Participant Group: Young and adult carers

Meet Ava and Luisa: “WE CREATED A MASTERPIECE!”

Posted on May 24, 2023 by - Stories

change:matters Staffordshire artwork

meet ava and luisa: “WE CREATED A MASTERPIECE!”

change:matters Staffordshire artwork
change:matters Staffordshire artwork created by young carers

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner. According to Carers UK, there are an estimated 6.5 million carers across the UK, of which an estimated 800,000 are children and young people. 

Our change:matters project enables young carers to explore money and financial education creatively, engaging their imaginations and nurturing their wellbeing at the same time.

We chatted to Ava and Luisa about their experience on change:matters in Staffordshire.

MEET AVA

“My caring responsibilities began when my brother was born, about six or seven years ago. As a young carer, I definitely feel that my life is different from others my age. I spend all my time caring. Even when I’m not home, I’m on standby or on call, in case something happens. I’m worried about my family, especially when I’m not there. Most people go to college or education settings but they don’t have any worries. I find that if I’m at college, I get worried about what’s happening at home.

LEARNING SOMETHING NEW

“During this project we went food shopping to find out what the best prices would be at certain places. We learnt about savings accounts and current accounts and what the difference between these is, as well as credit and debit cards. Then we made animations, which involved stop-motion and cutting out things. I really enjoyed working with my group, they were really nice; and [Create artist] Chloe is lovely! She’s someone you’d want to be friends with because she’s laid back.

“The top three things I learnt on change:matters were the difference between a credit and debit card; the difference between interest rates and loans, because I thought that would come in useful in the future; and that it’s probably cheaper to shop in Lidl than anywhere else! I’ll definitely use what I’ve learnt in the future.

LETTING GO THROUGH CREATIVITY

“In college, I have to do work, which I feel stunts my creativity, because I want to be creative but I have a task to follow. I’ve been able to let go a little here, because it’s a project for young carers, as opposed to feeling selfish because I’m going out just to enjoy myself, so it’s less stressful. I’m learning on this project, so I’m not feeling as guilty because it’s helpful for my situation.

“Projects like this help young carers because it teaches us about things that schools probably don’t, but should. It prepares us for life with the stuff we’ve been taught so I think it is really helpful. Not only does it give us a place to go, where we can be less worried and get out the house, but it also gives us something to learn about that we can apply in the future.”

change:matters Staffordshire sharing
change:matters Staffordshire sharing with family and friends

MEET LUISA

“I was around 10 years old when I began caring. I feel the same as Ava, to be honest, I’m always caring and my role still plays on my mind when I’m out. Life as a young carer is definitely difficult, there’s more struggles and concerns.

“I don’t get the chance to be creative normally, because I don’t have drawing pads or anything. Working with my friends on these animations was just amazing and a different experience, and working with [Create artist] Chloe was really fun too.

“We created a masterpiece! Our first theme was savings accounts, and our animation told a story about a piggy who beat up the bank person. The project taught me the difference between debit and credit cards, as well as inspiring me to be creative and gain experience in communication and leadership skills. Projects like this one help young carers because they get our minds away from things and really distract us.”  

change:matters in Staffordshire was funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity.

calc

meet anna, a young carer from cambridge

Posted on April 27, 2023 by - News

artspace cambridge

meet anna, a young carer from cambridge

In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. Developed in 2007 with British Land, art:space was our first programme with young carers, and continues to provide young carers in different geographical locations with respite and the chance to develop their creative skills, build their confidence and make new friends.

Anna (13) took part in the three-day art:space music project in Cambridge. She shared her experiences with us.

artspace cambridge

“I’ve been a carer for a few years now. My sister had brain surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. Since then, she’s been on medication. She has been affected long-term because her brain was damaged, and it’s had some emotional effects on her too. I also care for my mum who has ADHD, and I look after both of them as my dad isn’t around. I started caring when I was young and I didn’t really understand everything, but now I get the support I need.

“I NEVER STOPPED SMILING WHEN WE PLAYED MUSIC TOGETHER.”

anna, young carer

discovering creativity

“Before coming to the project, I wanted to do a lot more music but I didn’t know how to get started. The project allowed us to create our own music on guitar and percussion instruments. Kate taught us all the different sounds we can create. We’ve learnt about the different instruments you can hit, and how we can use our body to create sounds. It has given me a lot of inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation to try new things. It might encourage me to write a few more songs.

