Activate: Empowering Vulnerable Youth Through Drama
Over the spring 2024 Elevator Arts had the pleasure of working on Activate with pupils from Friars Primary School & Southchurch High School in partnership with Southend Virtual School for Looked After & Previously Looked After Children.
Southend Virtual School identified a critical need for targeted intervention to uplift the mental well-being, confidence, and positive self-expression of vulnerable youth. Activate was devised to engage students in structured arts activities that can support mental health & build emotional resilience. By providing a platform for creative exploration and expression, Activate aims to bridge the gap of inequalities, fostering a nurturing environment where every young person can thrive.
“The facilitators encouraged positive self-belief.”
“All the children were excited to take part and knew they could express their emotions in the safe space created.”
- Teacher feedback
The project was young people centred with pupils shaping the content according to their own interests and needs. They delved into the playful realms of drama games and improv, unleashing their imaginations to create characters and storyboards that leapt off the page. Amidst the buzz of creativity, they also found moments of calm, crafting personalised t-shirts and masks, infusing each piece with their unique personality. It was a journey guided by their passions, pulling together the threads of creative discovery and self-expression.
“My favourite part was looking at everyone’s drawings, the games and making books.”
“Taking part made me feel happy & listened to. I enjoyed making the art work.”
Pupil Feedback
Elevator Arts would like to thank staff & pupils at Southchurch High School & Friars Primary School for their commitment to the project and we are very grateful to the partnership support of Southend Virtual School.
Activate was gratefully funded by the Norman Garon Trust and by the Jerome Booth Charitable Fund and the Southend Education Fund, both administered by Essex Community Foundation.
All photos: Film Free Photography
