Young Arts Pottery Workshop

A brilliant sunny day was held in August for another North Bedfordshire Arts Society Young Arts Workshop, this time with Young Carers in Bedford.

It is important to recognise that these children who give so much of their lives in
caring for others (some as young as 4 years) are often overlooked in their community.

Two pottery Young Carers workshops for 4-8 and 9-12 years of age  
were held in Kempston Youth Centre and conducted by one of our member artists, Amanda.

The first wibbly, wobbly, squishy and mushy session for the 4–8-year-olds
(their comments, not mine!) was patting the clay into a ball and then throwing the clay onto the potter’s wheel. Next was the manipulation of the clay into stacks before placing their thumbs into the centre of the clay to make little pots.

The afternoon session was attended by the 9 - 12-year-olds who made Sun Faces as well as using the wheel to make pots. After pressing soft clay into moulds and allowing it to harden, the young people painted their Sun faces in acrylic paints.

A wonderful sensory day was had by all the children who were delighted to express themselves in a safe environment of art and fun with the many snacks on offer!

The Bedford Carers organisation is an unpaid charity supporting at present, over
900 young carers.  Nationally it is estimated that there are two young carers in every classroom in the country.

A big Thank You goes out to our members for their kind contributions to Young Arts in North Bedfordshire which allow us to run these memorable days!

Please click here to see more photos from the workshop.