Outdoor Studios CIC Empowers Young Carers with Creative Nature Workshops in Kent

OUTDOOR Studios CIC facilitates artist-led workshops for creative experiential learning exploring the environment, landscape and place, and the advancing impact of climate change. They received a total of £4000 towards art sessions for young carers, in Ashford, Folkestone, Sittingbourne and Canterbury, from two philanthropic funds managed by Kent Community Foundation.

Outdoor Studios CIC aim to bring free and low-cost activities to families living in areas of deprivation in and around Kent, who may feel excluded from arts and culture. Working in partnership with the charity Imago Community, Outdoor Studios CIC  applied to Kent Community Foundation for funding to provide a series of eight complimentary, bespoke creative outdoor workshops for young carers aged between 5-18. The art sessions were designed to help raise awareness of Imago Community’s work with carers of all ages; provide respite and wellbeing opportunities for young people living in stressful circumstances; and provide valuable opportunities for interaction with peers.

Elsie Monks, Children and Young People’s Team Leader, Imago Community said:

“Being a young carer is a huge responsibility and the Outdoor CIC art sessions were a wonderful opportunity to provide wellbeing and bonding opportunities in natural environments. During these sessions, they don’t have to worry about what’s going on at home and their normal caring roles. It just gives them a chance to be children, to be happy and have fun and make friends for a day.”

Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact and Deputy Chief Executive, of Kent Community Foundation said:

“Two of our philanthropic fundholders were pleased to jointly fund this project which allowed children, who are young carers, to meet others with similar responsibilities and recharge their batteries through a shared art experience.”

Artist Amanda Thesiger, from Outdoor Studios CIC, who led a carer art session in Canterbury said:

“Outdoor Studios has been running for nearly 10 years, and we work with all sorts of groups, all ages and backgrounds, linking people with place, with the natural environment and with green spaces. We’re really pleased to be working with young carers as part of our commitment to work with groups that might not otherwise get out and about in nature, into environments like this, and have the freedom and the space to be themselves. They’ve shown themselves to be true artists, and I also think being in nature helps to release something as well.”

To contact Kent Community Foundation about funding for charities and community groups call 01303 814500, email: admin@kentcf.org.uk or visit: www.kentcf.org.uk/funding.