“I think being creative opens a lot of opportunities and thoughts, especially at a young age like mine. In school we do music lessons, but otherwise I don’t always get the opportunity to be creative. Sometimes if I’m in a mood or have something in my brain, I’ll just write it down and see if I can create something. This project was definitely something different and nice to do.

building community

“It’s been great getting to know everyone and meeting a whole bunch of new people. I’ve liked learning about their caring role, that’s been really fun. I never stopped smiling when we were playing music as a group. It was great to be together, and learn about each other’s experiences.

While on the project, we got to meet Dame Evelyn Glennie (Create Patron) at her studio. She showed us a range of percussion instruments, and even let us have a turn playing them! I like when she showed me this plucking instrument, it makes a really nice sound. I was a bit nervous but I got to play it, which was nice. Meeting Dame Evelyn was one of my personal project highlights!

related articles

YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

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art:space Cambridge is supported by British Land.

British Land logo

YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

Posted on April 27, 2023 by - News

YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. During the project, the group were treated to a special excursion. They visited Create Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie’s music studio and explored her impressive collection of rare percussion instruments. The trip provided them with creative inspiration to take into their music workshops on the following days.

Create Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie has performed worldwide as a percussionist and has composed music for film, television and media libraries. She was awarded an OBE in 1993 and has over 100 international awards to date, including the Polar Music Prize and the Companion of Honour. Evelyn has been a supporter of Create’s work for many years, and became a Patron in 2007.

We spoke to Evelyn about her support of our work, and her session with this passionate group of young carers.

“We’ve had a wonderful gathering of young carers and they have been shown the collection of instruments. We have been reflecting on various ways of listening. We’ve been around the world looking at all the instruments, and sharing ideas and thoughts. The young people were incredibly passionate about the conversations and … I learnt a lot from meeting them, so it’s been a wonderful session.

embracing the individual

“Create is an incredible organisation that really embraces so many different subjects. It isn’t only music, but it’s really about tapping into the story of each individual.

artspace cambridge

“We all need to be inspired and we all are creative beings. Sometimes we just have to find where that seed lies or where the entry point is. Create lets people be given the opportunity. In my case, I was given the opportunity to be introduced to music at school and that set me on my journey. We all need that kind of inspiration. I think it’s all of our duty to connect with others and find out what it is that makes them tick as people, and then try to support that as much as we can.

inspiring futures

“We have seen examples of people wanting to be ambassadors for Create because of their experiences working and collaborating with the incredible team. I think the difference that’s been made to so many people’s lives has been extraordinary.

“It definitely inspired me. I wanted to MAKE more music before but I didn’t know how to get started. Now I’ve got more inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation again to try things out.”

art:space cambridge participant

“creativity ignites curiosity”

“Creativity doesn’t mean that you have to be talented at something, it’s quite simply finding that thing that you’re passionate about.”

dame evelyn glennie

“Creativity ignites curiosity. Curiosity often really gets you out of the comfort zone, and it’s really quite healthy to be out of the comfort zone. There’s that wonderful balance of dealing with the unknown, but yet you practise the art of observing, and listening is all about observing.

Create’s Founding CEO Nicky Goulder, who also attended the visit, said: “We are so privileged to have an inspirational group of Patrons who support our work. It’s wonderful to see how they encourage and motivate our participants. These real-world experiences go on to inspire futures. The group of talented young carers in Cambridge had the opportunity to explore creativity through new instruments, sounds and methods, while engaging in a community of like-minded people. They enjoyed themselves so much, and I was so excited to hear the music they created following their visit to Evelyn’s studio.”

MEET ANNA, A YOUNG CARER FROM CAMBRIDGE

Young carer Anna (13) took part in our three-day art:space music project in Cambridge. Read about her experience here.

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listen to music created on art:space cambridge

“Bells”

“It’S GONNA TAKE SOME TIME”

“TICK TOCK”

art:space Cambridge is supported by British Land.

British Land logo

young carers action day 2023: meet JACOB

Posted on March 15, 2023 by - Stories

ycad northern ireland

young carers action day 2023: meet JACOB

Young Carers in Northern Ireland screen the films they created on our inspired:arts YCAD filmmaking project.

During February 2023, our professional artist Linda Mason led filmmaking workshops with young carers from Belfast at Create’s very first project in Northern Ireland. inspired:arts Northern Ireland was part of our Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) programme, which culminated in an online Showcase on Wednesday 15 March.

