Artists

I found co-leading in this project to be an extremely valuable learning experience for myself. It has been something I have only recently got involved in doing and have gained a lot of knowledge and confidence during the project.

– Amy Moody

This project gave the opportunity and space to inspire the imagination of the children of Newport, a city that is often undervalued as it has special people as part of its fabric.

 Casi Wyn

I think a positive outcome was for pupils to meet the Bardd Plant Cymru and a professional animator, maybe some of them have never met someone who works in the arts and it could seem like a possibility for them in the future.

Efa Blosse-Mason

This was a powerful and “beautiful” project to be part of and is something that should be available in every high school  - a safe creative space to come and explore ideas and feelings with experienced practitioners and well being support. It is always so nice when two practitioners can bounce of each other and share the input and gathering as this allows a great opportunity for reflective practice.

Bill Taylor-Beales

As practitioners, it has been a positive way of working as we have pushed the remit of what we offer, drawing on our music/craft interests. The staff at Community House have been very supportive; they were involved in all the activities and have encouraged the young people throughout. Artists and Newport Mind staff felt they learned a great deal from each other all appreciated each other’s qualities and skills. Activities led by Newport Mind allowed space to consider our own wellbeing. Working with Newport Mind has made both of us more committed to delivering wellbeing projects. Newport Mind staff have also said how much they have learnt from co-delivering.

Serena Lewis & Sarah Bawler

I really enjoyed the ability to co facilitate on this project. Collaboration is the key to my practice as an artist and Uschi was such a wonderful person to work alongside. It felt like the perfect mixture, and actually the way that we both approached facilitating with the group was very similar, so our delivery styles really complimented each other. I’d certainly want to do that again.

Georgina Harris

Teachers

I have been blown away by the quality of the outcomes and whilst sadly I was unable to come across myself to witness some of them live, I feel very lucky to have access to what will be recordings they will treasure for a long time. Having liaised with Emma and spoken to some of the young people involved, I can’t really put into words just how much impact this has had on them; thank you so much for enabling such a positive experience to happen within our school community.

– Headteacher, Bassaleg High School

Honestly, I wouldn’t have you change a thing – it was an amazing 7 sessions and even as a teacher, I learnt SO much. It was a perfect blend of mental health support mixed with the creativity of poetry and illustration. Before the sessions, I would never have thought I could write a poem I was happy with but using the prompts linked to mental health was incredibly useful.

-Teacher, Llanwern High School

Casi managed to communicate with the learners in a sensitive way, full of humor and therefore as a result, many learners contributed who do not normally contribute in any social events. The learners enjoyed having the experience of making artwork with Efa. The learners were delighted to see their pictures and ideas part of the finished film.

-Teacher, Ysgol Gwent is Coed

Participants

I enjoyed playing the games and meeting everyone and talking about my problems and finding solutions for them.

I really enjoyed the project. It has been really therapeutic. It’s helped me come to terms with a lot of things and to process a lots of things that have happened.

Throughout the process I’ve been writing more about how I’ve felt, at home. I’ve been using it as a coping mechanism.

I’ve learnt that if things become too much, you can use creative things to help yourself through it.

I’ve enjoyed coming into a room where I can just express myself and just talk to people. It’s been great to be more open about things.