"My favourite things are that I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do. I just do what comes to mind. It’s not like school, there’s no rules. You can just be yourself."

"I love my veg patch. I like seeing the progress each week. When you are growing things, you can really see the difference you are making."

"I feel more confident and brave about things. Yes, I'm proud of what I've done."

"I've told my friends about our sessions and they all want to come!"

"I definitely would never have done these paintings without this project."

My work with The Mighty Creatives began with one clear aim: to make their social media a space that not only talked about youth voice but was shaped and led by it.

I’m a proud member of The Mighty Creatives’ Youth Board and someone who knows, very personally, just how life-changing creativity can be - not just as an outlet, but as a lifeline.

“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.”

“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."

“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.

"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."

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

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.

"I feel confident, focused, excited and calm... this isn't where I expected to be."

"A trip to London with Sophie would be my perfect day."

"I feel like I'm building a bond with you."

Student paediatric nurse Ashleigh took on a month long placement with us at The Mighty Creatives to work on her Creative Writing Packs - a project for children and young people in hospitals in Nottinghamshire. Here she reflects on the work she's produced and her time at TMC.

Sophiya tells us about her experiences of YEF, how it’s supported her to take on new projects, and how it’s helped to inspire her future.