Youth Services are back at the HAC this summer for youth work wellbeing programme
Posted on 19 Jul 2024
Youth Services will be back at the Harbour Arts Centre on Monday, August 5 until Friday, August 9 for a week-long drama workshop.
Now fully booked, the popular drama programme taking place (10am until 4pm) daily will blend the power of youth work with confidence-building and wellbeing sessions for primary and secondary aged children/young people and many performers from last year are back to experience the action again.
One young show-stopper who heard about the free workshops following a visit to her local library was Eva age 7 who said previously: “Drama for Wellbeing was so much fun and I’m looking forward to coming back. I was really afraid at first but I now have so many new friends.
“The Drama for Wellbeing youth workers helped me to believe I could do anything and when I went back to school after the holidays, I was able to tell my class all about what we learned about mental health so they can know what to do too if someone needs help.”
With mum adding, “I am so proud of Eva and her friends. Their drama performances were so emotional to watch and it’s nice to know that with the help of the youth workers there that she has gained confidence and wants to try out more youth clubs like this again in the future."
And a 15-year old who took part previously shared: “I enjoyed everything, I liked writing my own script and taking part in the action. Being part of this mental health themed programme has impacted me personally to think about myself and my wellbeing more.”
The programme is a brilliant example of how the Council continues to champion children and young people’s rights – building their confidence and encouraging them to learn new skills beyond the classroom.
Drama for Wellbeing also centres around the Council’s ongoing work around The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - an important, legally binding agreement which outlines the fundamental rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.
In this case, the workshop focusses on Article 13 – freedom of expression and Article 31 – the right to relax, play, learn and develop.
Councillor Hill, Cabinet Member for Communities and Islands shares: “Our colleagues across Youth Services are excited to be back on the road this summer with final preparations now underway for our outdoors, drama and cyber resilience workshops happening across communities.
“We hope that the youth work delivered provides a safe and supportive environment for young people to be themselves, have their say on what matters to them in their local area and most importantly have fun across the various venues we are fortunate to have here in North Ayrshire.”
Last summer, the North Ayrshire Drama for Wellbeing sessions were attended by over 30 young performers aged between 6 to 18 with many of them bravely stepping out on stage in front of a theatre audience for the first time ever.
The group is all about young people getting together to express themselves through drama, learning new skills, creating stories and having fun. This year the end-of-week performance will have a focus on accessibility and will include Makaton input.
Look out via the Youth Services, HAC and Virtual Community Centre social media pages for updates, photos and more info on what is happening this summer near you.
Other free youth work programmes this summer include a cyber roadshow delivered via North Ayrshire Libraries and the Outdoors for Wellbeing camp concluding this week at Eglinton Country Park.