Hammersmith and Fulham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Families celebrated Hammersmith & Fulham’s young carers at a summer showcase featuring film, music and dance performances.
With an exciting finale exhibiting their final efforts, local young carers celebrated the conclusion of their summer program.
The day’s topic was “heroes,” and it was performed in front of parents, caregivers, and their friends. Honoring common heroes served as the inspiration for each performance.
Isaiah, who joined the Young Carers Club this summer and resides in Hammersmith and Fulham, described the day as follows:
“I performed some different dances that I learnt over four days, and we were practising this morning before we performed. It was really nice and fun to get to dance and show off my interest in dancing to my family. If you’re a young carer and you like dancing or singing and having fun, you should join.”
The presentation featured a three-person drum performance with audience participation, two short films, and dance performances. Aga Serugo-Lugo, a musician with a narrative style, opened each show, which was the culmination of the children’s and youths’ diligent efforts.
The kids acted out, planned the plots, and filmed every shot for both movies, learning about storyboarding and camera angles in the process.
The all-day event, which took place at Latymer Upper School on King Street, was a collaboration between the charity Create and Hammersmith & Fulham Young caregivers Service, offering the young caregivers experiences in creative arts workshops.
Cllr Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader of H&F, said:
“It’s incredibly important that every child and young person has the time and space to hang out with friends, try new things and enjoy time free of any responsibilities. These workshops provide these opportunities, all while helping our young carers develop their creativity skills and confidence. It’s part of our work to build a stronger, safer and kinder borough.”
Young caretakers frequently find it difficult to juggle their obligations with self-care, social activities, and schooling.
Nearly one in five young carers (17%) rarely or never get a break, and only 15% are able to take a break whenever they want, according to a recent Carers Trust survey. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of young carers reported that they did not have enough time for themselves, and 72% of them miss school holidays because of their caregiving obligations.
How did the summer programme support participants’ creative skills?
The program accommodated a number of video film, music and dance workshops, which allowed participants to practice the arts and learn new skills in self-expression. Using professional tutors and facilitators, young carers were able to elaborate their ideas and projects, working their way from sketches and drafts to rehearsals/ recording.
Working on video/film, music, and dance was made easier as participants had access to many items of creative equipment and resources, e.g., computers, music instruments, filming equipment and dance studios, and other enhanced learning opportunities.
All participants engaged in collaboration and teamwork, for example, creating films and performances together. The program encouraged young carers to work together and attend rehearsals as a group. Their collaborations enhanced differing aspects of their participation in the performance (their communication skills and confidence) and engagement in the group dynamic.