ALL ABOUT US

Mission Statement:

We aim to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people and to empower, raise confidence and give a voice to them primarily through the creative and performing arts. To support, nurture and raise their aspirations as individuals in order to help them be, not only rounded, contributing adults, but also successful ones.

Freedom Road Creative Arts (FRCA) is a new charity who offer young people in the Hull area workshops in Drama, Dance, Song-writing and Singing. We also have a band - Freedom Road- who perform at venues and conferences nationally and have brought out 2 CD's since it started in 2007.

History:

In 2002 the Rights and Rights and Participation Project, (RAPP), established with the support of Hull City Council and Arts in Health a drama group called the Platform Project. This ran until 2005 and proved to be a creative way of engaging with young people in care and it provided a positive outlet for them to express themselves.

Following work with the KANDU Project from Wiltshire in October 2004, RAPP decided to extend the remit of the drama group to include not only young people in care but young people in need or at risk and by using more art forms.

In late 2005 and in line with the Every Child Matters agenda, Iain Thompson took over as the Creative Coordinator and the Project was renamed Freedom Road Creative Arts and now incorporated workshops in drama, dance and song writing.

By 2007 several performances were performed such as Grease the Musical at NAPA's Studio 2 Theatre and singing group Freedom Road performed at the House of Commons as part of the Wilberforce 2007 Celebrations.

In 2008 Freedom Road Creative Arts was granted charitable status, however it still works very much in partnership with RAPP from whom it still takes its main bulk of referrals . Many of the young people who access the work of the charity have at some point received support and guidance from RAPP and many still do

Check the News section of the website to follow in chronological order the history of Freedom Road Creative Arts, including the many performances, trips and events that have taken place from 2008 to the present day

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VOLUNTEERING: FIRSTLY, WHO ARE WE AND WHAT DO WE DO?

Freedom Road Creative Arts (FRCA) is a charity which offers young people in the Hull area workshops in drama, dance, song-writing and singing.

We aim to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people and to empower, raise confidence and give a voice to them primarily through the creative and performing arts.

FRCA works with children and young people who are in care, at risk or in need. FRCA facilitate the following sessions on a weekly basis:

•Monday Drama (7 - 12 year olds): 5pm - 6.15pm

•Monday B Tech Drama: 6pm - 8pm

•Wednesday Drama (Mixed Ability): 5pm - 6.45pm

•Thursday Musical Theatre (10 - 17 year olds): 5 - 7pm

•Saturday Singing: 11am - 12.30pm & 12.20pm - 2pm

SO WHY VOLUNTEER?

In today’s busy society, it can be hard to think about finding time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous, both to you and the community. Volunteering can help you:

• Meet new people and contacts in the field you may want you work in the future.

• Learn new skills and have opportunities to gain qualifications and accreditations.

• Build your confidence and self esteem.

• Provide you with experience that will add to your CV,
possibly helping you find work in the future.

• Gain employment references.

• Feel good about helping others.

ROLES YOU COULD UNDERTAKE AS A VOLUNTEER FOR FRCA:

Supporting the group sessions: This can include helping young people with their reading of the scripts, learning their lines, listening to them if they are experiencing any issues at home or school and feel they need someone to talk to away from the other young people.

Driving: If you drive, you may feel able to take young people to and from the sessions. The charity has money to be able to pay volunteer expenses so you would get your petrol money back at a competitive rate. This also means you get to support young people who often lack the confidence to get on buses by themselves.

One to One work: This would include working with one or two young people at a time to try and help build their confidence, self esteem or work on issues around behaviour. This could be done in the sessions away from the other young people.

Creating new ideas: We are also open to new ideas you may have in regards to running extra sessions. Maybe you feel you could develop a new session based on a particular skill you have.

Marketing and PR: Fundraising, Branding and press releases.

Arts Awards: You could support the young people in gaining their Arts Awards and you will be trained on how to do this.

Being Creative: If you play an instrument or can sing, you can get involved in the music sessions and teach some young people how to play an instrument.

Each volunteer will have to undertake a two day training course and will have regular personal supervision throughout their time at FRCA.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like some more information please contact:

Lisa Billany, Volunteer coordinator: 07872 587057
or
Ian Bolton, Project Manager: 01482 225855