Create Live! is Create’s online, interactive project initiative developed to reach participants during the lockdown, offering a creative lifeline to the most vulnerable children and adults in isolation. Over three days in April 2020, Create’s professional theatre maker/writer James Baldwin delivered an online drama project with young carers from Ealing and Hounslow.
We spoke to young carers who participated, Create artist James, and Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s Young Carers Project about the online drama project.
CREATE ARTIST JAMES BALDWIN
“Keeping the work rooted in the principles of face to face workshop is central to developing a workshop for Create Live! delivery. The key is flexibility and being able to think on the spot.
“Throughout the planning of the workshop I was asking myself “why are we doing that game?” and “what are we trying to achieve?”. Making a group connection is tricky when you’re disconnected physically. So, it’s important to prioritise things that might seem small but make the participants feel comfortable.
“The young people were interested in so many things: COVID-19, power dynamics, global warming, magic. Being able to harness all these ideas as a facilitator and enabling the young people to write a script about the things that matter to them, but also offers an element of escapism, is important.”
Read the full interview with James.
YOUNG CARERS
Feedback from young carers about the online drama project.
“I really liked the One Minute game and doing the acting. It was an excellent workshop.”
“In all parts [of the workshop] I tried to think outside of the box even in Pictionary. In the making of our story I used more of my imagination. I also used my imagination to cry when we did voice acting for the recording.”
“I enjoyed working with others as everyone had a different personality and I feel like everyone had a great time. It was nice to see people’s faces even if it was just through an app. I think the way Create did it was very good and very productive for everyone.”
“[James] is very funny. He’s light-hearted and isn’t afraid to be out there and bold.”
BRENTFORD FC COMMUNITY SPORTS TRUST’S YOUNG CARERS PROJECT
Reflections from Kathryn Sobczak – Young Carers Project Coordinator. The Project provides support and advice to young carers living in the boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.
“The social interaction side of this project was crucial, even more so than usual. Many of our young carers are more isolated than ever without school, particularly if their parent can’t leave the house. This session offered the young carers a creative release and enabled them to talk to their friends and in some cases make new friends.
“The young people were encouraged to look at the stories from their own perspective and the work was completely led by their ideas. They worked together to create the story, teamwork was encouraged throughout and the young people shared their ideas with each other.
“The young people’s confidence and self-esteem grew over the three days. The drama games allowed them to become more comfortable and the smaller groups enabled them to grow in confidence. The young carers were very happy with the final piece of work and had a real sense of accomplishment.”
