Creative Camp: Designing Confidence and Creativity with Care-Experienced Young People
“Creative Camp showed that when young people are trusted, supported, and given creative tools to explore the world and their place in it, incredible things happen”
At Creative Briefs, we were proud to be one of just four organisations nationally selected to take part in Artful Alliance, a programme led by Blue Cabin and funded by Arts Council England. The aim? To explore how creative practice can support looked-after young people, not just by building skills, but by boosting confidence, motivation and future aspirations.
We partnered with North Yorkshire Virtual School to deliver Creative Camp - a five-day creative programme for 11 young people aged 10 to 14 during February half term 2024.
Using a structured Design Process (from idea to final outcome), we introduced participants to creative tools like podcasting, stop motion animation and digital design. Along the way, they met artists, visited studios and galleries, and discovered how creativity can link directly to real-world careers.
At the heart of the project was one big goal: to show young people how creativity can help them grow – in confidence, skills, and ambition. And it worked.
By the end of the week:
Nine young people achieved a Bronze Arts Award, and one achieved Discover.
Participants presented their work in a celebration event with proud carers, families and Virtual School staff.
Every young person left with new skills, new ideas, and, most importantly, a belief in what they could do and achieve next.
What We Delivered
Day 1 – Artform Knowledge & Understanding
Participants chose creative areas to explore – podcasting, digital animation and stop motion – and immediately began experimenting and creating.
Day 2 – Experience an Arts Event
We visited Scarborough Parcel Office Gallery for a behind-the-scenes tour and artist Q&A, followed by a platter-making workshop at Taylors Restaurant, where Chelsea the chef showed how cooking can be a form of creative expression.
Day 3 – Skill Share
With support from Rebecca Shipham, exhibition designer at Ships & Pigs, the group learned how to communicate their ideas visually and share them with others.
Day 4 – Arts Inspiration (On-Track Day at Askham Bryan College)
Young people explored creative careers through VR and resin-casting workshops, discovering how art, science and technology can come together.
Day 5 – Sharing Day
The young people curated an interactive exhibition and proudly shared their work with parents, carers and Virtual School staff.
Why It Mattered
The impact of Creative Camp went far beyond the creative outcomes. It was about watching young people come alive with confidence, take the lead in their learning, and proudly share what they’d achieved.
“Every night she has come home and doesn’t stop talking about what she is doing… She’s been on the animation programme at home and wanting to show us what she is learning. When you tell us this is the same as a GCSE… she just doesn’t get on with school… so it’s just… well, it’s a relief to know that she can do it.”
– Parent at sharing event
The sharing day was especially powerful. It gave families the chance to hear directly from the young people, not just the facilitators, creating real moments of validation and pride.