In her blog, our Youth Development Manager Bryony Farrant-Davis looks back at Make Waves, our programme to create new Young Producers in Medway.
Our Make Waves programme has been running since November 2021, and over the last 10 months we’ve been proud and privileged to work with a group of local young creatives to kick start their creative careers.
The programme for 18–25-year-olds living, studying, or working in Medway is designed to support the next generation of producers, event makers and creators. The group take part in a range of informative and inspirational experiences (including skills-based workshops, trips & go-sees, mentoring, and a paid work placement with a local creative company) to open doors into the industry, help shape their personal career goals and give them the skills to achieve them.
A key part of the programme is the personal project. Each member of the group was awarded a £1000 to plan, produce & deliver a project or event which showcased their personal creative passion and producing know how.
Over the summer of 2022, the cohort organised and ran a diverse range of activities for local people to enjoy,
including:
- Special Effects make-up at Rapture Festival at Historic Dockyard, Chatham
- ‘A Taste of Culture Festival’ showcasing music, food and fashion from across the world at Hempstead Library, Gillingham
- ‘The Art of Relief’ seminar exploring the relationship between Stress and Creativity at Glassbox Theatre, Gillingham
- A Sports Games event at Broomhill Park, Strood
- ‘Uttered Lingo’ Spoken Word & Activism workshop at the Sunlight Centre, Gillingham
- ‘Echo Painting’ Art & Music improvisation workshop at The Mess Room, Chatham
- ‘The Hidden History of Medway’ film screening at the Medway Archives, Strood
- Songwriting workshops with local young people at the Woodlands Youth Centre, Gillingham
- A public mural at Rainham Library, Gillingham
The group engaged people of all ages and backgrounds from across the community with amazing results. Take a look at the below infographic to see just how much they achieved:
Make Waves was funded and supported by Creative Estuary, Medway Council, Kent County Council and Theatre 31 & Icon Theatre.
