New Vic Borderlines has launched a new project to support Ukrainian and Afghan children living in Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and East Cheshire, helping them find security and optimism in the UK and gain confidence, skills and qualifications.

The Brighter Horizons Project is funded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund, and will have three new programmes - Moving Stories, Model Citizens, and Knowing Me and Knowing You, Being Us - ensuring children and young people becoming part of the local community can take steps towards positive and productive futures.

The project will enable children and young people aged 8 - 21 to find security and optimism in the UK, whilst maintaining important cultural connections to their heritage through music, dance, drama, art and storytelling. Participants will be supported through structured workshops to develop and improve language skills and build a sense of well-being, alongside gaining skills and qualifications, including the opportunity to participate in Arts Award activity, providing them with a portfolio of achievement to assist with further education or employment.

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It is hoped participants will ultimately become co-deliverers and peer-led designers of Borderlines’ programmes, working alongside its creative practitioners to develop their own creative practices as trainee creative practitioners and peer-mentors.

Director of New Vic Borderlines Susan Moffat said: “Thanks to this grant from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund, we will be able to help displaced children and young people in our area become a part of the life of our local communities. With our Brighter Horizons Project we will utilise the power of music, dance, drama and storytelling to work with Ukraine and Afghan families to help them find their security and optimism in the UK, gain confidence and develop skills and qualifications that will allow them to take steps towards positive and productive futures.”

For more information about the Brighter Horizons project, including details of how to join the programme, visit newvictheatre.org.uk.