Creative Bexley Youth Consultation

Creative Bexley Youth Voice Consultation

“Life would be so boring without creativity and the power to embrace ourselves…

Bexley should give us more of a voice.” Participant, aged 11.

Produced by Sound Connections for Creative Bexley December 2021

Table of Contents 1

2

Introduction and

About Sound

context, p.3

Connections, p.4

4

The expected impact

5

6

and change, p.7

3 The brief p.5

7

Ethics and

Survey findings,

Focus group

values, p.8

p.9

findings, p.19

8

9

10

Key learnings,

Recommendations,

Acknowledgements,

p.23

p.24

p.25

Introduction In April 2021 Bexley’s Cultural Education Partnership (CEP) Creative Bexley, led

by Odyssey Trust for Education, commissioned Sound Connections to help them consult with children and young people to explore the role of arts, culture, and creativity in the lives of young people in Bexley, and the barriers they face in engaging with activity. The aim was for findings to inform the thinking of Creative Bexley by hearing from young people in their locality, and to underpin future development of activity that the CEP is looking to produce, to ensure that new work is relevant to and inclusive of the young communities across Bexley.

Creative Bexley is a new Cultural Education Partnership for Bexley – uniting a range of partners to develop a creative offer for children & young people in the borough. Their vision is a sustainable partnership that provides three key activities: 1. to create a conduit for sharing opportunities (and practice) with the schools and young people in the borough in a timely and efficient way; 2. to build a sustained connection between arts and cultural activity in schools and beyond it, so partners and educators can build projects in genuine partnership; 3. to build the capacity of teachers and young people through professional learning and supporting schools in achieving Artsmark and embedding Arts Award into their schools.

Most importantly is the long-term vision of a partnership that creates new work for Bexley that would not be possible individually.

Using a methodology Sound Connections has developed in partnership with several creative and cultural organisations, we heard from 957 young people aged 11-25 via an online survey and we have delivered five Youth Consultation focus groups with 45 young people aged 11 - 23 across two secondary schools, two performing arts colleges and one cultural provider from the borough.

3

About Sound Connections Sound Connections is a creative, values-driven, and youth-focussed charity that is ambitious about creating change and social impact at a national and international level, with 20 years’ experience of connecting organisations and young people across the creative, cultural and youth sectors. We are sectorleaders in youth voice, strategy, research and evaluation across the music education, arts, cultural and heritage sectors.

Youth Voice is in the DNA of our organisation and our youth voice work is a beacon of best practice within the creative sector. Using the principles of the UN Rights of the Child and democratic participation, we work with young people and organisations to put young people front and centre in decisionmaking that impacts their own lives.

We have developed our own Youth Voice practice since 2010 through Wired4Music (W4M), our flagship programme offering creatives aged 16-25 hands-on support, mentoring, funding, guidance and training through events and professional development activities. To date we have worked with over 8,000 young creatives offering thousands of opportunities and countless hours of support. At W4M everything is led by our members - what we do is informed by, for, and with, young people.

By developing our Youth Voice & Participation practice through W4M, we are at the cutting edge of best practice, and this is reflected and shared in the work we deliver through our training and consultancy work such as: National youth consultation for Arts Council England to inform Let’s Create strategy Training Arts Council England Senior Managers in Youth Voice practice and principles Developing over 20 youth advisory boards 60+ consultations across the creative youth sector Delivering international research and youth consultation programmes for the British Council, including Next Generation: Poland, World Voice (Colombia, Ethiopia, Greece, Nepal, and Palestine), and Action for Hope's refugee programme (Lebanon and Jordan).

4

The brief In line with Creative Bexley’s vision, Sound Connections was commissioned to help them consult with children and young people to explore

1

What did we want to find out?

In consultation with Creative Bexley we agreed that the purpose and aim of the consultation was to find out: 1. how young people currently

the role of arts, culture, and

identify, and interact with,

creativity in the lives of

creative and cultural activity

young people in Bexley, and the barriers they face in engaging with activity.

