cREATIVITY AND CARE: BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH CONNECTION
Across the UK, nearly 83,000 children are in care, many of whom have faced significant trauma, loss or instability. As these young people navigate complex systems and transitions, opportunities to build confidence, connect with others and develop life skills become vital. At Create, we know the creative arts can play a powerful role in nurturing these outcomes.
This was highlighted through our community:matters project with Brent Council, where children in care and care leavers explored drama and music workshops.
finding belonging through drama
Over three days in April 2025, Create artist Sophie Bentinck Craff led immersive drama workshops with a group of care-experience young people.
One participant, Naomi (18), shared the impact:
“Because I have autism and possibly ADHD, I already have lots of pent-up energy that I can’t get rid of. So having an outlet [in drama workshops] to do that, where it’s safe and controlled, it does help and also it is just really fun.”
From games like Wink Murder to creating characters and costumes, the workshops became a space for creativity, expression and connection.
“We’re all of a similar age, we have these little check-ins [with each other] and it’s good hearing about how other people have been doing.”
Navigating the care system often involves uncertainty and disruption. For Naomi, the chance to meet peers who shared similar experiences was hugely important:
“The system Is very constricting in a way, so these events where we can get together with other people who have gone through similar stuff are really important.”
Being here, [we are] able to have a community.
naomi – community:matters participant
Music as a tool for healing
Meanwhile, Lakshmi (23), a care leaver, took part in six weeks of music workshops led by Create musician Noga Ritter. With no previous experience beyond playing guitar, Lakshmi learnt to write lyrics, harmonise and use music software to record original work:
“[Now] I know about different voices and high and low harmonies. When I’m playing guitar, now I can put my vocals [over] it. [I’ve learnt] that I can create music. I can create lyrics. They don’t need to make sense – you can take a few words, bundle them together and go for it.”
The workshops also provided space to unwind during a stressful exam period:
“It felt amazing and relaxing [to write and record a song]. Recently I had my exams so it was a difficult period but coming here was tension-free. These two hours every week have really helped to calm my mind.”
And, critically, they helped Lakshmi reclaim a long-held creative dream:
“I wanted to sing and dance [when I was young]. And it didn’t [happen] because obviously I had my household situation and there were some financial issues as well. Now I’m looking for a job and I don’t have a chance to do creative [activities].”
“I appreciate that [Create] has done this for me because I have not been able to create since childhood.”
lakshmi – community:matters participant
At Create, we’re proud to work alongside care leavers to co-create spaces where they can express themselves freely, build confidence and find joy in connection.
community:matters Brent Council is funded by John Lyon’s Charity.
