The ArtRoom Project
An Overview
The ArtRoom project provided 18 months of creative arts sessions to support around 80 young carers in mid and South Devon, held in four secondary schools: Okehampton College, South Dartmoor College, Coombeshead Academy, and Teign School. This partnership project with Westbank, aimed to explore whether regular participation in the arts could positively impact these young carers and assist them to develop new skills, build relationships, and support their mental health, focusing on boosting their confidence and resilience.
With initial funding from Arts Council England and The Northbrook Foundation, followed by additional support from the 7 Stars Foundation and Okehampton County Council. Three Daisi artists—Peter Margerum, Anna Bolland, and Kerry Seymour—were selected to lead a series of creative workshops for young carers. Each artist was allocated a school and funded to run 10 workshops, engaging groups of up to 20 young carers aged 11 to 16.
The artists co-designed the sessions with the young carers, emphasizing creative exploration over fixed outcomes. There were no assessments or pressure to complete or exhibit work. Participation was voluntary, with a focus on providing a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment to foster creativity, connection, and personal growth.
“Here I can be free and show what I can do unlike art class at school. Here I like to show what I can do. I like the small Young Carer group because we get quiet time and time to think. I never knew my friends like Robin and Josh could do amazing art and I never knew I could too!”
“Young Carers gives me the opportunity to do things I would not normally do – I like the art project I am involved with, I didn’t really like art but having the choice of art options to do in the class and the creativity is really good.”
“The luxury of time to collaborate with young people to let them lead the way to make decisions and explore their own directions is what art projects should be about. The emphasis on the young people rather than the school curriculum needs, the opportunity for time out in a safe space.”
The Travelling Sketchbooks
Although the workshops were held in separate schools, fostering a sense of community and shared experience was a key element of the ArtRoom project. Over the 18 months, the project provided opportunities for the young carers to come together, including two away days — one in October 2023 at the Dartmoor Activity Centre and another in June 2024 at On the Hill.
To create a common thread and strengthen the connection among the participants, three traveling sketchbooks were introduced. These sketchbooks offered a space for the young carers to draw, doodle, and write during the workshops or away days, serving as a visual link between all the participants and a creative way to capture moments of shared reflection.
The chance for these young carers to connect with peers who share similar life experiences was a vital and highly successful aspect of the project.
“(The project) has given that recogisned time and space to highlight they are a young carer, to meet other young carers in school and at the away days, to feel part of something and the ability to be able to take their learnings and understanding of art home – and be able to use it as coping skill.”
“They (the young carers) have tried and experienced things that they may not have used or done before, or in that way. Using different strategies encouraged by staff and Artist (the amazing Kerry) helped them to be experimental and brave with a supportive safety net- often the mistakes made the best creations which then boosted confidence and showed them there can be more than one way to get an outcome.”
A Celebration at On the Hill
The final away day at On the Hill, in June 2024, was a celebration of the project’s success and its clear impact on all participants. The day was filled with diverse activities that showcased the project’s holistic approach. Participants embarked on a challenging walk to the top of the hill, engaging in physical activity while taking in the surroundings. Creative activities were central to the day, with contributions from three artists who facilitated visual arts projects, and a dynamic Taiko drumming session led by Taiko Southwest. The participants also enjoyed feeding the farm animals, including piglets and chickens, and savoured woodfired pancakes.
The event was a joyful gathering where young carers, school staff, artists, On the Hill staff, and members from Westbank and Daisi came together, forging new friendships and partnerships. The positive transformation in many young carers was evident, highlighting the profound impact of regular, sustained, and non-judgmental creative engagement. Westbank expressed said they would like to see similar projects available to more young carers across the region.
The day served as a powerful testament to the potential of creative and communal activities in enhancing the lives of young carers, fostering resilience, creativity, and connection.
“Many of (the young carers) talked about having time to relax and have some time for themselves. Some of them talked about how it gives them space in their heads. The away days were also spoken about very highly”
“The away days were particularly good – it gave students and staff time away to build a relationship which is then kept throughout school, this is something missing in many mainstream schools now due to time restraints and curriculum.”
A Celebration of the ArtRoom at On the Hill in Pictures
Photographs by Emily Appleton Event Photography
