THE ART OF CONVERSATION

J O URNEY IN W O RDS & S O NG M AY 2013

THE ART OF CONVERSATION

A JOURNEY IN WORDS & SONG

Imagine Create Express (ICE) provide programmes for young people at varying levels of achievement potential and actively encourage educational progression. ICE embodies the marriage between positive thought and attitudes, and professional mentorship. Its principal focus is inspiring young people to find their true potential. VISION Our vision is that every young person that attends our workshops and programmes will attain a high level of confidence, excellence and achievement. We seek to empower young people to realise their potential and subsequently manage their own destiny. MISSION To facilitate workshops that impact on the young persons mindset with an emphasis on fun learning and interaction, whilst engaging them and giving them transferable skills through role play, discussion, performing arts and media classes combined with literacy, financial capability and life skills. SOCIAL IMPACT Our change agent approach will assist young people to become socially aware and therefore positive contributors to their community and society at large. They in turn will become the change agents of the future.

THE ART OF CONVERSATION

A JOURNEY IN WORDS & SONG

INTRODUCTION The aim of this project is to breakdown the stereotypical divisions and feuds between young people within the Borough of Lewisham, as young people begin to cross borders and learn to embrace differences in gender, culture, race and postcodes. The project has been designed to help young people aged 11-21 (25 with disabilities) become more assertive and aware of their individual and collective abilities, which will become transferable into their personal lives, as they gain confidence and a greater understanding of others. The project aims to empower these young people to become independent thinkers who are aware of their roles and responsibilities to each other and the importance of building sustainable community ethics and peer mentoring, as they prepare their performances. Targeting four Lewisham Borough locations, the project will commence in the autumn of 2013 and will be delivered in 4, 5-week blocks. At the end of each block the young people will present their final performances, in one of the four locations and share with audiences their experiences in open discussion forums. Through the use of the creative arts and mentoring, the young people selected will be taken on a journey of self discovery through artistic creativity allowing them an opportunity to express themselves and explore their potential, in the areas of performance, music production, behind the scenes technical know-how, media, photography, filming, marketing, art and design, public speaking and peer mentoring, as the young people work together to deliver the final showcases and workshops. By delivering the outcomes in this way, the young people will have the opportunity to learn from and build upon key aspects needed to enhance the next production. The project is committed to developing young people who are thoughtful, conscientious young individuals, capable of making good choices and decisions that benefit them and their community. Working with these young people the mentors and tutors enlisted will actively help them to become aware of the benefits of furthering their skills and education as they become confident and valued contributors to the project. The workshop units will be: 1. The Art of Conversation (How people communicate and conversation through rap, poetry and other creative resources} 2. He Said, She Said (Challenging perceptions and stereotypes) 3. We Are All the Same, But Different Conversations for Change) (In partnership with the Tutu Foundation UK,

4. Expression (Each one teach one - body percussion in partnership with Express Yourself UK) 5. Showcase and Art of Conversation Workshops and Discussions The project will identify potential young volunteers who are already gifted in the key creative arts areas. Those selected will be given the opportunity to enhance their CVs and volunteering skills and gain an Institute of Training & Occupational Learning Qualification (ITOL), with potential to become volunteers on other projects with partner organisations. Young volunteers will begin to understand their strengths and develop areas of their potential, including personal development and soft skills necessary for personal growth and to become work ready. CORE DELIVERY TEAM All core team members on the project, will be skilled, not only in their particular field, but will be able to mentor and nurture the talents and potential of all young people who attend the programme. The project will also be seeking to have the work that young people are involved in accredited by the Arts Award body to enhance their learning and sense of achievement.

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THE ART OF CONVERSATION

A JOURNEY IN WORDS & SONG

WHY THIS PROJECT IS NEEDED Face-to-Face conversation and communication is being lost as social media and other forms of non-personal communication are promoted. There is no substitute for face-to-face conversation where interpretation of what is being said is less likely to be mis-read or misinterpreted, a very common cause of negative interactions with young people, as they say things about one another on social media sites without knowing the person and often sparking irreversible consequences. By engaging young people from different social backgrounds and even postcodes it will allow them to develop and hold new beliefs, make decisions about another person based upon their own personal interactions and experience and potentially nurture new relationships. Developing effective conversations and interactions has the potential to have lasting and positive impact on participants. Dealing with conflict and resolving issues starts with conversation. This project will help young people to engage in actual physical conversation in creative environments, where they will understand that there are highly valuable lessons to learn from each other. Each one of them has the potential to teach another, which will give the Team opportunities to work on transforming their thinking and personal interactions with one another. OUTCOMES The key outcomes and benefits that this project will be seeking to achieve will be: Young people using conversation to resolve issues and develop their personal interactions Development of highly motivated individuals Opportunities for young people to engage in and enhance performance in all creative areas New skills Confidence Self Esteem Social Awareness Commitment to, and empathy for one another Learning to voice opinions in more positive ways Social Wellbeing Personal values and valuing others in Community Peer Mentoring Partnering with other young people from other areas of the Borough Young people will capture and document their individual and collective achievements throughout the life of the project so that they have an opportunity to reflect on their journeys. Delivery of performances, workshops and discussion forums will contribute to their social awareness and empathy for one another as they openly discuss topics that are relevant to them. Creating these opportunities for performance and open discussion forums within their communities will also allow young people to engage with older members of their community and openly discuss opinions and dispel fears and myths from both ends of the age spectrum.

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IMAGINE CREATE EXPRESS

PROGRAMMES AND WORKSHOPS

SOME OF OUR PROJECTS

WORKSHOP

Rap

Call 07436 031 174

niki@imaginecreateexpress.co.uk anthony.powell@croydon.gov.uk www.imaginecreateexpress.com

EIGHT-WEEK CREATIVE PROJECT FOR 11-19 YEAR OLDS EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH SONG, POETRY AND RAP

Write it Own it Record it Perform it

Starts: Wednesday 6 February 2013 at Shoestring Theatre Oakley Road South Norwood London SE25 4XG From: 5.30pm to 7.30pm

The Feminine Arts

9th January 2013 23 February 2013

Exploring what it means to be a young woman in todays society