Look Lively Participants Take Part in Screen Printing Project

Look Lively is a Target: Wellbeing project delivered by Young People’s Support Foundation Ltd. (YPSF) in Manchester that works with young people, aged 16 - 25, who are experiencing social and emotional difficulties due to, in the main, homelessness and housing issues.

The aim of this screen printing activity, over 2 days per week for 4 weeks in August, at Nexus Café & Zion Centre, was to host a number of sessions to inspire and educate a number of service users accessing YPSF services, including those from Look Lively. The sessions were run in collaboration with One69a, a creative collective based in Manchester who specialise in screen printing and educational workshops.

During the activity service users explored the “5 steps to wellbeing” and what they meant to the young people taking part. The “5 steps to wellbeing” is a national initiative led by the UK government to promote simple methods, which can be implemented in everyday life to achieve wellbeing. Participants explored this theme using screen printing as a medium to express ideas, opinions and perceptions.

Through hands on learning and experimentation, the project promoted the importance of confidence and self worth gained through creativity. Participants explored ideas, development and nurtured their individuality. The course provided creative practical skills and knowledge to raise aspirations and achievements.

As the group moved through each session, they learnt new skills and techniques and gained the confidence and capability to adapt what they had learnt to their ideas and concepts. In one of the final sessions, the group took part in a t-shirt printing session, which enabled them to take what they had learnt and create something, which they could keep for themselves.

The outcome of this project was a range of screen printed art work created by the young people which has been exhibited at Nexus Art Café, Manchester and is now due to be made into fabric murals to form part of a more permanent exhibition at YPSF.

"I enjoyed doing textiles at school so was really excited about screen printing. I’d never done it before. The best bit of the course was creating my own print for my t-shirt. Lots of order requests have been made by my friends! I found the screen printing process easy to follow and rewarding"
Ashley: YPSF Participant

"All of the participants got a real buzz from designing and printing their own individual t-shirts.The exhibition was a lovely opportunity enabling the participants the chance to share their work in a creative space to the public. All of the participants have mentioned how much they have enjoyed the course, especially working with Sally and Gill who have been great facilitators."
Caroline: Look Lively Project Worker

“Working with the Young People’s Support Foundation to deliver this project was incredibly satisfying. The rapid development in the participants interest and capability was astounding and to be part of something which encourages young people to express themselves creatively was brilliant!”
Sally Gilford, Manchester Creative Education

To find out more about Look Lively visit: http://www.targetwellbeing.org.uk/profile/look_lively

More about Young People’s Support Foundation Ltd.: http://www.ypsf.co.uk/ and Look Lively http://www.ypsf.co.uk/service.asp?id=9

Nexus Art Cafe Website: http://nexusartcafe.com/