Creative and relational, safe and effective work with childrenThis workshop focuses on creative and relational approaches to running arts and wellbeing groups with children and young people (CYP).

Who is the workshop for?It is suitable both for those  who are just starting to work with CYP or those who have a wealth of experience. The workshop will be useful if you’ve been wondering if there is anything more you could do to support the mental health and wellbeing of the CYP that you work with.

In the workshop we will explore ways of showing up for young people in formal, informal educational, therapeutic and youth work settings and develop an understanding or how to integrate therapeutic practice into the context  where CYP live, learn and play. All our workshops use the arts and creativity to explore and develop ways of working and being with CYP.

We will demonstrate and give you the opportunity to practise creative experiential approaches to integrating therapeutic theory that could help to support the mental health of the CYP you work with. Additionally you will have an opportunity to work with others, share ideas and approaches and to build community.

The 3 facilitators have an extensive background in working with CYP in a range of contexts:

Polly Irvin is an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and tutor on the Child Therapeutic Wellbeing Practice training at IATE ( Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education.) She has worked in a range of settings as a therapist and clinical supervisor including schools, hospitals, charities and in private practice.  She has a theatre background as an actor, director and lecturer and is a co-founder of Orange Collective.

Branwen Lorigan is an artist with experience of working with CYP in primary, secondary schools, universities & in local, nationwide and international community projects and is a co-founder of Orange Collective.

Mike Roe is a Youth worker & CEO of Brighton Youth Centre and has a background in Community based Drugs services. He specialises in associational, informal education for teenagers using a mix of open Youth Work and activities and events including Arts Festivals, Skateboarding, Drama, team games and music.

Aspects of previous Orange Collective workshops that participants enjoyed: 

"The workshop gave informative guidance, thought provoking practice and encouragement of curiosity, all with a sense of playfulness."

‘Learn by doing’, lots of Art exercises, I really loved the ‘little bits of theory’ and having ‘’some of the exercises modelled’’. 

"To learn experientially the value of using creativity therapeutically and introduced me to the attitude, sensitivity and fundamentals of working this way."

"I liked the variety of tasks and that we used sound and movement as well as drawing painting and building"

"I appreciated being shown the ‘the power of just listening"

"The workshop provided an opportunity for reflection and reminders of different ways of holding space."

"I enjoyed Practising skills exchanging ideas and learning together"

"Orange collective workshops create the perfect environment for therapists and artists to come together to create bridges between the two worlds" .’