Celebrating World Arts Day with DreamArts Charity

Today is World Arts Day, a celebration to promote the development, diffusion and enjoyment of art. To celebrate we wanted to highlight DreamArts, a charity we have been lucky enough to work with and support. Graham Whitlock and his passionate team have transformed the lives of thousands of people across London.

 We love working with charities; from large charities such as Wellcome to specialist charities such as Action for Children. For nearly 10 years we’ve supported DreamArts, whose logo some of you may have noticed on the back of our bespoke Context+ Christmas cards.

 DreamArts is a Westminster based charity that supports young people’s wellbeing by offering them the chance to creatively express themselves. They help uncover and nurture the talents of 6–25 year-olds through performing, multi-media as well as leadership and communication skills. Furthermore, DreamArts extends its support to communities in need by offering free arts-based therapy in areas like Church Street, a ward where approximately 50% of children live below the poverty line despite being just a 15-minute walk from Marylebone High Street.

 

Their projects are based around three E’s:

1.       EXPERIMENT – weekend workshops where young people create their own work, from musicals to immersive performances

2.       EXPAND – creating opportunities to make your own project.

3.       EXPRESS – creative and therapeutic projects for young people facing challenges including young carers and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.  

Some upcoming events that DreamArts are hosting:

+ Carers Express Workshops – for 7-19 year olds who provide emotional or practical support to a loved one, enabling them to have a break from their caring role, express themselves and have fun.

+ Friends From Afar –supporting unaccompanied asylum seeking young people to create their own theatre pieces; this summer the group will present at the Marylebone Theatre and tour venues across the UK including Birmingham Rep.

+ Express Plus – free 1:1 therapy support for young people experiencing mental health challenges

+Young Carers Awareness Training on 23rd May - to support awareness and identification of young carers

If you would like to support DreamArts or learn more about what they do, then you can email Graham at graham@dreamarts.org.uk or visit their website www.dreamarts.org.uk