Foróige’s Post

⭐ SPOTLIGHT ⭐ Our Action Research project, Culture Sounds—A Space to Be(long), is now in progress! It will explore the impact of arts activities on children and young people in the care system. As a continuation of our work with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) in Derbyshire, we are working with Leicestershire Virtual School and Sinfonia Viva to deepen our understanding of the sector and the experiences of care-experienced young people. Our project is part of a Midlands-focused research initiative led by #ArtsConnect, #TheMightyCreatives, and the University of Wolverhampton. #CultureSounds #YoungPeople

📣 NEW PUBLICATION ⚡ CULTURAL MOBILITY FLOWS: MENTAL HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND CULTURAL MOBILITY ⚡ Read on the website now 🔗 https://buff.ly/3Ug4BQF What can you find inside? 🔎 A closer look at funded international mobility opportunities for artists and cultural professionals since 2020. 🧠 An exploration of the mental health stressors associated with cross-border mobility, including the pressure of balancing professional and personal life. 📚 Evidence from recent literature on how international mobility impacts the mental health of artists, especially those in vulnerable situations. 📍 Practical recommendations for stakeholders across the arts, as well as local and national authorities, and EU institutions to support the well-being of the creative workforce. Thanks to the excellent contributions of co-authors Claire Wilson, Milica Ilic, Yohann Floch (also editor), and Sophie Dowden.

🌈✨ Elevate Your Understanding and Support with Do Something: Identity(ies) Conference 2024 Recordings! 🎥📚 Don't miss out on this opportunity to empower yourself with knowledge that can transform lives. Dive into the wealth of transformative insights from the 2nd Do Something: Identity(ies) Conference, now available in recorded format! Whether you missed the live event or want to revisit the invaluable sessions, this is your opportunity to immerse yourself in a virtual experience that celebrates and educates on LGBTQPIA2S+ identities. Email DiversityAndIdentities@gmail.com to secure your access today! 🔹 Why Will I Learn? Expert Insights: Immerse yourself in information and wisdom exclusively from individuals who live and breathe these experiences. Broadened Perspectives: Gain new understanding, empathy, and depth by learning from diverse voices and perspectives within the community. Continuing Education: Earn up to 20 CEs* to enhance your professional development and affirming care practices. 🔸 What others have said! "I learned more from this conference than I did from most of my classes. It's so important to hear from others who share these identities." - Shiloh Finch, MA, Psychotherapist "The Do Something conference was a game-changer for me. It took me from being informed to embracing an affirming lens and practice." - Cara Erskine, LLMSW.

I once read a quote that said “be the type of person you wish you had at the start of your journey”. This statement has inspired me to share more of the work that we do outside of the security industry. Throughout the year my business partner Jacqui McCalla and I run various projects through our community interest company Amity Youth Development. AYD is an acronym for Achieve Your Dreams and since Covid we have run several projects geared towards helping young people from difficult backgrounds achieve more positive outcomes in life. Having personally grown up on one of the most dangerous councils estates in south London. I have first hand experience of the struggles one can face when trying to make it out of such an environment. We run these projects to give young people a glimpse of what their future could like and to show them that their dreams are possible. Every day I wake up to news reports of young lives being lost to senseless violence. Although I don’t have all of the answers. I am still determined to be apart of the solution. In 2025 we will be launching a variety of new projects in order to help as many young people as we can. This is a short trailer of a music project we launched last year in partnership with Croydon council and SPURGEON'S COLLEGE We held a writers camp and took a cohort of young people to one of the top music studios in the UK to record their music and hosted a panel of Music industry professionals from one of the top record labels in the Uk. In life it’s not about where you start but where you finish. Stay tuned 🙏🏾

In collaboration with Bradford 2025, Historic England has announced new funding for four creative youth-led projects to take place next year as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme! The History in the Making programme aims to improve young people’s wellbeing, from increasing connection to and pride in their local place, to gaining skills and social confidence. Twenty-one grants of up to £15k, a total of £261k in funding, will fund projects across the country, starting in January 2025. Check it out 👇

2 days in Aberystwyth for creucymru.com conference. It is always a great reminder of the passion that underscores the performing arts sector in Wales It's been a difficult year, in fact a difficult few years. funding for Arts in Wales has dropped by 27% since 2010 and the impact is being felt deeply by artists, organisations and communities. Amongst the empathetic conversations about difficult decisions to cut provision, reductions in operating hours and losing staff it can sometimes be hard to know where to look for hope and possibility. But there is. Wales is in a unique position to lead. We already do. From Cultural wellbeing as a core pillar of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act to www.hynt.co.uk leading the way for Accessibility across the UK. The evidence relating to the benefits of investment in arts and culture for a healthier, happier more prosperous nation is undenianle. As is the contribution made by the people I have been sitting with for the last 48 hours make on a daily basis. We can't run on passion alone.

Just a heads up that this program is open to arts & cultural organizations & collectives that BCAC defines as equity-deserving OR "regional" (i.e. located in areas outside of greater Vancouver or the capital region). Don't miss out on the BC Arts Council's Accelerate Program: "a two-year initiative to improve access and reduce barriers to funding for equity deserving and regional arts and culture organizations and collectives. Funding is intended to offer stability while being flexible in supporting a range of expenses including, but not limited to: general operating costs, organizational development, capacity building, project expenses, and/or community engagement initiatives."  https://lnkd.in/gyseMmhz

There are some great impact stories on here showing that when people work together for children, impact can be multiplied.

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, Robert E. Rubin, former Secretary of the Treasury and LISC’s current and longtime board chair, encouraged readers to take action and create the change they want to see in the world. At LISC, we couldn’t agree more.     The challenges we face as a nation can feel overwhelming — inequities in housing, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, and much more, are a persistent reality for far too many. But as Bob pointed out in the piece, it’s precisely in these moments that civic engagement becomes not just important, but critical.     When we step beyond our personal lives to invest in our neighborhoods and address systemic inequities, we create something powerful: a stronger, more connected community where opportunity isn’t defined by zip code.     Together, we can create a brighter, more equitable future. Let’s roll up our sleeves and continue the work in 2025. https://lnkd.in/e4Jet4jw

Los Angeles County’s Arts for Justice-Involved Youth program is helping transform lives by using the arts as a tool for healing and rehabilitation. This initiative, part of the landmark Creative Recovery LA program, offers justice-involved youth opportunities to express themselves, heal from trauma, and develop skills for brighter futures. From trauma-informed workshops in music and visual arts to creative writing programs, these efforts give young people a chance to reconnect with their communities and imagine new possibilities for their lives. Truly transformational work takes place with these creative modalities. Arts have the power to heal, connect, and inspire. But programs like these need our support to grow and reach more youth. Here’s how you can help: • Spread the Word: Share this post to help raise awareness about the importance of art-based healing programs. • Advocate for the Arts: Support funding for arts initiatives in schools and communities by reaching out to local representatives. • Learn More: Explore the transformative impact of Creative Recovery LA and how it supports vulnerable youth here: https://lnkd.in/g7DhrfaQ Together, we can champion the power of the arts to create lasting change. Let’s start today by sharing this message and supporting the future of these programs. #CreativeRecoveryLA #ArtsForYouth #HealingThroughArt #CommunityAction