THE ACTIVITIES

YARN ANIMALS

Inspired by the natural materials and bright colours which feature in a lot of art practices in Africa, the young carers had a go as bringing animals to life using coloured yarn. Using stencils of the young carers’ favourite safari animals they were able to create 3D structures which formed the base of their animals. The next part was the most fun, as they wrapped their animal bases in lots of colourful yarn. The young carers went wild with their creative skills and imagination and even made some animal hybrids, turning zebras into unicorns and adding wings to elephants. The process of wrapping the yarn around the animals became quite therapeutic to the young carers and the younger ones also loved playing with them after they were created.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Over the summer we were finally be able to run photography workshops in person, following their growing popularity since we began online sessions in lockdown. Young carers were split into groups where we ran a few different activities based around the theme of Macro photography. The first photography station had 2 portable studio light boxes, tripods and different coloured backdrops for young carers to photograph some flowers in a vase or fruits in sparkling water. The fruits were very popular as they created an exciting bubble effect when they splashed into the water. The other activity was themed around vantage point using Lego figures and toys. The aim of the task was to make the figures seem bigger than their surroundings by using different angles and lighting. The workshop was thoroughly enjoyed, and the young carers got to use the cameras in a new and exciting way.

WORKSHOPS

CLAY PRINT MAKING

The young carers loved experimenting with print making, taking inspiration from the art and culture of Asia, and using natural materials and botanical patterns. The young carers used clay to create shapes inspired by different types of decorative pottery and traditional sculptures such as the Terracotta Warriors. The young carers also got experimental using different flowers and leaves to press into the clay sculptures and tiles to see what printed patterns they left behind. The patterns created by the printed flowers and leaves were beautiful and so intricate, the young carers gained confidence throughout the workshop to experiment with other materials and foraged natural forms to see what patterns they made. The young carers also took inspiration from their favourite tv shows and books, creating sculptures and 3D images. The process of working with the clay was just as impactful as the final outcomes for the young carers, as they enjoyed playing with the texture or the clay and found it relaxing.

MULTIMEDIA PICTURES

During Asia week we got crafty using a range of different art mediums and materials to create 3D photo frames. Laid out on the table were lots of images of Asia, different coloured card and paper, tissue paper, colouring pens and pencils, craft scissors and accessories. The young carers each gathered some materials consisting of their favourite colours and their images. We all then decorated an A4 piece of card using the gathered materials, and some even wrote messages in different Asian languages! Many young carers used positive affirmations on their frames like ‘be kind’, ‘you can do anything you set your mind to’ etc. After we had made our base of the frame, we used acrylic pens to decorate the plastic by outlining shapes and words and drawing new things. The young carers were all so excited to take their frame home and share their creations.

SEA SCULPTURES

In Australasia week the young carers had the challenge of capturing the ocean using a number of creative techniques. The first part of the workshop was the most challenging as the young carers created origami whales. This took a lot of patience and a few attempts, but the outcome was really impressive to the young carers. They loved learning to create a 3D model out of one piece of paper and a sequence of folds and were so excited to go home and show their friends and families. The second part of the workshop took inspiration from the colour and movement of the ocean. Using watercolour, the young carers created beautiful colour blended patterns which they used in an experiment using salt to see how it created texture and unique shapes in the paint. The young carers then used this painting technique using salt to paint their origami whales. The final part of the workshop tied all the other elements together. Using sea glass, the young carers learnt how to tie the pieces of sea glass together to create a hanging decoration. Some young carers picked sea glass that matched the colours used in their whales and created a beautiful hanging sculpture by attaching the origami whale at the end.

MACRAME

Following the South American theme and the pot painting workshop that young carers loved, we ran a Macrame workshop where they made plant hangers! This workshop was relaxed as everybody sat around the table chatting away and following the step-by-step guide to creating their macrame art using cotton rope. The intricate designs were soon mastered, and the young carers were very excited to take them home and hang them with their plant pots inside.

PLANT POT PAINTING

The young carers looked into all the beautiful bright colours and bold patterns used in South American art and festivals and painted their own unique colourful artworks on terracotta pots. The young carers loved having plenty of time to paint their plant pots whilst also socialising with their friends. With South America being home to the incredible Amazon rainforest, the young carers also learnt about the important role that wildlife and plants play in our world. They each planted a little sunflower in their pots which they were able to take home and watch grow, whilst learning about the responsibility of helping plants grow and the pride they will be able to feel when it blooms into a beautiful flower after all their hard work!

STOP MOTION ANIMATION

Many of the young carers had expressed interest in stop motion animations and films when using the cameras. So, in Australia week, we experimented with making our own! Young carers were split into groups where they were given a storyboard to create their plan. Once the wacky stories were ready for the next step, the young carers collected materials to build a set for their stop motion. We had Lego, toy figures, play dough, recycled materials and other crafts which soon became racetracks, houses, stages, oceans and more! Each group excitedly set up the tripod, camera and their equipment and got going with taking a series of images which soon became a short film.

ONLINE ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY PACKS

To fit in with our virtual ‘Trip Around the World’ theme, young carers were sent weekly digital activity packs in the shape of passports to six continents - Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, South America and North America. Each passport contained interesting facts about the continents, craft activities, reading activities and videos, physical activities and games as well as colouring pages and puzzles. By sending out digital packs to all our young carers we are also able to support those who are unable to attend face to face sessions.

FAMILY COOKING

TRIVIA NIGHTS

Our online family cooking sessions continue to be popular with young carers, and for our ‘trip around the world’, all of the healthy recipes were themed around the different continents. Young carers were able to learn new culinary skills as Sarah led the group with step-by-step instructions and encouraged the young carers to try new ingredients. Recipes included Beef Stroganoff, Cape Malay Veggie Curry, Chicken and Mushroom Ramen, Australian Hot Pot and Beef and Chorizo Empanadas.

Trivia nights were back by popular demand throughout the Summer every Thursday which the young carers and their families could join on Zoom. We had Summer themed Bingo where everyone was invited to get their sunhats and sunglasses on and dance around to some tropical island tunes. With the winner of the first line and ’bingo’ getting Amazon vouchers as prizes there were lots of happy smiles from young carers and family members. We also had Family Quiz nights which featured questions on the theme of the different continents we were traveling to that week, with the winners of 1st, 2nd and 3rd all getting Amazon vouchers as prizes too. The young carers and their families love the fun interactive aspects of the Quiz which allows them to let their competitive side blossom as they race to get to the top of the leader board. For the final trivia night, we also took inspiration from the different continents with a range of fun Gameshow rounds. The first rounds challenged the young carers and their families on their knowledge of European languages. Asking them to name a number of ways to say ‘Hello’ in different European languages, with the quickest to answer winning a prize. Round 2 was inspired by Australasia and the Coral Reef where young carers and their families had to be the quickest to complete the sink or swim challenge by being the quickest to find an object that sinks and object that swims. Round Three was inspired by the different logos of companies across the world where young carers and their families would battle it out on Kahoot to get the highest on the leader board by guessing the correct logo. The Gameshow finale is probably the favourite round with the young carers and their families which is the Speed Fancy Dress round! This time the young carers and their families had 5 minutes to dress up like the Statue of Liberty, with the criteria having to have something to resemble a draped dress, a crown, and a lamp. The young carers and their families had such a fun time getting creative and competitive within the time limit.