Cementing a project to engage young people in arts

Expert advice from a Teesside University academic helped to cement a project aimed at encouraging more young people to get involved in the arts.

The Tees Valley YMCA Young Carers Project, which provides support and guidance to families and young people in Darlington who care for another family member, was invited by the North Durham and South Durham Decorative Fine Art Society (ND & SDDFAS) to get involved in the arts project.

Nicola Tucker, of Tees Valley YMCA, said: 'We jumped at the chance to get our young people involved. And as a staff member is an arts award trainer, we decided to deliver the Bronze Arts Award, so the young carers could also achieve a nationally recognised qualification.'

Young carers involved in the scheme visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where they had guided tour and saw a variety of sculptures, including a totem pole – which inspired the young carers to set about creating their own.

Working alongside artist Janina Emery, from ND & SDDFAS, the young carers devised a 5ft tall elephant design, to be created from cement.

Janina contacted Dr Paul Shelton, Assistant Dean in Teesside University’s School of Science & Engineering, to help offer advice on using cement for the sculpture.

Dr Shelton invited the young carers to Teesside University, to see cement testing in a science laboratory.

He said: 'We were really happy to help the young carers, who were seeking advice on testing the cement to ensure the mixture was correct and to see if it would be suitable to withstand weathering. It helped to enhance their understanding of the whole process involved in creating the cement sections of the sculpture.'

Nicola said: 'It was a great learning experience for the young carers. It helped them to gain a better understanding of the strength and tolerances of cement, and why it was a good material to use for their sculpture. We would we like to send a big thank you to Paul and his team for supporting the young carers, which has enabled them to create a wonderful piece of art which recognises and celebrates the work of the young carers.'

The sculpture, which is now complete, takes pride of place in the YMCA Tees Valley terraced garden in Darlington.

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