NORTHERN STAGE’S YOUNG COMPANY

Image: Sammie Clarke by Von Fox Promotions

WHILE THEIR STAGE HAS BEEN DARK, MEMBERS FROM NORTHERN STAGE’S YOUNG COMPANY HAVE BEEN ENGAGING THE BYKER COMMUNITY WITH MUSIC AND STORYTELLING: MEET ‘THE TEAM’

Northern Stage has a long-term commitment to working in Byker and is part of the Byker Children and Young People’s Partnership (BCYPP), a pioneering initiative of almost 50 organisations working together to raise aspirations, enrich lives and achieve social change.

When the UK went into lockdown, the Northern Stage team quickly adapted to meet the changing needs of residents – working in partnership to help deliver food parcels and activity packs, and regularly speaking to isolated members of the local community. This led to the Doorstep Music project – 48 pop-up music performances over the summer, and Northern Stage Young Company co-creating eight brand new audio experiences for Byker and beyond made with the local community.

The Team is part of Northern Stage’s Young Company – a gathering of young people aged 16–21 with a hunger to learn new things and a desire to make things happen. The Team is a place for young artists, and community activists at the core of Northern Stage Young Company Ensemble to develop their approach to community projects. The Team have invested in the people and place of their community in one of its most challenging years.

This year, in unprecedented times (!) The Team pulled together to help make great things happen in Byker including Doorstep Music and with the Byker Children and Young People’s Partnership (BCYPP) Byker Best Summer Ever, Byker Audio Stories and Get Out and Move About in October half term.

Wambui Hardcastle collaborated on Byker Best Summer Ever in 2019 and 2020 and was key to the support and delivery of Doorstep Music. Wambui wrote and presented her Audio Story about working on Doorstep Music and the importance of Byker to her and her relationship to the city. “When I was growing up my Mam was sad that I didn’t have the community she had growing up in Kenya – where she could play outside with her friends, and know there were aunties on every corner keeping an eye out for you. Coming to Byker has allowed me to see what a true community is. It’s formed from trust, laughter and knowing that there are people who will always be there to catch you if you fall. Seeing everyone engaged in the activities, whether that was cooking outdoors or dancing in the rain or listening to storytellers, served as a reminder as to why we do what we do.”

Founder member of The Team Sammie Clarke has brought experience, intelligence, humour and team spirit: “Before I came here I didn’t see people normally. I didn’t really like humans and wasn’t a socialised person. Now I give people a chance. I don’t judge a book by its cover.”

Brandin McCafferty has supported activities from dance, to planting, to den building: “People have told me how my confidence has grown – like I’ve found my voice. We’ve done so much together and I literally never miss a session.”

Associate Director Louie Ingham says: “Although it’s been the most difficult year to make things happen in, working with The Team and their collective spirit, tenacity, generosity and great humour has been the highlight of 2020. They’ve never missed an opportunity to be present, connect and bring energy and activities to their wider community and I’m enormously honoured to work alongside these people.”

www.northernstage.co.uk/young-company-the-team

Wambui Hardcastle by Von Fox Promotions