. So I really wanted to create something to respond to ‘Seen and Heard’. [I was] inspired by loads of things around me.”
The painting workshops encouraged creative experimentation through a wide range of techniques and materials.
“Alba introduced us to many techniques – we used different types of paints and brushes and created our own brushes and collage. I liked that Alba has so many tricks up her sleeve. She has so many tools – her warm-up sessions always amaze me. It makes us interactive and it opened up my horizons. I’ve never thought of using shaving foams or natural materials to [make art]. I had loads of fun.”
Exploring art in new ways offered more than just creative insight – it sparked joy, imagination and discovery in a space designed for healing and connection.
THE POWER OF CREATIVITY
Art is often a mirror – but it’s also a tool. For those dealing with trauma, it can provide a vital sense of identity and achievement.
“[Being creative] proves that I have the ability to do something else and really to achieve something for myself. I’m proud to see my work in all these different venues.“
It makes me feel like [my life] is not all about dealing with my legal case all the time.
ART IS FREEDOM Participant
Equally important was the chance to build community with others who shared similar experiences.
“[The other participants] have so much thought and they use colours differently and [have] different expressive tools. I like the vibe, people doing things together. I’m really looking forward to seeing how people grow.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF HESTIA
Through Hestia, survivors of modern slavery are not only supported practically, but emotionally – and creatively.
“Hestia has been [helpful] in so many different ways, like financial support, training and art [programmes]. It completely changed my life and it made me feel useful again.”
A CONTINUED NEED FOR SUPPORT
While modern slavery affects people of all ages, over 50% of referrals into the National Referral Mechanism each year are adults – meaning more than half of potential victims are adults with complex recovery needs.
Art-based programmes like Art is Freedom offer vital spaces where survivors can heal, express, and rebuild identity beyond their experiences of exploitation.
Create is proud to collaborate with Ashurst and Hestia on Art is Freedom, ensuring that survivors are not only supported, but celebrated for their courage, creativity and resilience.
“We knew the projects would work because they’re being delivered by a trusted organisation.”
John Lyon’s Charity (JLC) is a grantmaker transforming the lives of children and young people by creating opportunities to learn, grow and thrive through education. Since 2013, Create has been proud to partner with JLC to deliver high-quality creative projects across London.
Through this long-standing collaboration, we have launched major programmes such as changing:minds, community:matters and inspired:arts, reaching disabled young people, young carers, care leavers and refugees in JLC’s priority boroughs. We spoke to Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants and Communications Manager at John Lyon’s Charity, about the impact of our partnership – and why creativity matters more than ever.
SHARED VALUES, CREATIVE VISION
“There’s a lot of synergy between JLC’s values and those of Create. Create strives to evolve constantly, develop and hone its offerings. We see the value in Create’s approach and methodology: projects cross a multitude of different artforms and can be adapted to various audiences with various needs.
“Create has a passion for interrogating its work and striving to be the best that it can be, combining diverse artforms, passion, drive, high-quality practitioners and rigorous evaluation all in one place. If a funder wants to fund really high-quality projects, then Create gives a lot of options.”
building new programmes with trust at the core
Create’s long relationship with JLC has led to the co-design of key programmes including changing:minds, which embeds creativity and financial literacy, and community:matters, which brings creative workshops to young people in vulnerable circumstances. For JLC, that level of collaboration is based on deep trust.
“We have known Create for a considerable amount of time, which has enabled us as funders to believe in its ability to have the right impact and outcomes.
Create’s openness and flexibility to develop programmes targeting priority groups and locations for JLC made the charity an ideal partner.
Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants and Communications Manager at John Lyon’s Charity
“This flexibility put Create in a really strong position to secure funding for new projects: we knew the projects would work because they’re being delivered by a trusted organisation.”
CREATING LONG-TERM IMPACT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief that creativity should be participant-led, empowering children and young people to shape their own experiences. As Anna explains:
“The positive impact starts from the beginning. Participants can choose the artform that most resonates with them, giving them agency over their experience. This element of co-creation is really empowering and gives a greater impact because participants know that they are taking part in something that they have chosen to do.
“It’s really important that the participants are not delivered to, but delivered with. That really comes across with the work that Create does; participants are encouraged to find their own way through projects, while being supported to engage as much as they are able.
“The projects I have visited are always really engaging for the participants. All of the young people seem to be really enthusiastic.
“On the whole, the impact on participants is huge. And not just in the moment, but also long after the end of the project, instilling confidence, a sense of wellbeing and all the positivity that engaging in arts projects can bring.”
Why CREATIVITY MATTERS
Like Create, JLC recognises that creativity plays a fundamental role in education, emotional health and society at large – especially at a time when access to the arts is under threat.
“Creativity is fundamentally important for everybody. I think it’s important that creative arts are included in school curriculums, but they are so often overlooked in favour of more academic subjects.
“Having access to creativity and cultural capital can boost everybody’s mental wellbeing, helping people thrive emotionally, professionally, and in relationships.
Creativity gives a mirror to see yourself reflected and a window to view the world through different perspectives.
Anna Hoddinott, Senior Grants and Communications Manager at John Lyon’s Charity
“Being able to access creativity leads to a really well-rounded society with really healthy and grounded people within it.”
A MESSAGE TO FUTURE FUNDERS
When asked what she would say to other funders considering supporting Create, Anna’s answer was simple:
“Do it! It’s difficult to find organisations that deliver such a range of activities, specialising in working with so many different participant groups, with such quality.
“Create gives funders the confidence that their support will be used thoughtfully, rigorously and with great impact. You’d be supporting work that truly changes lives.”
A huge thank you to John Lyon’s Charity for funding changing:minds, community:matters and inspired:arts.
