Young people in Derby/shire find space to play music and perform

Young People from across Derby and Derbyshire came together last Saturday to find somewhereto_ play music and perform, as part of the giant live performance art festival Derby Festé. The Silk Mill, one of Derbys' wonderful museums, kindly donated a space IN one of their exhibits, a reproduction of a 1970s living room!

The young people, some performing in bands / groups, and some by themselves played great sets, full of well-known cover versions and original songs too. The crowd, which had gathered at The Silk Mill to take part in the giant fish making activities, and the video games tournaments, as well as to hear the music- were brilliant, and really supportive to the lovely young musicians. They all had a great day, performed really well and received lots of applause.

'It was an awesome place to play, I love the 70s feel, and the sofas, they're really comfy! It was brill, thanks" said Sean, one of the musicians. Lots of the bands said they'd love to come back and play here again, so we'll see what we can do again in the future. Watch this space!

If you need somewhereto_ do the thing that you love then get in touch with Daisy, our somewhereto_ programme Manager – daisy@themightycreatives.com

FILM: Highfields School - the inside story

The new school term started just a few weeks ago. If you're still settling into your new year group or an entirely new school then check out this quirky video created by Year seven pupils at Highfields School in Matlock, Derbyshire,  who worked on a Creative Partnerships project last term which focused on inductions and transitions.

Our first participation training workshop

The Mighty Creatives (TMC) participation team delivered their first external training session to a group of enthusiastic learners from Kaine Management last week.

TMC were commissioned by Kaine to deliver bespoke training for their staff around engaging young people, challenging behaviour and creating a positive and empowering environment for young people. The morning flew by and the atmosphere was incredibly positive with learners engaged in a series of practical and often humorous activities designed to illustrate the various methods for engaging and intervening with young people.

The training was written and delivered by Ben Kingston-Hughes and Daisy Edwards from TMC’s participation team and was extremely well received. Every single learner gave the training an "excellent" rating and every single learner expressed that they would recommend TMC training to others. Feedback was universally positive and the training was genuinely enjoyable to deliver. It must also be acknowledged that the passion and talent of the staff at Kaine management was clearly evident as they applied themselves to the training with enthusiasm and professionalism.



Here’s to many more successful training ventures for the participation team!


“Training was very engaging and thought provoking. Clear, practical and informative.”


“Very eye opening, informative and really helped me and given me a greater understanding of young people.”


“I feel more equipped to work with young people now.”

Do you want to find out more or receive some training from TMC's participation team? Contact Ben - ben@mightycreatives.com

Preeya's final blog

Preeya Parmar final blog post from her work placement with TMC:

"My experience at TMC has been very useful in allowing me to become familiar with accounting processes used in a real working environment. I have been able to gain knowledge on the important accounting computer system, SAGE which is used daily to carry out activities. My A level accounting knowledge has been put into practice by carrying out tasks usually completed by the finance team at TMC such as inputting supplier invoices, remittances, helping with petty cash checks and filing of invoices and bank statements. I was also shown the process of bank reconciliation and inputting business expenses. From my work experience, I have gained a better understanding of accounting and its processes in a business organisation.



I have definitely taken away valuable experience and a wider understanding of accountancy which will help me throughout my degree at university this year.


My overall time at TMC has been very enjoyable and I have had fun meeting and becoming part of the finance team for a few weeks! Staff are very friendly and helpful! I very much appreciate this opportunity given to me and would like to thank the whole team for the chance to become part of TMC and would love to come back!"

Thanks Preeya!

Journals participants at SO Festival in Skegness

Find out more about The Mighty Creatives' Journals project.

Action Learning

In July 2010 TMC launched a new opportunity for professionals and young people from across the creative, cultural and education sectors to take part in an Action Learning programme.


There were two offers generated:


1. Train to be a Facilitator of Action Learning (running Action Learning sets across the East Midlands)


2. Become a Set member of an Action Learning Set (being a member of a Set facilitated by one of the TMC trained Facilitators)

The vision

"Empowering children and young people through training for adults."

Aim

To develop and support action based change with and for young people, through a series of network based learning offers

To support this TMC worked with delivery partners, Diamond Edge, to train stakeholders and partners from across the sectors we serve in setting up and facilitating Action Learning Sets (ALS). Participants trained through this programme worked with TMC to facilitate Action Learning Sets within the sector.

What is Action Learning?

It is a facilitated, structured process - simple yet highly effective.

It is a way to develop skills, enhance creativity and innovation, encourage collaborative working and learning and build leadership capability.


A typical session involves:


• A group of peers, known as a Set, commit to meet regularly over a period of time.


• During the sessions Set members will present live issues, opportunities or problems they face and can personally take action on.


• The other Set members ask questions to help the “presenter” gain insight, test assumptions and explore all the options.


• The presenter then decides on action they are going to take around their issue and identifies any learning from the discussion


• Action is taken between sessions and an update given at the next one


Learning comes though the questioning around each issue presented, the motivation to take action, and reflection on this in the next session. It involves working on real problems, focusing on learning and implementing solutions.


The outcomes

• TMC successfully recruited 12 individuals from across different sectors including 2 young people to be facilitators of Action Learning. 11 facilitators completed the programme with partners Diamond Edge.


• 6 Action Learning Sets were established across the East Midlands including a mixed Adult and Young People’s set with 42 participants from across the sectors taking part in Sets.


A lot of learning took place form this pilot programme not only for the individuals involved but also for TMC in thinking about developing this offer for the future.


Some of the comments from facilitators and set members clearly show the successes of the programme:


“I have found that my questioning skills have really developed and this has really helped my work with disengaged young people. At times I have used it to aid behaviour management”
(Facilitator)

“I feel that I am a lot more productive in meetings, that I contribute much more valuably to conversations, am more patient and understanding with people in general. I can really listen now, and I am a lot less distracted during conversations and meetings as I am listening and concentrating on what people are SAYING, rather than just hearing the words.”
(Facilitator)

“Action learning has helped me make some difficult decisions, supported me, restored my confidence in myself and has helped me to understand myself a lot better, as well as taught me some excellent new skills and abilities. I have also been able to contribute valuably to the lives of others, and have built a great and immensely supportive group of colleagues. I would not want to be without this group, and we hope to continue long into the future as the benefits of the group has been huge, for all of us."
(Facilitator)


“As a new freelancer starting on my training business and CA it has been an absolutely invaluable stage in my personal development really broadening my portfolio of skills and opening me up to new ways of working and assisting me working out strategies and ways forward with professional issues."
(Participant)

“I am now able to understand the direction of the journey rather than going around in circles.” (Participant)



What next?

Watch this space!

Update from Preeya

Preeya working with TMC's finance manager, Lila

18-year-old Preeya Parmar has been enjoying her work placement with TMC's finance team over the last few weeks.

Here's what she's been up to:

"Last week, I used SAGE in tasks such as inputting supplier invoices. I have also been shown how to carry out a bank reconciliation using SAGE therefore allowing me to put A-Level knowledge of Accountancy into practice. This will let me become familiar with the system before starting University which is a really helpful! 
My work experience at TMC will help me throughout my degree at university as it has given me the opportunity to see Accounting processes put into practice in a real work environment."

Preeya has received three B grades in her A-levels (accountancy, business and psychology) and has gained a place at De Montfort University to Study Accounting and Finance.

Thanks for joining TMC Preeya and good luck at university!