Every day across the UK, thousands of young carers like Molly and Hannah take on extraordinary responsibilities. They help their siblings manage medications, cook meals when their parents are at work, navigate challenging behaviour and often put other’s needs before their own to support a loved one. Many are as young as five. Most juggle school, home life and caregiving with little time or space to simply be children.
That’s where inspired:artscomes in. inspired:arts is our multi-artform programme for young carers, providing free, high-quality creative workshops that offer them respite, joy and the chance to connect with others who understand their experience.
Over three days in August 2025, Create artist Laura-Kate Pontefract delivered visual art workshops with young carers at the Bolton Lads and Girls Club.
We spoke to sisters Molly* (nine) and Hannah* (12) – both young carers – about their time on the project.
A creative space just for them
Both Molly and Hannah care for their older sister, who has autism and ADHD:
“When our mum’s at work, I take care of both [my sisters], even though I’m the middle child.”, shared Hannah.
“We can’t do everything that a normal family should. When we go out, there’s always an argument or one of us ends up getting hurt because she gets angry at [us].”
For Hannah, the project was more than just a break from routine – it was a space for her to explore her own creativity and open up:
“[We all] painted together. It’s been fun and you get to use your imagination.”
“You get to talk to people who understand you.”
HANNAH, inspired:arts participant
Feeling pride through creativity
Molly found joy in trying new techniques and building confidence through art:
“Normally I just do colouring, so I feel proud and I’m grateful and surprised that I’ve done this!”
She also reflected on how the workshops helped to break down barriers with other young carers:
“This project has made me connect more to people because I’ve shared my kindness and friendship with them.”
” I think we will be good friends.”
MOLLY, INSPIRED:ARTS PARTICIPANT
Understanding you are not alone
Reflecting on her experience as a young carer, Hannah spoke about how the project shifted her perspective on her own life:
“Before my sister got diagnosed, I used to think that I had a mean sister. After coming here, I understand it’s not just my family that’s like this and it’s not always her fault.”
“It’s helped open my eyes and see I’m not alone in this.”
Hannah, inspired:arts participant
Why this work matters
Young carers are often isolated, overwhelmed and overlooked. In England, over 800,000 children are estimated to be caring for a family member. Many go unrecognised, missing out on childhood experiences and facing increased risks to their mental health and education,
We believe they deserve better.
Through inspired:arts, we aim to give these young people the creative tools, confidence and connections that allow them to thrive.
Thank you to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus for funding this project.
Growing creative confidence – reflections from Create’s Nurturing Talent Programme
How do you learn to lead creative workshops in complex community settings with older people living with dementia, disabled children, young carers and other groups of vulnerable children and adults? For emerging artists on Create’s Nurturing Talentprogramme, the answer is: by doing, reflecting and growing.
Each year, Nurturing Talent supports six emerging artists to gain hands-on facilitation experience within high-quality arts workshops across a range of community groups. Over the 12 months, participants shadow our experienced professional artists, attend expert-led training sessions and develop the skills they need to co-create inclusive, empowering creative workshops with confidence.
We spoke to Caroline (textiles) and Zhaolin (puppetry and drama), from the 2025/26 cohort, who shared what they’ve learned – and how they’ve grown so far.
Building confidence with new communities
For Caroline, one of the most valuable parts of the programme has been working with participant groups that she hadn’t encountered before and learning to adapt with confidence:
“It gave me the opportunity to grow my confidence in working with different groups.”
Caroline – nurturing talent
“I’ve learnt to trust myself a bit more, that I can handle things that get thrown at [me] in a workshop setting. You never really know what’s going to happen!”
It isn’t just about responding in the moment – Caroline is appreciating seeing how our artists carefully reflect and evolve their plans to meet participants’ needs:
“It’s been really impressive to see how the artists develop their plans and reflect after each stage, to make sure it follows the participants’ interests and allows them the space to create as much as possible.”
Planning with purpose
Zhaolin came to the programme with experience in delivering linear workshops – but through the programme has been introduced to a new approach to developing a project:
“I always saw my workshops like a storyline: we go here, then there. But working with Create’s artists [has] shown me a different way — more like creating different spots on a map, and letting participants draw the lines between them.”
“It’s a whole new way of thinking.”
Zhaolin – nurturing talent
This shift has led to a deeper awareness of creative decision-making and how to centre the participants’ experience in every moment:
“Now I’m thinking about the aims of each step. What’s the outcome? What happens if there’s a different energy in the room? How will my response impact the participants?”
Learning by doing
Both artists have reflected on the nerves of a first session, and how observing and supporting our professional artists has helped them to build their facilitation toolkit.
“There’s always that moment where I feel quite nervous,” said Caroline, “when participants first arrive and don’t know each other. But I’ve learnt so much from seeing how artists create warm, welcoming spaces and build trust.”
Caroline shared: “It’s been such a rewarding experience — not just creatively, but personally too.”
Zhaolin agreed that putting participants first, and designing workshops with space for improvisation, has been one of the programme’s biggest takeaways:
I really enjoy thinking about how to put the participant experience as the priority. That mindset, combined with flexibility, makes a huge difference.
Zhaolin – Nurturing talent
A Platform for progress
The Nurturing Talent programme offers both training and workshop experience, and a springboard for future opportunities. Many past participants have developed the skills and confidence to join our professional artist pool and lead projects themselves.
With a bursary, mentoring and practical development sessions – including safeguarding, and trauma informed practice – the programme is structured to support the participants to build confidence, leadership and facilitation skills across artforms and communities.
