Recently we started our Flying Start Project with Edmonton Community Partnership in Enfield. Working with child refugees and child asylum seekers to help them build resilience and improve their future prospects. This week the project saw participants create their very own ‘Wonder Wall’.
A safe space for self expression
The Flying Start Project has many creative elements as it is designed to create a safe space for self expression, reflection and awareness. By discussing stress and anxiety, we build resilience, however we know this can be a triggering and draining topic. We achieve a balance through exploring and planning for success, leaning towards a more positive and uplifting conversation with the young person.
We are currently working with child refugees and asylum seekers who are, understandably, feeling disheartened by not being in education, employment or training (NEET) due to their immigration status. In light of the daily and ongoing challenges these particular young people are facing our intention is to provide them with hope for the future.
The Flying Start ‘Wonder Wall’
It’s an exciting project that re-uses recycled materials to create art. This week’s session includes creating a ‘Wonder Wall’. Participants make a collage from scrap paper, old magazines and newspaper cutouts, maps and photographs. By ripping materials apart then resembling them to form a creative expression of future, goals, hopes and aspirations. It can also be a reflection of a young person’s self identity or a motivational board with affirmations and quotes. The aim is to create art that visually ignites positivity and in simple terms evokes ‘a good feeling’ and it can tell a personal story.
We are working with young people, where English is not their first language. This means there’s great scope for learning and development. The Flying Start is part of the Trinity Arts Awards programme. Those who are NEET can obtain a qualification, through the Arts Awards aspect of the Flying Start Project. We are building on the learning by encouraging the young person to explore other collage artists. They may discover the work of Hannah Höch, be influenced by the Surrealists Joseph Cornell and create a three dimensional assemblage piece, or be inspired by Nancy Spero‘s work and introduce poetry into their collage.
Art, creativity and mental health
Art and creativity plays a key role in promoting mental health and wellbeing among child refugees and young asylum seekers. Next week, The Gifted will support this group to label their emotions. The aim is to develop ‘emotional intelligence’, communication skills and self awareness. Let’s see how these emotions are expressed on a blank canvas with colour.
Thank you to Edmonton Community Partnership for partnering with us and supporting this project. Contact The Gifted to make any referrals for a young person at risk or if you would like to partner with us.
Find out more about this project by reading our previous blog ‘A Flying Start in Enfield‘.
