Inspiration. Word of Mouth is a project that combines the power of the Spoken Word with the power of new digital technologies. It will allow young people to discuss issues and ideas; to express their imagination and creativity; and it will help them on their path towards further education and employment.
Enabling young people to explore their creativity through the constructive use of poetry and creative use of debating skills. This has also enabled young people to get in touch with their inner-self and be at ease sharing and expressing it. The findings will be put together in a magazine and disseminated to the YP involved.
In its two year's of operation Paddington Arts has worked with more than eight schools and organisations, including ReelTalk, its bespoke online magazine programme. In year one alone we worked with 269 young people. 95 of them were between the ages of 11-16yrs, whereas 174 young people were 16+. We have worked with well over 60 young people 'not in education, employment or training' through our project work with Princes Trust and the London Apprenticeship Company. In all of our projects delivered we have enabled more than 75% of participants achieving the required standards having the ability to speak publicly and expressing themselves creatively.
We worked with the Poetry Society and hosted our own Poetry Slam with Joelle Taylor and Chris Preddie OBE - the winner Tamara Lawrance, a student at St Dominics College, in Mount Park, Harrow, put pen to paper after we delivered our Word of Mouth workshops at her school.
In our final year we will be flying solo and hosting our second Paddington Arts Poetry Slam. We are planning an Open Space event to share our learning some time early in 2013. Watch this space.