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Young people used their creativity to brighten up the Borough during lockdown as part of a six-week Art with Ambition project.
Each week over 100 young people received a new creative activity pack complete with materials and instructions. There were two versions of the pack with one targeted at those under 10, and one for those aged 10 to 18.
Activities for the under 10s included creating an illusion torch, handprint bouquets, bird-oculars (made from toilet roll tubes), a mini flower garden, flower basket and star sun catchers.
For the over 10s, exercises focused on sketching practice from Heather Thomas, Head of Learning and Engagement at The Lightbox, including creating colour abstracts, perspective technique and using watercolour pencils. Sophie Woolley, local artist specialising in calligraphy and watercolour, provided calligraphy exercises including lettering and bunting.
The project, funded by Woking Borough Council and run in partnership with The Lightbox and #WeAreWoking, was about fun, trying something new and making people smile. Art with Ambition gave families the opportunity to try new things, and fill life with colour and creativity.
Speaking about the project Heather Thomas said: “Lockdown and the ongoing Covid situation has meant that everyone has had to make major changes in the way they live. This project gave us the opportunity to give children and young people the tools to be creative at home; to improve their wellbeing and confidence, learn something new and be able to take a step away from Covid and school work to do something for themselves.”
Woking Borough Council’s family support team were in contact with over 100 vulnerable families, including refugee families, and young people from Woking Youth Projects also took part including young carers.
Being creative is proven to help wellbeing and confidence and the activities also gave young people a form of ‘escapism’ particularly with the schools being closed.
Young people were encouraged to share their completed artwork on social media with the hashtag #WeAreWoking.