2

2. what cultural and creative means to them 3. what young people would like to see in the future.

Why did we want to find this out?

1.National context: the sector has a responsibility to engage young people in active participation and include them in the development of a more sustainable and strategic future, and key to that is having a better understanding of young people’s cultural values and the barriers they face.

2.Local context: Bexley CEP has a distinct purpose to respond to genuine need and be location specific, therefore they want to find out what the reality for young people in Bexley is so that they can build a programme of activity to support them to grow through, and with, the CEP in a sustainable and integrated way.

5

The brief continued...

How did we find this out?

After discussions with Creative Bexley, Sound Connections developed a mixed methodological approach for capturing

3a

Borough-wide survey

We created an online survey targeting 11 – 25 years olds through schools, organisations working with young people and the wider community The survey combined multiple choice and open response questions.

young people’s voices...

3b

Focus Groups

3c

Report

Five sessions on zoom as follows; 2 x local secondary schools – Townley Grammar School and King Henry School

§ 2 x further/higher education establishments – Rose Bruford College and Bird College 1 x group of young people from local cultural organisation Bexley

Full report of findings, learnings and recommendations Sharing event on 16 December 2021 Summary report of findings and recommendations: a one-page ‘What You Told Us’ document to be shared with young people.

Music (the music hub for the borough).

6

The expected impact and change Through consulting with young people in Bexley, we aimed to have the following impact and change for young people and the CEP organisations respectively.

The CEP partner organisations 1. Better understanding of what young people currently identify with, what arts, culture and creativity means to them and what they would like to see in the future 2. Better understanding of barriers and challenges keeping young people from engaging in arts, culture and creative activities and the role of arts, culture, and creativity in the lives of young people 3. Better understanding of how the CEP can positively impact the lives of young people 4. Newly developed networks and relationships with young people 5. Plans to increase engagement among key demographics based on findings from data collection 6. Information to inform strategic planning processes into the future and to engage CEP partners in the process.

Young People 1. More inclusive and informed offer based on findings and leading to increased engagement 2. Potential for youth leadership opportunities within the CEP, i.e., future consultations, youth voice forums etc.

3. Opportunity to share opinions and ideas and be part of the development of the CEP.

7

Ethics and values Everything we do at Sound Connections is through partnership and collaboration, and our values of inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and participation are at the very heart of our ethos. Consultation and co-production are incredibly important to us and integral to our approach. We are recognised experts in consultation and collaboration. Within the team we have expertise in facilitating input from a variety of stakeholders including children and young people, artists, educators, senior managers, and funders. We are adept at observing and gathering evidence in a range of formal and non-formal settings and we have a strong belief in the importance of participant stakeholder voice, reflected in our consultative and ‘listening’ approach to our work.

It is vitally important for Sound Connections to be mindful of ethics and values when working in youth consultation. In the facilitation of the focus groups, Sound Connections staff actively involve young people and develop belonging and ownership of the conversation. In correspondence with partners, Sound Connections ensure that staff understand the context of the work, outline the approach, and send workshop information ahead of time to enable staff to fully brief and prepare participants.

An accessible summary document for young people will be circulated to all participants collating the findings and confirming how participants’ opinions and ideas will be incorporated and acted upon.

Fundamental to the process is the involvement of young facilitators in all focus group sessions. Supported by Sound Connections staff, young facilitators (all 1625 years old for Wired4Music) co-facilitate the focus group sessions. This activity provides co-facilitators the opportunity to develop skills in leadership, confidence in facilitation and practical experience of working in a creative environment. It also bridges the gap between participants and facilitators and offers roundtable participants role models from a creative industries profession. All co-facilitators are paid at a London Living Wage hourly rate.

8

Survey Findings The headlines 83%

97%

of respondents

of respondents

were aged 11-16

were in education

72% of respondents said arts, culture and creativity was important

64%

84% who were aware of activities thought the current offer is 'not good to ok.'

of respondents weren't

or very

aware of any arts, culture

important to

and creative activities.

them

37% felt that more advertising and awareness would help them The findings get involved in

79% had ideas about what they would like which include: More performance opportunities (16%) More arts

opportunities in

opportunities (12%)

Bexley.