We spoke to young carer Jacob (12), who shared his experience.

“As a young carer, my life is a bit different to other young people my age. [My peers] aren’t caring for someone but I spend my time helping others. It can limit the time I have to do other things, like homework. But it can also be a positive thing. It enables me to help people.

“WE WERE ABLE TO EXPRESS OUR IDEAS OPENLY.”

JACOB, young carer

“This week I’ve taken part in a filmmaking project. I’ve made two films; a silent movie called “James Blonde”, and we also made a movie about being a young carer and what it’s all about. It showed how Young Carers helps us to be ourselves. I really enjoyed how we were able to make what we wanted. We didn’t have a real set boundary. If you got told that you had to do something like a spy movie, you’d have to do a spy movie, but we didn’t. We just got to do what we wanted. I learnt about angles and how much goes into each shot, and how to plan out each scene. I also learnt how the person behind the camera interacts with actors. The project also improves teamwork skills and being able to express our ideas openly.

“this project felt different. it was immersive!”

JACOB, young carer

“Doing something creative felt enjoyable. I get the chance to be creative at school, in drama or art class, but this felt different. It felt more immersive. I think it’s important to be creative because it helps your brain stay awake.

“I think in the future I’d like to go on to do creative work, but something more arty; and I like photography as well.”

Watch JACOB’s film

young carers action day scotland

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Meet Renee, an adult carer from Islington

Posted on January 25, 2023 by - Stories

creative voices Islington

Meet Renee, an adult carer from Islington

creative voices Islington

creative:voices is Create’s multi-artform programme that enables adult carers to take a creative break from their caring responsibilities, build trusting relationships with their peers and develop communication skills, new interests and confidence.

During September and October 2022, carers from Islington took part in six, weekly visual art workshops with our professional ceramic artist Liz Jackson.

Adult carer Renee (57) told us about her experiences.

“I have been caring for my mother for 15 years. Taking on caring responsibilities was hard because I wasn’t expecting it. I’d gone through a divorce and I’d just come home. Something happened to mum and she asked me to stay. I was self-employed but that job disappeared because I couldn’t travel up and down the country anymore.

“Mum’s doing really well, and I got her through COVID. I got COVID and she didn’t. I was so sick I thought I was going to die, so afterwards I thought: ‘I need to change the way I live.’ Now I live a short distance away [from mum] and my brothers do more to help, but I’m still the primary carer. It’s not easy.

Telling stories through art

“I have discovered that I love drawing. I now carry a little notebook with me.”

renee, adult carer

“This Create project was an opportunity to learn some new crafts. We did a range: drawing, painting, weaving and clay work. I had a lovely time. I have discovered that I love drawing, and I now carry a little notebook with me.

“I made a little feathery blue and white dreamcatcher which is now sitting in my bedroom. It’s so pretty, but it’s also a meaningful ornament. I think I need my artistry to have some sort of meaning or purpose and a dreamcatcher is a story. How did you make it? Who were you with? The story lives, in a way. I don’t have children. I think the need to create something that can outlast you is something fundamental to human nature. I like creating things from scratch.   

learning to play again

“I loved the project. It’s nice meeting other carers, chatting to people and just having a little bit of time for yourself. I also loved having a chance to explore and play and do things I haven’t done since I was a kid. I was told by a teacher I couldn’t draw, so I always thought I couldn’t. I’ve certainly said to that teacher, “you were wrong! You shouldn’t be telling children that they can’t do stuff!” Why should I be good at something the first time I try it?

“Working with everyone was really good. It was a nice harmonious group. I enjoy having people to play with. It’s that simple. Playing is fun and you often don’t do it. Life can be so serious and the challenges of doing what I do and holding a job, it’s just so hard. Having somewhere where you can come and play with other people who want to play and who are having similar challenges to you is really nice.

“Following these workshops, I now meet with two people I met at [the Create project] once a month. We eat and have a cup of tea and we bring our crafts out. It doesn’t matter what it is, we’ll just bring what we like, or nothing. It’s like a knit and natter class but it’s for arts and crafters.

“We’re all in isolated little pockets”

“Working with Liz was great too. She’s absolutely lovely. The thing that I really liked about her is that she let me be the creator I wanted to be. When we did the weaving, people were using the string and the wool, and I wanted to use ribbon. She didn’t bat an eyelid. When people were making small clay pots and I made a big one, she didn’t bat an eyelid. She believes in the right of the artist to create their own work, and that’s very valuable.