Nurturing Talent is Create’s 12-month. part-time professional development programme for emerging artists. Now in its 10th year, the scheme was developed in consultation with our artists. In 2025/26, it is upskilling six emerging artists from a range of disciplines, providing them with training and experience to develop their creative workshop facilitation in diverse and challenging settings. Ultimately, it aims to upskill them to deliver high quality creative workshops with those who need these most.
We spoke with Lucianne, Warrington/Manchester based multidisciplinary textile artist. She shared with us how the programme is influencing her facilitation and artistic skills.
JOINING NURTURING TALENT
After graduating, Lucianne dived straight into freelance facilitation. But Nurturing Talent offered something new: the chance to grow her practice alongside experienced artists in more complex community settings:
“Since I graduated, I went straight into freelance workshop facilitation, mainly around sustainable textiles – mending, weaving with scrap fabrics, darning and collaborative banners and patchworks.
[Nurturing Talent has] been absolutely lovely. Every artist that I’ve worked with so far has been really supportive, friendly and approachable. There’s never been a situation I’ve been in where I felt uncomfortable or that I didn’t know what was going on.”
LEARNING FROM NURTURING TALENT
Nurturing Talent provides emerging artists with a rare opportunity: to gain hands-on workshop facilitation experience with diverse groups of participants, while being mentored and supported. For Lucianne, this has meant expanding both her creative toolkit and her confidence:
“I’ve learned so much doing this already.”
Lucianne – nurturing talent
“For example, I had never thought about the concept of warm-up activities [in workshops]. Since being here and doing these training [days], I’ve realised how valuable [these] are and I’ve started incorporating that into my own practice.
“I also didn’t realise the extent to which you have to be adaptable and flexible, and how that varies between different groups. That’s a learning curve.
Lucianna also shared how the programme has deepened her belief in the value of creativity – not just for others, but also for herself.
“You really have to believe in your artform, and believe that it is something that is beneficial to other people. A big part of that is you experiencing the benefit of it, and I’ve had first-hand experience of [my practice] as an expressive outlet for wellbeing.
“That’s why I am very passionate about sharing that with other people. ”
“Patience is [important] as well, approaching things holistically and compassionately.”
Lucianne – nurturing talent
THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY
Lucianna shares our belief here at Create that creativity shouldn’t be a luxury:
“People need to create because it’s essential to being human. There are so many things you can do on your laptop, but that’s [not the same as] really creating something. When you go into a museum, you’re looking at things, whether it’s cave art or pots, that have been created, and that’s something that we can’t afford to lose.”
SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION
Since its launch in 2015, Nurturing Talent has supported almost 60 emerging professional artists to build the skills, confidence and adaptability needed to lead workshops in diverse communities. Many graduates from the programme have gone on to join our artist pool and to develop their own socially engaged practices across the UK.
As Lucianne’s journey shows, the programme is about more than just professional development – it’s about building compassionate, confident artists who are ready to share their creativity with the people who need it most.
Londoners celebrate reveal of their artistic creations on smart x Create ‘art car’
On Friday 21 November, three groups of participants across London, who took part in a national creative programme run by the charity Create, celebrated the artwork they created for a car by global automotive brand smart.
Adult carers in the City of London, young carers in Enfield, and mainstream and special needs primary school children in Lewisham came together in these three locations, joined by local council representatives, to see their own art displayed on an electric car made by the manufacturer. The artwork was created in workshops run by Create, a national charity empowering lives through the creative arts.
Earlier this year, the participants took part in a first-of-its kind project, creating artwork to be displayed on smart’s cars. A series of workshops, led by Create’s visual artists on the theme Open Your Mind, encouraged participants to express themselves freely while building skills, connections, and confidence. Each individual piece was carefully curated into a vibrant, large-scale collage, which was transformed into a bespoke vehicle wrap that now adorns award-winning smart #1 and #3 electric vehicles. The resulting ‘art cars’ are a bold celebration of collective creativity and the positive impact of the arts.
On 21 November, each group of participants saw for the first time one of the cars that their artwork helped to decorate, during a big reveal, while celebrating their achievements. In Lewisham, Councillor Jacq Paschoud attended in her role as Civic Mayor and Speaker of the Council, together with Deputy Young mayor Jimaine Lee and Morgan Seward, the Chair of the Champions of Inclusion group.
Nicky Goulder MBE, Founding Chief Executive of Create, said: “This celebration is a wonderful showcase of the power of creativity. The artistic output of people taking part in Create’s creative workshops is the engine of the whole project, and the passion that fuelled their creations is evident in the brilliant artwork covering smart’s ‘art cars’.”
The unveiling of the car to the participants for the first time is a celebration both of their individual talents and how creativity can bring people together.
NICKY GOULDER, CREATE CEO
Jason Allbutt, CEO, smart UK, said: “Create’s incredible charity work aligns perfectly with smart’s ‘Open Your Mind’ ethos, aiming to help people to live their lives to the fullest through the power of positivity, creativity and inclusion. We have been delighted with the reception which the #1 and #3 art cars have received to date, and can’t wait for the participants themselves to see the results in person.”
A 10-year-old participant from Forster Park Primary School in Lewisham spoke about their experience on the project:
Working with people and creating things felt good. Creativity is important because you can learn new skills. You might make new friends and learnt about what people do.
creative:connection participant
An 85-year-old participant from Imago Community, a Carers Support Service in the City of London, said: “I enjoyed the experience of screen printing and the happy moment of it, the success. This project has been very inspiring. I can’t imagine life without creativity. Creativity, music, having friends – it forms a package for your reason to be alive.”
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.