Access to space and equipment (10%)

9

Survey Findings in Detail Section One: About the Young People Most young people surveyed were secondary school age, broken down as in pie chart 1, with 97% of respondents being in education.

There were respondents from almost all postcodes in Bexley, and the highest representation from DA6 7 Chart one

postcode (22%) which is due to many respondents attending one school in particular.

When asked what was important to them at the moment, respondents selected a wide range.

Friends and family were top of their list of priorities (with 796 and 783 selections respectively), closely followed by health including mental health and home (555 and 533 respondents respectively), followed by future prospects (479 respondents), money (431 respondents) and social justice (417 respondents).

10

Survey Findings in Detail Section Two: What Does Arts, Culture and Creativity Mean to You? Understanding of language Creative Bexley was keen to explore what connotations young people have around the words ‘arts’, ‘culture’ and ‘creativity’ – to inform language and thinking.

When asked ‘when you hear the word ‘arts’ what do you think of?’ young people primarily thought of performing arts (such as drama and theatre), visual arts (painting and crafts), creativity and music.

When asked ‘when you hear the word ‘culture’ what do you think of?’ young people primary thought of identity and their background, places such as countries and region, traditions, food, religion and beliefs, race and ethnicity, community, and heritage.

When asked ‘when you hear the word ‘creativity’ what do you think of?’ young people primary thought of visual art (crafts, painting etc.), imagination and thinking, self-expression and being yourself, originality, and new ideas.

Arts

Culture

Creativity

11

Survey Findings in Detail Section Two: What Does Arts, Culture and Creativity Mean to You? Taking part in arts, culture, and creative activities 72% of young people said that arts, culture, and creativity is either important or very important in their lives (39% and 33% respectively), with 85% saying they currently take part in activities.

Young people take part in a huge variety of activities, with the top three activities being: 1. Music (listening, making music, performing, going to gigs etc.) – 665 respondents 2. Film & TV (watching at home, going to the cinema, making your own clips etc.) – 609 respondents 3. Reading (fiction, non-fiction, poetry etc.) – 540 respondents

12

Survey Findings in Detail Section Two: What Does Arts, Culture and Creativity Mean to You? Where, why, how the take part, and barriers to taking part...

The top three places where they took part in activities are: 1. At home (33%) 2. Online (27%) 3. At school, college, or university (20%)

The main ways they take part in activities are: On their own (34%) 2. With friends (26%) 3. Mixture – of on their own, with friends and/or family (22%) 4. With family (16%) 1.

The top four reasons why young people take part in activities are: 1. It’s fun (37%) 2. Helps them develop skills (23%) 3. Supports wellbeing and mental health (19%) and 4. Making friends and socialising (18%)

The main barriers to participation are: Time (27%) 2. Money (16%) 3. Concerns around health and wellbeing due to Covid-19 (13%) 4. Unsure where to find opportunities (12%) 5. Travel (9%) 6. Influence of friends and family (7%) 7. No opportunities appeal to me (7%) 8. I don’t feel welcomed or included (6%) 1.

13

Survey Findings in Detail Section Three: Culture and Creativity in Bexley We then asked more specific questions around Bexley as a place and young people’s awareness of arts, culture, and creativity in the area.

64% weren’t aware of any arts, cultural and creative venues, and spaces in Bexley, and the remaining 36% of answers were spread across a very wide range of answers with the next most common being: 1. School 7% 2. Cinema 4% 3. Library 4% 4. Danson Park 2% 5. Gym / Leisure Centre 2% 6. Art Gallery 1% 7. Bexley Music Service 1%

Again, 64% weren’t aware of any arts, cultural and creative activities in Bexley. The remaining 36% of answers were spread as follows: 1. Other (8%), examples include Creative Bexley, Mencap, Activities in Parks, Murals Project 2. Dance (6%) 3. Sport/leisure (5%) 4. Drama/performing arts (4%) 5. Art (4%) 6. Music (4%) 7. School/college (2%) 8. Youth clubs and centres (2%)

53% of respondents thought that the current offer of arts, culture and creativity activities was OK – with 33% saying it’s poor or very poor, and 13% saying it’s good or very good.