“Sometimes you’re pushed in very rigid ways and you can learn a craft but you don’t own what you’ve learnt. By letting me play and create the way I wanted to, I didn’t just own the end result, I owned the process.

“Projects like this help carers with our mental health. They give us somewhere to go. There’s a lot of fear. You don’t really know what we’re suffering because we’re all in houses by ourselves. We’re all in isolated little pockets, so unless we come together, we don’t know what’s happening for other people.

This project is funded by The Smiles Fund, awarding funds from Walkers and Comic Relief.

Meet Yvette, from our project with anthropologie

Posted on January 25, 2023 by - Stories

creative:me anthropologie islington

Meet Yvette, from our project supported by anthropologie

Photo by Alex Mooney

creative:me is Create’s programme in partnership with Anthropologie. In November and December 2022, we ran projects inspired by Anthropologie’s Christmas theme of “sparkling joy”.

As part of creative:me, adult carers from Islington took part in six, weekly visual art workshops with our professional artist Rachel McGivern. The project aimed to ignite adult carers’ imaginations, offer them an escape from everyday life and a break from their responsibilities, and help them connect with others.

Adult carer Yvette told us about her experiences.

“I moved back to London for my elderly mum about eight years ago. She is 82 and although she hasn’t been diagnosed with dementia, she’s very forgetful and she just couldn’t look after herself. Particularly since the pandemic she’s taken quite a downturn in her capabilities and her confidence levels.

“She relies on me for quite a lot. She’s stopped driving, so I do all the driving. I do the cooking and the cleaning and I look after her. Before, I used to be able to go away for a night and she’d be able to heat herself up some soup, but I think that’s beyond her now. She becomes more dependent on me as we go along.

“My mum’s quite needy and if I wasn’t strict with my boundaries, she would take all of my time and energy. Making time for myself has been the biggest challenge: setting my boundaries and maintaining them. It’s one thing to set them, but to maintain them constantly is the daily challenge.

“It’s nice to have time that’s just mine”


Photo by Alex Mooney

“Taking on caring responsibilities has changed my lifestyle. I work from home, which I actually really enjoy. However, I’m an introvert. I like one-on-one [interaction] with my friends and I used to go out a lot more to meet with friends and do more social things. I only do that once every couple of weeks at the most for an afternoon or an evening now. I’m much more housebound. It’s changed my life massively.

“It’s really nice to have a bit of the week that’s just mine. [The project] is a really nice environment, it’s a little outing every week I look forward to. “We’ve been doing lino printing, which has been brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed it. We’ve been printing onto fabric and painting and making lavender eye bags out of some of that fabric. I’ve learnt that it’s a step by step thing and it’s really effective. I’ve done it before but it was so many moons ago.

“When you’re at school, you’re in the habit of doing weird and interesting things in your art class but when you’re older you forget to do new things. It’s good for the brain health. I like meeting people. I really like the facilitators, I think they’re all really lovely. They’re gentle and focused, and they’re really good at confidence building. I think the group format works really well too.

I’ve worked with Create before and I’ve got a little portfolio of stuff I’ve done. It gives me a sense of wellbeing and inspires me.”

Yvette, adult carer

“I get creatively stimulated”

“I am really pleased with the work I did on lino, I get a really strong sense of satisfaction. I’ve worked with Create before and I’ve got a little portfolio of stuff I’ve done and it’s really nice to look back over it. It gives me a sense of wellbeing and it inspires me. I get creatively stimulated, I find that I go home and I’m ticking over in a way that I wasn’t ticking over before, so it will just fire up ideas. I’ll go home with my weird print and then I’ll want to make it into Christmas cards or I’ll want to make gift tags out of it or something. This year was the first year I’ve made Christmas cards in about six years and I know that it’s partly to do with feeling inspired by Create.

“Projects like this help because they allow me to have that time that’s just about me. I come back refreshed and ready to go again. It’s a bit of a recharge, a reset. Just that little moment out of each week gives me time where I’m not thinking about mum’s food or the next meal or whether she’s got clean pyjamas. I’m not thinking about any of her needs. I’m just thinking about running stitch.”

creative:me Islington was supported by Anthropologie. You can learn more about our partnership here.