Our:Stories – Drama, Storytelling and Reading at Pentland Field School
At Create, we believe that reading, writing, storytelling and drama aren’t just school subjects – but powerful tools for confidence, identity and belonging. However, for many children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) these opportunities don’t always feel accessible or meaningful.
According to recent data, just one in three children and young people aged 8 to 18 say they enjoy reading in their free time in the UK- and reading enjoyment among this group has fallen to its lowest point in 20 years. SEND pupils are among those least likely to report reading for pleasure, yet they stand to benefit the most from high‑quality creative literacy programmes.
That’s why our:stories, Create’s project with SEND schoolchildren across London, is so important. Over six weeks in June and July 2025, artist James Baldwin delivered drama and storytelling workshops at Pentland Field School, a special school for SEND pupils. We caught up with Leah, a teacher at Pentland Field, to hear about how the project impacted students.
Engaging with Storytelling
Leah described how the pupils explored storytelling through song, drama and creative writing together:
“They have been supported each week to make choices about creative words they would like to use and about story sequencing. They have also been using art in different mediums and incorporating drama and storytelling into each session to create their own stories, which has allowed them all to be creative and do their own thing.”
Despite challenges, such as forming letters or full sentences, the sensory and multi‑modal nature of the sessions made it accessible and meaningful:
“When I’ve looked at some of the pupils’ work, I can see that they might not have formed every word or every letter, but having those different textures and different bits to be hands‑on with means they’re still being part of that creative process [and that’s] really important to them.”
Building Confidence and Connection
For many of the students, this was a chance to step confidently into performance and group work in ways they hadn’t before. Leah observed:
“A lot of our pupils haven’t got independent creative thinking skills, but in some of the work that I’ve seen, I can tell that they have used their own language… Confidence is a big thing. You can see that [the pupils] are so confident to get up and dance and sing and shine in front of all of those people.”
Coming together with other classes also helped students feel more themselves in front of peers, she noted:
They have definitely opened up more, and coming together with another class shows that they’ve got the confidence to be themselves in front of others.
Leah – community partner
Reading and Writing for Pleasure
One of the goals of our:stories is to foster enjoyment and ownership in reading and writing – not just proficiency. Leah shared moments where older students particularly surprised her by embracing creative writing:
“[The pupils] love stories and storytelling, but I think for some of the older, more mature boys to be proud of creative writing was something that I had never seen from that cohort before… They really had ownership of the story.”
She emphasises that the balance between structured writing and creative freedom is important:
“The pupils need a balance between getting things done on paper and having that creative freedom to be able to take a break, get a bit loose, and allow that to all come together.”
Looking Ahead: Embedding Creativity
The impact extended beyond the workshops themselves. Leah reports that teachers and staff are inspired to embed elements of our:stories into their classes permanently:
“We are going to start embedding [this learning], and think about that level of creativity [when teaching] reading and writing.”
Why It Matters
Over 19.6% of school pupils in England have identified special educational needs (SEND).
Reading enjoyment among 8‑18 year olds is now at its lowest level in decades: only 32.7% say they enjoy reading in their free time.
These statistics show the scale of the challenge – and why work like our:stories is so essential. Not just for skills, but for identity, wellbeing, voice and connection.
Funded with the support of the St Paul’s Schools Foundation [via The Mercers’ Company].
As the Chetwode Foundation’s grant period supporting Create comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the impact this funding has had on young carers across the UK – including through our inspired:arts project in Nottingham, delivered in partnership with TuVida East Midlands.
Over three days in April 2025, a group of young carers came together to explore visual art in a joyful, supportive space – giving them a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities, and the chance to connect with others through creativity.
A Space to Create and Connect
Led by professional artist Anna Clarke, the young participants worked across painting, sculpture and mixed media, experimenting with everything from spray paint to feathers and recycled materials.
Maisie, aged 11, was one of the participants. For her, the workshops were an opportunity to try something new, express herself, and simply have fun:
“We did an art project where we did loads of different activities – sculptures with eco-friendly materials, [making] our own jumpsuits with paint, and flicking paint to create a marble effect. We used buttons, diamantes, feathers and, my favourite, spray paint!”
She particularly appreciated working alongside other young carers she didn’t know before:
“Sometimes it’s nice to work with people you know but sometimes it’s nice to work with people that you don’t really talk to.”
Understanding Life as a Young Carer
Maisie helps care for her 16-year-old brother, who is epileptic, non-verbal and has severe autism:
“If my mum’s busy I’ll help him. I’ll make him toast, drinks, [help] with his iPad. I’ll make sure he’s alright when she’s gone.
Sometimes his behaviour is challenging because he can’t tell my mum what he wants. If he’s got a headache, he gets angry and my mum has to use a helmet to protect her face.
If he’s up all night making loud noises, it’s hard to sleep because he’s right below me.
“sometimes I don’t get as much sleep as I probably should.”
Maisie – inspired:arts participant
Her experience reflects the reality for many young carers across the UK – often carrying significant emotional and practical responsibilities at home while navigating school, friendships and growing up.
That’s why spaces like inspired:arts matter. They offer creative respite, reduce isolation and support wellbeing.
Creative Confidence and Emotional Wellbeing
Maisie found the creative challenges rewarding and stimulating:
“[I felt] very imaginative because [the project] makes your brain think hard. You have to be very precise to be able to build a sculpture, otherwise it’ll just look a bit messy. It makes me [happier] when I get to do art.”
Thank You
The grant from the Chetwode Foundation made it possible for us to deliver this high-quality, multi-artform project in Nottingham. It enabled young carers like Maisie to take part in joyful, hands-on creative activities, build new friendships and social confidence, and enjoy meaningful respite from the demands of their caring roles
Thank you for helping us create these life-enhancing moments.
