There’s a lot of talk about getting young people involved in exercise and activities. But many miss the importance of arts projects to young people. There’s a lot more to it than just getting young people off the streets or ‘Fortnite’.
Our intern Fraser tells it how it is...
There’s a lot of talk about getting young people involved in exercise and activities. But many miss the importance of arts projects to young people. There’s a lot more to it than just getting young people off the streets or ‘Fortnite’. Research suggests that getting young people involved with youth projects is important in their personal development resulting in a brighter, more successful future.
It seems that programmes for young people are the first to be scrapped with the government's cuts, becoming less and less common, especially in rural areas. I think it’s a big loss for young people. It’s now more important than ever to support young people.
So… why do I think youth projects are important for young people?
Finding Their Passion
Many young people become very confused in school as they feel they ‘just can’t do it’ so they mark themselves as less able than the rest of their classmates. Young people with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc. can struggle academically, but can find a passion in a youth project, allowing them to experience more freedom in the future. Youth projects can help young people
2. Helping Young People Collaborate
Youth projects allow them to build their skills in a positive collaborative environment. These skills won’t be lost as they get older, they’ll continue to build on these skills, allowing them to become assets in any team as they go through life.
3. Help to Inspire
Many young people engaging with youth projects can go through moments of inspiration and self realisation. These feelings will help them aim higher as they go through life and improve on their motivation. These key skills are something you can’t teach; it’s an experiential learning process.
4. Giving Young People A Chance
Many young people coming from low income families or rural areas can struggle to find opportunities. By offering these projects to young people, they can participate in activities they may never be able to experience, sometimes enabling them to find a passion or realise a specific skill that they have.
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5. Empower Young People
By giving the young people a voice, it allows them to build on their self-confidence as well as leadership skills. It empowers young people and gives them a feeling that they are being heard, whatever their age or abilities.
6. Build on Key Skills
By putting young people in a friendly collaborative atmosphere with others of similar age, they learn to build on their communication skills, their problem solving skills, creative thinking skills and so much more. The young people can then implement these skills when they’re in school, college, university or any job.
7. An overall better childhood
Many young people live their childhood stuck on video games - or hanging round on street corners - due to the lack of opportunities in their areas. This is when young people can get involved in the wrong activities going down the wrong routes in life. By giving young people a kickstart, it allows them to carry on building on them, opening up a brighter and stronger future.
Still not convinced on how important youth projects are for young people? Watch Tara’s story below to see how RawFfest has helped her.
Want to help our Youth Arts Festival? We're CROWDFUNDING!
Our Crowdfunding campaign closes on 13/03/19. Pledge now and gain some amazing rewards!