Meet Cindy, an adult carer from Harrow

Posted on January 25, 2023 by - Stories

creative:voices ceramics harrow

Meet Cindy, an adult carer from Harrow

creative:voices is Create’s multi-artform programme that enables adult carers to take a creative break from their caring responsibilities, build trusting relationships with their peers and develop communication skills, new interests and confidence.

During September and October 2022, carers from Harrow took part in six, weekly ceramics workshops with our professional artist Amy Leung.

Adult carer Cindy (61) told us about her experiences.

Adult carer Cindy and Create artist Amy Leung working with clay on our creative:voices Harrow ceramics project.

“My two younger children, a 20-year-old and a 15-year-old, are both on the autistic spectrum. My 15-year-old has severe learning development and my older child is autistic but he’s high functioning and savant. Both of them have poor social skills and find it very difficult, they don’t have friends because they’re different.

“My 20-year-old also has Type 1 diabetes and I micro-manage his condition for him. I had to give up work as a school nurse because my son’s school couldn’t cope with it. I don’t get much sleep. I’m up in the middle of the night checking his diabetes because he injects about six or seven times a day. I have to weigh all of his food and calculate his insulin, so it’s pretty exhausting but it’s what I have to do and they’re my kids. I love them and I enjoy doing it, even if I’m tired.

“Projects like this help carers to meet one another because we are isolated in what we do.”

cindy, adult carer

making creativity accessible

“Taking on caring responsibilities has changed my life immensely. We don’t have much money. I’ve gone from a good wage to a carer’s allowance. It’s very hard.

“Projects like this help [carers] to meet one another because we are isolated in what we do. We’re at home a lot of the time, and because we have very little money, some of us can’t go out and socialise. It costs a lot of money to take care of children who have disabilities. Therefore, projects like this one are perfect. If I’d had to pay for it I’d really have thought twice. When I found out the project was free, I was amazed.

“The project was ceramics. We used self-hardening clay, which is brilliant because you can see the results immediately and you get a real sense of achievement. I didn’t have much experience in ceramics before. I did a little bit with my kids when I was younger, but I’ve enjoyed this more because I’m doing it for myself.

emptying our stress buckets

“I’ve enjoyed the whole experience, especially being with other people and doing a project that doesn’t mean we’re talking about our loved ones that we care for all of the time, because that doesn’t define us as people. It’s been good just talking utter rubbish. We talk about art in general, as well.

“We’ve just come into Diwali so we’ve been talking about the celebration and enjoying each other’s differences. We made diva candleholders, and the Hindu women’s painting designs on theirs were beautiful.

“Everyone got on really well and we were all encouraging each other. When you’re a carer you don’t feel you get that recognition, but here we’re all patting each other on the back. The workshop leaders have been great, very patient, very encouraging, making us feel like we’re fantastic at what we’re doing, even though we doubt ourselves. As each week has gone on, we’ve all progressed and got more confidence. You’re so engrossed in what you’re making, you tend not to dwell on the negative aspects of your life as a carer. You’re having fun, you’re in a different place and I think that’s the main objective. The project has taught me that I need to do something at home when I get time so I’m not obsessing about things that are going on in my life, with my kids, and myself and my limitations. Rather, I can do stuff if I just put my mind to it. I think it’s very important to be creative because we are such stress buckets, and I think we just need to empty our mind sometimes. We all have that potential to be creative, everybody does, no matter what it is that you’re creating.”

This project is funded by The Smiles Fund, awarding funds from Walkers and Comic Relief.

Meet Oliver, a young carer from Cheshire

Posted on January 25, 2023 by - Stories

Oliver drama workshop inspired:arts

Meet Oliver, a young carer from Cheshire

In October 2022, young carers from Crossroads Together in Cheshire took part in three days of drama workshops with Create’s professional artist Ben Mellor. The project enabled the young carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities, have fun, learn new skills, build relationships and express themselves.

Here you can read – and watch – what one of these young carers, Oliver (14), thought about the project, and Create’s work in general.

Oliver drama workshop inspired:arts
Create participants in inspired:arts drama workshop

“I care for my little siblings and a bit for my older sibling. My mum is a very busy person. She’s a single mum. I’m usually there to help watch the kids and make sure they’re okay.

“I suppose I was about seven when I started helping out with my older brother. He has autism, and I usually speak for him in public. If he’s in an uncomfortable situation I’d help him get out of it, things like that. I guess it got more [involved] when I turned about 10. My mum had my little sister, who’s now four.

