Youths in dramatic effort to back bid Kids’ Amdram project shows how lives can change for better
Renfrewshire youths are highlighting the power of drama for the Paisley 2021 bid.
A group of young people from Linwood have put together a showcase to demonstrate how drama can transform lives and boost mental health.
The show – called How Amdram Changed Our Lives – was created by members of Linwood Youth Voice to tell their unique stories since becoming involved in their local amateur dramatics group.
The project received funding from Renfrewshire’s Culture Heritage and Events Fund, designed to boost the area’s creative capacity as part of Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021.
The showcase, which will take place at Paisley Town Hall on Thursday, May 25, features four films made by the young people.
They highlight how effective drama can be in boosting self-belief and confidence and how important it is to tackle barriers to accessing it, such as cost and geography.
The event, which runs from 7pm until 9pm, also includes a play on why mental health has become an important issue for young people, which was also voted as the priority issue for Renfrewshire’s Youth Commission.
Nathan McCuaig, 17, chairperson of Linwood Youth Voice, said that the drama group had helped give confidence to those taking part by allowing them to express themselves and make new friends.
He told: “Most of the members felt their lives had been changed by amateur dramatics and we can’t wait to share all the work we have been doing on the event.
“Mental wellbeing is such a big thing for young people.
“Our show puts a spotlight on why local activities are so important to the health and wellbeing of young people, changing how they think and feel about themselves and getting involved in their community.”
The team behind Linwood Youth Voice are supported by the Renfrewshire Council’s youth services team.
The team already run two thriving groups in the town, CLASS Acts (for eight to 11-year-olds) and LADDS-Linwood Area of Dance Drama and Song for secondary-school-aged pupils.
Paisley 2021 director, Jean Cameron, said that improving young peoples access to activities in the arts is a crucial part of the bid.
She claimed: “We were delighted to support this very worthwhile project through the Culture, Heritage and Events Fund.
“Part of the reason for bidding for UK City of Culture 2021 is that we know culture has the power to make people’s lives better and we want to harness that, now and in the future.
“It is great to see the young people of Linwood are spreading that very message as part of this show.”