The Theatre Tracks project impact has been wide-ranging for not only the young people, but also for those who work to promote and safeguard their welfare for the six years it has been running. The project has benefited each young person in a different way. The impact is rich and can be seen by those who are part of their everyday lives. In particular, outcomes in relation to social, emotional and behavioural indicators are extremely positive for the cared for children that take part in the project.
For many, the project has given them stability, consistency, and a sense of belonging through building relationships with other young people and facilitators of the project. Carers for the young people have spoken highly of the programme as the young people are part of an inclusive environment. This project does not set unrealistic inflexible goals, but instead progresses at the young person’s pace, building on their strengths. Alongside this, there is also an open, curious, non-judgmental and empathetic approach taken by facilitators to support young people who may find it at times hard to take part in the session, which in other settings may be treated as poor engagement. This approach has brought participants out of their shells by building their confidence in an environment where they can be themselves. The facilitators empower them to engage in the sessions so by the end of the programme, the young people are able to take part in the end of project production and achieve an Arts Award qualification.
The young people have had a chance to work and learn from both facilitators and guest facilitators from the local area. This has meant that they get to see people like them using art as a form of self expression, and also that there are a wealth of possibilities that they can pursue. Depending on the level of the Art Award they are undertaking, the young people have had a chance to co-facilitate, lead, try and/ or learn different mediums of creative expression. They are able to see their progress and are supported to achieve their potential.
This approach works, there are thirty young people signed up each year. Of note, twenty of the young people have been meaningfully engaged over the life of the project. This is important to highlight, as some participants were adamant they wouldn’t stay engaged, they were not comfortable being in groups or saw themselves as not having a lot of confidence. But in fact, for many of the young people, they have gone strength to strength the longer they engage in the project.
The project has given young people a chance to see their capability year after year. The Arts Award gives those completing the higher levels a chance to gain qualifications. Many of those that attend are engaging with their learning in way that works for them. This has given those attending a chance to aspire to apply for a place at college, university, the ability to see themselves having a profession as well as having an opportunity to lead their own arts project. For others, being part of the project has given them a chance to give back to the local community through co-delivering arts sessions.
Some young people have seen that they can engage within a group environment and has supported them to engage in other activities in their local area. The young people have also built connections with safe adults including the library staff and professionals from the council and other organisations. As a whole, the cared for children are more engaged in their local communities.
There are a recent group of graduates from the programme who achieved the gold award, an equivalent of an A-level at sixteen-years-old. These young people have asked to come back to the project and help to facilitate the sessions. As a result, the project facilitators have incorporated some training for them into the project so that they will be able to help to lead and co-facilitate sessions and most importantly be seen as role models for those in the younger groups. Next steps for the project, include working with the care leavers council to co-produce an offer for those leaving care.
In addition, an initial aim for the programme was to increase, in particular, library engagement for cared for children in Tameside. This has been achieved. The young people who have engaged with the programme have built a connection with the library service. They know the librarians, they come and do their homework outside of the sessions, take out books and know that it is a safe place in which they are welcome.
Other positive outcomes have been communicated by the cared for children’s team, police, and other partner organisations. For example, those that are engaged with the project are less likely to become involved in criminal child exploitation, going missing and engaging in risky behaviours.