“When I’m at home doing things for my family, it builds up, you wanting to do something. And when I come to Create [projects], I get to put all my energy into it and enjoy myself.

“It just feels nice to do something creative. I get to come here for three days and just enjoy myself, create something with other people.

“It just feels nice to do something creative.”

Oliver, young carer

the project

“We’ve been doing a drama workshop, working on acting and doing a little bit of musical stuff as well. It’s been really fun so far.

“I definitely enjoyed the creative writing, that was fun. It felt so fluid to keep writing. I liked the part where Ben [Create artist] pulled out different musical machines to experiment with. It was fun to bond with everyone and make some stuff together.

“I’ve learned to work with other people a lot better. When I first came to the projects, I just wanted to do my own thing, I just wanted to be like “everyone do this’; I want to do this”. But I’ve learnt to listen to people a lot more and understand what they want.

Oliver inspired arts music
Oliver playing the guitar during a Create workshop

“I came to a different music project and it had money tied into it [click to read about change:matters]. I thought: ‘I’m just going to come for the music, the money doesn’t even matter.’ But after actually coming to the project, I learned stuff about money that I didn’t already know, and I’ve started to apply some of that. I’ve built my own savings account. After I think it was the first or second day, I went home and I was like: ‘Mum, I need to open a savings account!’

“After each project I felt like I’d done something good. I felt like I’d learnt things and really enjoyed doing all of them. I felt like young carers were missing something in the summer holidays before it. Now whenever there is a summer holiday I look forward to going to another Create [project].

“Projects like these give young carers time to be themselves, to come and enjoy themselves and be away from what they do at home.”

These projects were funded by The Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity, The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund and The Zochonis Charitable Trust.

Meet Pam, an adult carer from Lewisham

Posted on December 14, 2022 by - Stories

Meet Pam, an adult carer from Lewisham

creative:voices is Create’s multi-artform programme that enables adult carers to take a creative break from their caring responsibilities, build trusting relationships with their peers and develop communication skills, new interests and confidence.

In September and October 2022, carers from Lewisham took part in six weeks of jewellery-making workshops with our professional artist Renata Minoldo.

Adult carer Pam (60+) told us about her experiences.

Lewisham jewellery making
A selection of jewellery pieces created on creative:voices Lewisham

“Being a carer brings limitations to time, limitations to what you can do. you never really know what’s around the corner.”

pam, participant

“I have a son who has a physical disability. And I cared for my husband who had his own disability. He sadly passed away several months ago. So this has been absolutely a lifeline to me. Overall, I’ve been caring for 42 years, since my son was born.

“Being a carer changed my lifestyle quite a lot, but we worked as a family team, and I feel privileged having the kind of family that I had, so I was still able to achieve things and do things. But all those things were done with extreme planning and consideration. I’m not saying everything was easy, it wasn’t. But it’s about knowing there are other people out there in similar situations, that you’re not on your own. It’s a very lonely place to be sometimes.

“Being a carer brings limitations to time, limitations to what you can do. For lots of people, unfortunately, there are financial limitations. And you never really know what’s around the corner.

“An ideal, perfect time”

Lewisham jewellery making
Participants creating jewellery at creative:voices Lewisham

“During the project I have created a bracelet, some earrings and some individualised keyrings. The keyrings are for my family members, for my daughters and grandchildren, and I’ve tried to individualise each one with a little tweak.

“I’ve definitely enjoyed the contact with other people. I’ve enjoyed looking at their creativity and ideas, and just being able to come somewhere and do something.

“In making the jewellery, I’ve learned to go with what you feel, and not to be too structured. You’ve got to be structured to a degree, but then let your creativity flow. I did feel a sense of achievement because certain elements for me I found a little bit tricky. But being shown how to do things, you can achieve. I enjoyed that.

“It was brilliant working with Renata. She’s very informative, very helpful. She shows you what to do in a way where you’re still achieving under your own steam, but she’s there to guide you verbally if you need it.

“It’s a lifeline”

“To be able to sit, be yourself and let that creativity flow is very relaxing and very self-fulfilling.”

Pam, participant

“It was absolutely brilliant working with the group. I enjoyed the company, I enjoyed listening to their ideas, listening to other things about people. It was an ideal, perfect time for me.

