Looked After Children Project
I thoroughly enjoyed work on this project for The Futures Trust and managed by dot-art. I spent two days a week working with small groups of looked after children in a primary and secondary school in Coventry, West Midlands. It's great to work with the same children for a sustained period as normally I go in once for a few days then I'm gone. Every child’s experience of being a looked after child will be different and unique to them, so my approach is also individual. Providing them with a loosely themed framework within which they can express themselves - in their own way, using recycled paper and cardboard materials.
As a care experienced person myself I love having the opportunity to inspire and boost the confidence of these children and young people.
“My Monster” Primary theme
Each child (ranging from Year 2 - Year 6) was supported to create their own individual sculpture using newspaper, wire and sticky tape, with waste colour and printed papers for the decoration and details. They also did a drawing to visualise their ideas and work out how to construct them in 3D. Love their imaginative response to the theme of my monster!
“My Space” Secondary theme
‘My Space’ was the theme I gave the older group of children (ranging from Year 7 - Year 10). I briefed them to base their individual sculptures on anything that they related to in their life. Maybe an element of what they like doing in their free time or their interests, ambitions or dreams. Some of the children used words, phrases or a name to construct their 3D framework on, then layers of paper mache to add details.
