This project involved working with a group of young people (aged 10-18 years) in Newington through a range of participatory arts practice (linking to the Creative Champions group) and supported new initiatives that positively benefitted the community. This project built on the work with People United, with a developed understanding of the community and brought an additional element to the work already undertaken focusing on young people at Newington Youth Club. It explored and supported young people’s ideas and how using the arts’ builds confidence and benefits the wider community. Positive engagement with young people was a key priority.

This project has been designed with the young people of Newington, providing positive creative

opportunities and to change peoples often negative perceptions of them.

Young Voices Brilliant Makers Club - a monthly art club that runs once a month at the weekends with additional sessions during schools holidays from the community centre.

Newington’s Chill Club -  an alternative club for children and young people, led by professional visual artist Nova Marshall and highly skilled volunteers. The club took place on a Monday evening from 6pm – 8pm from Newington Community Centre for children and young people aged 10-18 years. The idea behind the club was for young people to come along and tell us what they wanted their club to be and what they wanted to see happen in their community. It was about listening to children and young people, asking them what they wanted - a club that was fun and exciting.

Best Fest 2017 - Nova worked with young people and Creative Champions to consider the arts

programming for Best Fest. Activities included:

Chill Club Films

Four films were made by the young people with support from Hannah and Mats from Buckle Up Films. These were showcased in the black tent at Best Fest.

Bamboo Dance: Chill Club Performance

From the rehearsals at Chill Club, some of the young people were confident enough to perform at Best Fest, led by Frankie Ward.

Kindness Activity led by young artist, Chanese

Participants were asked two questions - What colour is kindness? and What shape is kindness? people would select different colour and shaped objects and place them in two jars.

Newington Carnival Club

Ramsgate Arts came along and led creative carnival arts workshops and performances.

ART31 Festival Tipis

Nova ran a participatory activity that asked people to have conversations about love within a tipi and then come out and create a piece of bunting and peg it on to the ribbon.

Heart Weaving led by artist, Amanda Thesiger

Amanda taught participants how to create woven hearts using wool, card and wire.

I AM (Installation) by artist, Nova Marshall

This project was a acollaboration with some young people from Newington, providing an opportunity to challenge and change peoples often negative perceptions of young people in the area.

With thanks to the funders and supporters of this project:

Arts Council England, Newington Big Local, Big Lottery Fund, ART31, A F Blakemore

Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation and People United.