“It felt brilliant doing something creative, because certain elements of the creativity I didn’t know were within me. So actually to achieve something and have an end product feels really good. To be able to sit, be yourself and let that creativity flow is very relaxing and very self-fulfilling.

“It’s important to have a chance to be creative because you can show your individuality through doing projects. The main thing I’ve learnt is that for me at my time in life I need the company of people in similar situations to myself. And that I’m not actually alone. It’s nice to know you’re in a similar position. Physically you might be alone at times, but you are not alone. You’re part of a community.

“Projects like this turn you into that individual. You are who you are. You’re not just “the carer”. You’re an individual. And you can laugh, you can cry, you can share experiences, you can share your knowledge, and that’s a lifeline.”  

This project is funded by The Smiles Fund, awarding funds from Walkers and Comic Relief.

Create features in Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition

Posted on December 7, 2022 by - News, Blogs

Artwork by young carers from Lambeth on display at Grayson's Art Club: The Exhibition at MAC Birmingham, November 2022

Create features in Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition

Artwork by young carers from Lambeth on display at Grayson's Art Club: The Exhibition at MAC Birmingham, November 2022
Artwork by young carers from Lambeth on display at Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition at MAC Birmingham, November 2022

Last Thursday evening, a colleague and I had the privilege of attending the private view of “Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition” at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham. Ahead of the public opening the following day, the event brought together dozens of incredible artists whose work – and stories – featured in Channel 4’s popular TV series during March and April 2022, hosted by acclaimed artists Grayson and Philippa Perry.

Our visual art project with a group of young carers from Lambeth was featured during the episode themed “Heroes and Heroines”. Working with our professional artist Rachel McGivern, the young people created three life size “hero(in)es”: Army Guy; Boss Girl; and Ocean Cleaner. You can read more about the project and Philippa Perry’s visit in the blog that we published back in March. Seeing their monumental artwork displayed in the exhibition alongside work by so many other artists including Grayson and Philippa Perry made me feel both proud and moved. Young carers cope with so much in their lives and it was incredibly special to see their creative talent showcased for all to witness and enjoy.

A further highlight of the evening was meeting other artists and hearing their stories. We met Juno Walker on the bus and during the evening, who told us that their powerful image Juno Moons was “like a little blueprint for my future. I’m a non-binary trans man … and I’ve been thinking a lot about what that means for me.”* Seeing their reaction to meeting Grayson was truly uplifting. We met Yvonne Haines who told us that she painted the moving picture of her mum Sun Over the Yardarm shortly before her mum moved into a care home. It is deeply personal and so full of love. I enjoyed chatting with Holly Unwin: she told us that she painted Stop kissing in public it’s mingin’ after she split up with her partner, when she got fed-up seeing public displays of affection everywhere.

Finally, it was so joyful to meet Pauline Farrar and see her glorious The Throne of Succulents, which was stunningly lit in an outside space. She explained: “I am one of the hundreds of disabled artists in the UK. I am also housebound and to combat the isolation I created a very unique garden on my doorstep.”* She continued by explaining that around 100 people a day now visit, giving her connection and conversation. “One person told me they had walked 40 minutes to visit it. I can well understand why. It is gorgeous and we only saw part of it.

In the exhibition catalogue*, Grayson writes: “One of the great purposes of art is to celebrate. … Art helps us cope. One recurring theme in the art sent in was that normal life for a lot of you is tough and making art can help you deal with difficulties, both physical and emotional. … Art is a place in our heads where we can retreat to in times of stress, a sanctuary. … Art can be an act of love. … Art is also a platform from which to broadcast opinion, garner support and express outrage.”

A brief clip of Grayson Perry addressing the audience at the launch of Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition, and a glimpse of the Create artwork

The use of art for all of those purposes was clear to see in the exhibition and the conversations we had: artists used art as a means of self-expression, as a way of coping, as a way of capturing love, as a way of expressing their outrage.

As the founder of a creative arts charity, I am passionate about the power of the creative arts to bring people together, to give people a voice, to inspire, empower and upskill people. This wonderful exhibition, of which we are so proud to be part, demonstrates so powerfully why the creative arts should be made available to everyone.

Creativity is not a nice to have; it is a vital part of who we are as individuals.

Nicky Goulder
Founding CEO

Grayson’s Art Club: The Exhibition is open at MAC until Sunday 16 April 2023.

* Text taken from “Grayson’s Art Club The Exhibition Volume III”

Create on Grayson’s Art Club