We are so proud and delighted for our young people who won The ‘Team Spirit Award’ at this years NOW Festival. It perfectly captures the attitude of the young people who pulled together and overcame their nerves, wobbly self-esteem and confidence and creative differences to deliver an award winning performance!
Their performance was entitled: Teach The Teachers: A Manifesto for Change.
The manifesto highlights how LGBTQ+ young people believe that some schools may be in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is based upon their experience of not feeling safe and supported in school, in order to access their universal right to an education. This piece presented their manifesto in dramatic form, alongside the ‘Teach the Teachers’ song, which conveys their message on the importance of feeling safe and supported within school in order for LGBTQ+ young people to thrive.
WELL DONE EVERYONE!!
Chris Porter – YPAS Support Services Team Lead added:
“We are so happy for how our young people performed. Considering we are talking about young people who traditionally struggle with anxiety, confidence and feeling isolated or rejected due to how they identify under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, we couldn’t have wished for a better example for their peers for them to be proud of who they are and stand up for their rights in education. So chuffed!”
Hundreds of children and young people from schools, clubs and youth groups across Liverpool came together to deliver a range of dramatic performances at the Epstein Theatre, exploring the subject of ‘My education, my mental health’. The NOW festival aims to engage young people in a creative discussion around the topic of mental health, through whatever ‘NOW’ issue is chosen by the team and young people’s steering group. With an estimated 1 in 4 people now experiencing some form of mental distress during their lifetime, the NOW Festival provides a platform from which to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and explore ways of building resilience and improving mental health. The NOW Festival takes place during children and young people’s mental health week and gives young people the opportunity to discuss, learn and explore mental health whilst gaining an amazing amount of experience
Suziie Davis – YPAS Social Worker/Participation added:
“The young people gave an outstanding performance which represented examples of LGBT rights that are being denied to some pupils in some schools. As an organisation, we couldn’t be more proud of their piece and of their unwavering determination to illicit change”
We cant wait to get planning for next years festival!