Youth Action Recovery Funding (360G-CR-4908678)

COVID19 -YouthAction?s Rainbow Factory based in the centre Belfast is a highly regarded school of performing arts and ?a beacon of light? for young people. It is unique as all its activities are underpinned by the very best youth work principles: -- It enables young people of all abilities and primarily from areas of social deprivation to improve their lives in a positive, vibrant way, through access to a dynamic range of high quality youth arts opportunities.- Especially working with those young people who are ?hard to reach?, marginalised, vulnerable, experiencing social/economic disadvantage, at risk of social exclusion or who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to explore their creativity or attend the arts. Many have little or no academic achievement or are underachievers at school. - In particular, we engage with young people who live with challenging conditions such as; depression, autism, Asperger?s syndrome, diabetes, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health issues including social anxiety, self-harm and suicidal tendencies. - 70% of participants on current programmes reside in the top 25% of disadvantaged wards in N.I. 36% with a physical/mental impairment; 11% from ethnic minorities and 15% LGBT community.?It is a safe space to me, full of wonderful trusting people. It has brought me out of my shell and made me feel genuinely excited about life, for the first time ever. Here I have learnt how to battle my demons, look after myself in difficult times and how to be more confident in myself and my abilities. I believe that this group has saved my life. Thank you!??It was Rainbow Factory who helped me through a dark time and helped make me the young woman I am today.? During this time of unprecedented social isolation and anxiety, it is essential we quickly and professionally changed the methods we use so we can continue to support and engage the young people we work with. We did this by developing a new, free interactive performing arts site ?Virtual Rainbow Factory?: -- The site enables young people to participate in a diverse range of performing arts training and activities (we have completed 648 live Zoom ½ hr session) where young people can learn new creative skills and ignite old and new friendships.- We are offer new activities including: the ?UNLUGGED? area ? a platform where young people can ?perform? in whatever genre they like (poetry, music, art, voicing opinions, moviemaking etc.) to a wide and new audience. - Another area ?Spotlight on Your Mind? has a range of activities to help develop a positive emotion wellbeing including - a fun, safe live chat space where young people can be fully immersed in a daily flow activity. It will give them a much needed break from any negative energy and emotions as they focus on only this. - Young people are involved in the many fun and developmental elements of the site. Feedback from some of the young participants: - ?For me this is a life line. I?ve missed my Rainbow family more than anything!? ?I have days when I can?t leave my bed but if I make it to the online sessions I know that?s a small win and the day could get better.??I would be a lot sadder without this, here I can talk to people - I don?t talk to anyone else all week.? ?You've found new creative ways to keep us entertained and having a laugh - it?s the only time I use my brain!!?It make me less lonely and gives me something to do.??Not every place offers opportunities - when you?re having a bad day, you learn from it and make really good friends.?Since the Covid 19 crisis, we have been experiencing an increased demand to provide support to new young people. With support from Comic Relief we can develop and expand our Virtual Rainbow Factory to meet the critical needs of vulnerable young people right across Northern Ireland by: -- Engaging and supporting new young people who live in rural and urban areas.- Using our existing networks and membership groups across Northern Ireland to engage those most vulnerable, disadvantaged, marginalised young people and at risk of social exclusion, to reach out to those young people who for example: have low confidence/self-esteem; are mothers/carers; homeless; identify as other than heterosexual; offenders/at risk of offending; live with drug/ alcohol issues; have mental health issues or isolated from services.- Utilise our Spectrum model of work promoting inter-cultural dialogue to engage young people from ethnic minority backgrounds.- Expand our Connections programme which is delivered to young people with disabilities to those living in urban and rural areas. - Utilise 3 BME tutors and our partnerships with BME groups (such as, North West Islamic Association; Migrant Centre NI; Chinese Mandarin Speaker Association; Polish Language, Culture and Affairs) to ensure that young people from these communities participate.?Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Staying positive and having fun through the magical medium of the arts, is more important now than ever. Sometimes it?s good to remember that? no matter the storm just look for the Rainbow and it will always be there for you.? Maire Campbell, Artistic Director, YouthAction NI?s Rainbow Factory School of Performing Arts.