B Creative - Arts Activism project for young women
1
The Pitch
Problem statement
The pandemic has had a devastating effect on young women. According to The Young Women’s Trust (2021) - more than half say they have been affected financially, with one in ten unable to afford food or other essentials. 83% say that their mental health has suffered, 55% have experienced depression this year. Recent concerns around women’s safety have added to these pressures. The B Creative programme works with young women aged 16-25, facing multiple barriers to success - young parents, young women with disabilities, looked after young women, young carers, and young women on low incomes. They tell us they want opportunities for personal/social development and to contribute to their community.
Solution
We will run an arts activism project for young women, co-designed and delivered with young women in collaboration with inspiring female artists. Together they will design a creative campaign aiming to improve the lives of young women and their community. They will learn about and be inspired by examples of women's activism; develop creative skills in photography, design, writing and performance; and create a bold, eye-catching campaign to inspire others. The campaign will be shared through social media (Instagram), live events, publishing and merchandise (T-shirts, badges etc). Young women will develop skills and confidence, and make a difference, improving their wellbeing and life chances.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
All Change has delivered successful creative projects with communities and young people - particularly those who experience disadvantage, for over 35 years. Our B Creative programme began in 2011. Our co-production approach, using arts activities, with peer and pastoral support, is successful in reaching and engaging young people in meaningful activities, developing skills and confidence, supporting them to make positive choices and to progress into work and education. A team of 4x young women aged 16-25, will be employed (at LLW) to co-produce this project, providing paid work-based training opportunities for local young women, who will encourage trust and participation of their peers.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Young Creatives team wages x4 x24hrs each @11.05 per hr (8x 2hr workshops + time for planning and events) | £1,060 |
| Project Artist 1 fees - photography/design: x8 Workshops @125 per session + planning and production x 1 days @£250 | £1,250 |
| Project Artist 2 fees - writing/performance fees: x8 Workshops @125 per session + planning and production x 1 days @£250 | £1,250 |
| Art materials and equipment @ £50 per session x8 | £400 |
| Participant support costs - travel and refreshments @ £50 per session x8 | £400 |
| Campaign events and artworks | £640 |
Beneficiaries
40 people
Expected impact
Through taking part, 4x Young Creatives - young women age 16-25 paid at London Living Wage, and 36x young women age 16-25 who face barriers to participation - young parents, young women with disabilities, looked after young women, young carers, and young women on low incomes - will develop: o New skills and confidence; o an understanding of how to express and use their voices to make a difference; o knowledge and understanding of careers and education opportunities in the creative industries; o new personal and professional connections; o a sense of pride and belonging in their local community o ideas and plans for their future o the opportunity to achieve an Arts Award qualification. Together they will design and carry out a creative campaign which makes a difference to their local community. Families - including the babies and children of the young parents, will benefit indirectly through the improved skills, confidence, wellbeing and life chances of the young women taking part
Track record
Since 2011 the B Creative programme has offered local young women a chance to develop skills and confidence, and to make a difference. It has provided paid employment for 25 young women, including young parents and young women with disabilities. The project has run successful creative campaigns. In 2018, young women ran @b_leeders a social media campaign to address Period Poverty, raising £500 to buy disposable menstrual products for those who need them (available free, no questions asked at Islington Central Library Tricky Period initiative). In 2021 young women ran a Walk, Talk, Chalk campaign to address women’s safety, working with local women, the police, Emily Thornberry MP and Islington4Women, they led a women’s walk, performing powerful poetry and chalking positive messages into the local streets. Moving away (for University) really made me appreciate just how special an organisation you guys are and how lucky I was to have the opportunity with B Creative – Katya age 20.