14

Suvery Findings in Detail Section Three: Culture and Creativity in Bexley Their future careers.

22% of respondents are planning to work in the arts, culture, and creative sectors, 36% aren’t and 43% are undecided.

Those who are thinking about a career in the sector are thinking about working in the following areas/jobs: 1. Art / craft / design (26%) 2. Musician / singer (22%) 3. Other (20%), examples include author, administration, music technologist, youtuber, F1/Football.

4. Film / media (15%) 5. Acting (11%) 6. Music related career (6%)

The top reasons who aren’t thinking about a career in the sector 1. Want a different career (37%) 2. Does not interest me (32%) 3. Does not pay enough (11%) 4. Other (10%), examples include – ‘It seems complicated’, ‘people are judgemental’, ‘overcrowded’ 5. I am not good at arts subjects (6%) 6. Not enough opportunities (2%) 7. Accessibility requirements / disability (1%) 8. Not a stable job (1%)

15

Survey Findings in Detail Section Three: Culture and Creativity in Bexley Developing the offer in Bexley When asked ‘what opportunities would you like to see in Bexley?’ whilst 17% were unsure, the top requests were for: 1. Performances and events (concerts, gigs etc.) – 16% 2. More arts opportunities (dance, art music, drama) – 12% 3. A wider range of inclusive opportunities that reflect diversity, cultural awareness, and accessibility 4. Access to space and equipment – 10%

Other ideas included workshops and classes (9%), specific venues such as theatres, galleries, studios etc. (9%) in addition to ‘more of everything’, ‘more resources for mental health and for more people to be supported’, ‘more information’.

When asked about support needed for careers in the arts, creative and cultural sector young people asked for: 1. More information (32%) 2. Training (25%)

“Trying to reach out and help those wanting to get into arts.”

“The value placed on art has decreased so it’s harder to make money as a musician because only a very small number of people buy music, so maybe with vinyl and cassettes and CDs becoming more popular you could do something about that maybe? Or provide spaces to perform in paid gigs too”

When asked what we could do to help get you more involved in opportunities in Bexley: 37% said that advertising and raising awareness was needed 13% didn’t know 10% asked for more opportunities.

16

Survey Findings in Detail Section Three: Culture and Creativity in Bexley

Other requests include cheaper opportunities and more funding, connecting with schools, making things more accessible and appeal. Ideas and comments included: embed them into school times for those who don't live local get more involved with the people and hear what they have to say. don’t just listened to those who are more privileged is all aspects of life, get a fair range of opinions and suggestions doing good things for the community would get people involved

The main places young people look for opportunities are: school, college, university (29%), Google (26%), Instagram (16%), TikTok (16%), Other (5%), Twitter (5%) and Facebook (3%).

Thoughts from young people I really hope that the arts becomes a large community, welcome in every environment and community in Bexley I think schools should include more of a variety of teaching once in a while including more activities including arts and crafts even for non creative subjects because art and visual/active learning can help a lot of people as well as putting less strain on students mental health I just think it would be nice that considering it's pride month that Bexley did something for the Lgbtq+ community.

I wish there were facilities to practice cooking or cooking classes for kid I would just generally like more time to focus on creative subjects I would like more art galleries and places to share your artwork.

I would really like to make and tell the stories I would like to make and tell.

It is really important to allow young people the freedom to make their own art and choices It would be nice for more social, fun and entertaining events to take place.

Let teenagers and children be in their element and give them opportunities to show of their creativity in multiple ways and encourage them.

