Mobile arts units was well used by young people on Kings Heath Square this Friday. All Saints Youth Project have been running workshops throughout the week of half term, and for the final day, the mobile unit supported activities. In the morning a stay and play group from All Saints Community Centre ran halloween activities outside, swiftly followed by a local band from the youth club. Later on Meddy Ranks ran drum workshops from the unit. It was also an opportunity to meet up on a cold day and have some fun.
For me, it was great to see young people on the square in half term playing music and just hanging out. Young people in Kings Heath are seen as responsible for so many of the 'problems' in Kings Heath, while at the same time youth services, library services and other activities are being either cut or reduced.
On November 5th Kitchen Garden Cafe will host a debate on problems in in Kings Heath and what we can do, hosted by University of Birmingham. Key issues already identified in our area has been road safety and anti-social behaviour.
Participants:
ReplyDeleteAged 13 and Under:28
Aged 13-18:35
Adults: 8
Please find below a report from one of the young people
'I think i had the best day at club today. the stage came today, it was like a stage on a van. me Shannon,Kathii and Rheanne doing Use Somebody with the music video playing in the background then had a sing song to Wonderwall, Then Until 12:30 we was just plugging in our MP3's into the sound system and listening to our music on the stage and just chilling. Then after lunch we went outside on the stage again and did Use Somebody and Wonderwall again and then the BBC came i think they were filming us in the Background. '
Youth worker comments:
The Arts Unit acted as a cohesive method, which saw a variety of ages coming together to enjoy the space and event together. We predominantly had Under 8's attending before 11 am, all of whom were transfixed with the van and enjoyed making Halloween Arts.
Following this period, the van was predominantly used by participants of All Saints Youth Project [mostly 13 to 18]. It was a chance for these young people to take the stage, their confidence growing as their friends joined in with a sing along. Meddy Ranks then held a drumming workshop on the unit.
The mixture of the mobile arts unit and the marvelous variation of arts acted as a very positive and enduring event, pulling in members of the public to enjoy the 'Diversability' of All Saints Youth Project'