This past April, Hannah – one of our incredible Youth Board members – led us through a powerful series of daily Autism Acceptance Journal Prompts, designed to invite self-reflection, creative expression and community connection.

“I feel like a child! The paint can go wherever you want it to go and no-one will tell me off! It’s really fun.”

Leicester-based creative youth charity, The Mighty Creatives, was proud to host a special visit from the Mayor of Krefeld, Germany, last weekend as part of a cultural exchange initiative celebrating the long-standing twinning relationship between the two cities and to discuss the challenges facing young people.

“I have learned a lot and was excited every week for our sessions together.”

“It looks so much better than I imagined it would.”

“She is just what we were hoping for from a Creative Mentor and they are a perfect fit. I just wanted to let you know how much her support is valued and how great we think she is.”

“She talks to me like a person.”

“I didn’t move the whole time! It was amazing, I want to go again, but it’s not on any more.”

“There was a change that instead of him being more passive he would become very, very active about his thinking and what he thought about things. That was a huge change.”

“This kind of creative child-centred practice allows Creative Mentors to be flexible and non-judgmental, and gives control and choice to their Creative Mentees.”

Midland’s based organisations, Arts Connect and The Mighty Creatives (TMC), are leading the way in England with a pioneering new partnership programme.

New appointments set to strengthen The Mighty Creatives’ strategic development plans to reach more under-represented young people through person-centred creative interventions.

“I’ll tell you what… my art skills have been so much better since I started this course!”

“Confidence grew over the sessions and Toby was never shy about talking about his interests, becoming more confident sharing how he felt – for example, about his dad or being worried about going to secondary school.”

“She’s actually done more than what a therapist has done for me. She’s just helped me out a lot.”

“I’ve realised I can actually take really good pictures! I have learnt new things like how to book trains and get around visiting cities and places which is super exciting. I have built up confidence in myself to be able to explore more.”

Ryan is a young person involved in the youth consultation of the SPROCKET (Systems and Process Redesign and Optimisation at Childhood Key Events and Transitions) project. As a proud partner of the SPROCKET project, we asked Ryan to share his experiences as a young person living with complex health needs.

Resources for young people who may be feeling upset, worried, anxious, overwhelmed or concerned by recent news.

“I really appreciate the fact you are honest with me.”

“It’s been great to see Jaya’s progress! The relationship Jaya and Lauren built enabled Jaya to engage really well with the creative activities and also gave Jaya the confidence to create and choreograph her own Dance routines.”

“Olivia came in very closed off – but as soon as she started her art she immediately became engaged.”

“… but I am a good kid!”

“I am happy all day when I know Rebecca is coming and always happy when she’s with me.”

Openess and agility are the watchwords when it comes to handling the digital nomads of Generation Z, according to a roundtable of leading cross-industry voices.

Our CEO, Dr Nick Owen, reflects on the first day in Krefeld, Germany visiting our project partners Werkhaus e.V. for an exciting transnational collaboration.

Creativity quite honestly saved my life. As much as that is such a cringey and cliché thing to say, the power of creativity is one we too often underestimate.

We caught up with Claire Parker, a HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist and TMC Creative Mentor, to talk about the differences between Art Therapy and Creative Mentoring.