Please make Bexleyheath more inclusive for people of colour Please make use of more cultures and don’t whitewash them

17

Survey Findings in Detail Section Three: Culture and Creativity in Bexley Where, why, how the take part, and barriers to taking part...

The top three places where they took part in activities are: 1. At home (33%) 2. Online (27%) 3. At school, college, or university (20%)

The main ways they take part in activities are: On their own (34%) 2. With friends (26%) 3. Mixture – of on their own, with friends and/or family (22%) 4. With family (16%) 1.

The top four reasons why young people take part in activities are: 1. It’s fun (37%) 2. Helps them develop skills (23%) 3. Supports wellbeing and mental health (19%) and 4. Making friends and socialising (18%)

The main barriers to participation are: Time (27%) 2. Money (16%) 3. Concerns around health and wellbeing due to Covid-19 (13%) 4. Unsure where to find opportunities (12%) 5. Travel (9%) 6. Influence of friends and family (7%) 7. No opportunities appeal to me (7%) 8. I don’t feel welcomed or included (6%) 1.

18

Focus Group Findings

Context We held five consultation groups on zoom, led by Liz Coomb, Programme Manager at Sound Connections, with

5x focus groups with 45 young people aged 11-23 online via zoom

support from Jasmine Padda, W4M member and CoFacilitator, as follows: 1. Bexley Music, 12 young people aged 14-18 2. Bird College, 12 young people aged 18-23 3. King Henry School, 8 young people aged 11-14 4. Rose Bruford, 7 young people aged 19-22 5. Townley Grammar School, 6 young people aged 12-15

Methodology Based on a tried and tested method we have developed over the years we split our session into three key areas: arts, culture and creativity in your life, arts culture and creativity in Bexley, and your future.

We used Padlet to capture answers for the groups.

19

Focus Group Findings Section One: Arts, culture and creativity in your life 1. What types of arts, culture and creativity do you take part in?

Young people take part in a wide range of activities which mirrors the survey responses, key activities here were: music, art, dance, drama, museums, martial arts, and sport. When talking about what they take part in they are both passive and active participants (from going to watch things, to creating things themselves).

2. How important is arts, culture, and creativity in your life?

100% of young people in the focus groups felt that arts, culture and creativity was important or really important to them because; “it helps you build skills”, “helps with wellbeing if you’re stressed”, “learn new things”, “affects your mood and helps you express yourself”, “teaches you life skills” and “even in ‘noncreative’ subjects, like maths and geometry etc. creativity is everywhere”.

3. How do you interact with arts, culture, and creativity?

Again, young people interact in a wide range of ways, those mentioned included: watching TV and films, playing an instrument, going to gigs or galleries, watching things online, taking part in workshops online, Instagram, Spotify, national theatre at home, fashion shows, meeting people and being creative together

4. Where do you access arts, culture, and creativity?

Due to the pandemic, young people generally access arts, culture, and creativity through school and local activity such as dance or music school online via Tiktok, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, discord, google, Pinterest, Netflix, tv and film. They also spoke a lot about ‘going up to London’ or out of borough to watch shows and engage in activities in the past or when they have been able to (taking into consideration various lockdowns).

5.Who support you in your creative endeavours?

Young people felt supported by a wide range of people from family, friends, peers, and teachers and some also mentioned places like Mind that have an LGBTQ+ support service. Some schools were very supportive with a strong arts ethos, and others weren’t at all.

20

Focus Group Findings Section Two: Arts, culture and creativity in Bexley 1.What do you think of the current offer of arts, cultural and creative activities in Bexley?

Generally, the young people we spoke to felt that the offer within their setting (school, college, music centre) was good but outside of that the current wider offer in Bexley is quite limited or they’re not sure what’s going on either due to lack of promotion or lack of activity, or that they tend to go out of borough for things.

2.What activities would you like to see more of?

The young people had an extensive list of things they’d like to see more of an exhibition by young people showcasing local talent, more clubs across all disciplines, cooking club, live streams, jam sessions and studio space, live performances, more workshops online, night life, opportunities to perform, pottery, more therapeutic arts workshops, providing space for young people such as youth clubs, workshops, and performances at school.

