Since 2007, we have been helping to change the lives of young carers in Camden, Hackney and Westminster through our art:space programme thanks to funding from British Land. Here, the company’s Charity & Volunteer Executive, Jo Hammond talks about the partnership:
“British Land is one of Europe’s largest real estate investment trusts. I work with our corporate-level charity and community partners and with teams at our properties around the UK to encourage community investment activities. We recognise that our business activities have wide-ranging impact, which can affect the lives of a significant number of people. We aim to be the best neighbour we can be. The young carers projects we fund are in the London boroughs where our key office properties are based – Camden, Hackney and Westminster.
We started working with Create back in 2003. Then in 2007, the charity forged a partnership with Westminster Young Carers Service and ran a creative writing and photography project entitled Who Am I?. It was a great success, so we’ve been working with the charity on similar projects ever since. art:space allows the young carers to get a break from their caring responsibilities and spend time with others in their situation, forming relationships, developing communication skills and building confidence and self-esteem, whilst, importantly, having fun.
Create works with professional artists who are carefully vetted, so I can be confident that those delivering the projects are the best people for the job. The quality of their project delivery is fantastic, and the Create team are incredibly committed to their work – they can be truly inspiring. When I visit the projects it’s always great to meet the young people and see first-hand some of the benefits. I’ve visited a variety of projects over the years and the young people are always incredibly engaged as they are so well put together – it’s wonderful to see them having some time to be children and be made to feel special. For our next set of workshops, we are focusing on using the artworks at our Head Office and the public art at our other estates in London. I can’t wait to learn what’s in store!”
This piece was written in 2012.