Young people in Medway have been brought together for a graffiti workshop, developed by young carers.
Carers First, young carers, and young people from the local Medway community, all came together to get creative and renovate the youth shelter at Hillyfields Community Park in Gillingham, during a series of Graffiti Jam Workshops between Monday 25 - Wednesday 27 July.
The series of workshops, which were inspired by ideas shared by young carers who attended Carers First's Young Carers Action Day event in March, earlier this year, involved spray graffiti art and hip-hop sessions. A total of 18 young people from the local area took part, including 6 young carers, aged between 12 to 18, with many of the young people attending saying they would like to do it again.
Nikki Brooker, Young Carers Team Lead for Medway and Project Lead, said:
“Young carers shared that they wanted to do something creative in co-production with Carers First that made a difference to their local community, whilst also using their creative talents to express themselves in a unique way.”
"Carers First want to support our young carers passion about making a difference and encourage their enthusiasm about expressing themselves through art, and so the Graffiti Jam idea was born.”
Hillyfields Community Park and youth shelter needed improvement and wasn’t a very inviting place for teenagers and young people. With there being limited spaces in Gillingham for young people, it was an ideal location to bring people together and do something positive to recreate a friendly, vibrant space for young people which is fun, but most of all, a welcoming space for young people to go to.
The project was initiated after Carers First contacted Pat Cooper, Medway Council member for Gillingham North ward and Chair of Friends of Hillyfields, to discuss opportunities for young carers in Medway to make a creative difference. Pat was supportive of the young carers’ idea and was keen to get involved.
Pat identified the park and youth shelter as somewhere young people could express themselves through social graffiti and display their talent to the local community whilst also making the park and youth shelter less intimidating to the public.
The workshops were also made possible because of Karen Francis, Partnership Officer for Green Spaces and Piers from Medway Council, who was significant in the success of the project; allowing Carers First to have use of the park.
Graffiti artists Catneil and Memz (art name, Auton), from Marg8 Graff, also showed their support by leading the graffiti art workshops
and providing a generous discount on graffiti paints. Local grime artist, rapper, and activist for social change, Logic, also supported the event by providing hip hop workshops for Medway’s young and inspiring rappers.
Speaking about the project, Alison Taylor, Chief Executive of Carers First said;
"It has been wonderful to view the work of the young carers and other young people in Medway. This project has brought a community together, with an idea that started with some passionate young carers.
"Carers First is dedicated to supporting young carers and encourages them to express their feelings creatively. We believe that providing workshop opportunities like these enables young carers to do just that. These workshops also show what collaborative working, and communities can achieve when they come together."
Deputy Mayor for Medway, Councillor Roger Barrett, also attended to cut the ribbon and re-open the revamped youth shelter, making a speech on how the workshops will benefit the local community.
The young carers involved in the project also commented on how they found the three days they had spent in the park attending the workshops. One young carer said:
“There was an incredible, artistic atmosphere with someone always around to help give tips with our art, to help us to acheive the effects we were looking for. I felt appreciated and that I was in the perfect place to express my love for graffiti. Everyone did a great job, and the staff were supportive.”
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