3.What would help you to access these activities?

Key things that would help them access the activities listed above were: better promotion and awareness through social media, a website with information all in one place, more information for parents, carers, and teachers about what’s on. Some great ideas here about using google classroom and setting up different sections or quizzes that show you what’s on / available based on your interests etc. talks in schools etc. financial accessibility – they don’t have a lot of money, so can things be discounted or have bursaries, could there be a free ticket scheme etc.

Flexible timewise, they have a huge number of commitments – Location – online, or local so they’re spending less time travelling (which also costs them) and more time engaging with activity.

4.How would you describe Bexley to your friends?

The young people generally felt that Bexley is suburban, with lots of parks and quite nice neighbourhood with ‘not too many gangs’ and well connected into London, and family orientated but a bit boring.

21

Focus Group Findings Section Three: Your Future 1.What are your hopes for a future career?

50% of the young people in the focus groups predominantly wanted performing careers in the creative industries with the remaining 50% wanting careers such as doctors, lawyers, biologists etc.

2.What are your concerns about future career prospects?

The majority of concerns around moving into a creative career were around how competitive the industry is, unemployment/not enough jobs as they can be saturated industries and that creative careers are unstable and not encouraged by society and the government – with young people bringing up the infamous ‘Fatima’s next job is in tech’ poster.

Other concerns in general included, climate change, Covid-19, maintaining good mental health, and industries and society not being fully inclusive with discussion around sexism, racism and prejudice affecting people’s life choices and opportunities.

3.How could arts, culture and creativity help you recover from the pandemic?

Young people felt that arts, culture, and creativity could help them, and wider society recover from the pandemic in a number of ways; Helping us to find out what we’re good at and try new things Meet new people and rebuild socialising Build confidence Helping us to express ourselves and process all the negative things that have happened Bring people together to make, do and create things together Could build a lockdown archive

4.What support would you like taking next steps in your career?

Young people feel they need more information on what is available, step-by-step guidance on how to transition from education to employment, mentoring, how to prepare for further education and university or a career in the creative industries.

22

Key Learnings

1

Young people associate the word ‘arts’ with activity, culture with their identities and creativity with making new things and expressing yourself.

Arts, culture, and creativity are important, to really important, to the

2

majority of young people in Bexley, however the current offer doesn’t meet their needs with 64% of survey respondents not being aware of any activity or creative spaces.

Young people take part in a huge variety of arts, cultural and creative activities – unsurprisingly this is predominantly at home/online due to

3

the Covid-19 pandemic. They mainly take part on their own or with friends, and the key reasons they do so are because it’s fun, helps them develop skills, supports their wellbeing and mental health and to make friends and socialise.

4 5

The main barriers to participation are currently time, money, health concerns and unsure where to find opportunities.

Young people want access to more opportunities, and are conscious of being inclusive and culturally diverse.

23

Recommendations

To explore the development of a communications strategy that joins up

1

the offer to increase awareness for young people, meeting them where they are (school, online, Instagram, Tik Tok etc.)

To explore developing more opportunities that meet young people’s

2

needs i.e., are inclusive, diverse, are fun and develop their skills – both online and in person

To continue the conversation with young people, they are keen to have their voices heard and to shape opportunities – as one respondent

3

wrote: “what’s the point in the surveys if you usually never take any feedback”? this could be through more frequent focus groups and/or an advisory group that regularly feeds into Creative Bexley.

“Life would be so boring without creativity and the power to embrace ourselves…

Bexley should give us more of a voice.” Participant, aged 11.

24

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to: the young people of Bexley for sharing their thoughts and opinions with us, Creative Bexley and partners for undertaking this work and to A New Direction for funding Creative Bexley.

Report produced by Liz Coomb for Sound Connections.

info@sound-connections.org.uk twitter.com/SConnections www.sound-connections.org.uk 25