By Steve Cooke
After a half century of working with young people the closure of VIBE ROCHDALE marks the end of that part of my life.
I look back with immense gratitude for the opportunities I have been given to be a part of the lives of thousands of wonderful young people.
The past decade of Vibe has been the cherry on top of a sumptuous cake!
Here is the content of my closing remarks on the Vibe Legacy Film soon to be released.
As a decade of our VIBE project comes to a close, it’s with feelings of Pride, of Gratitude and of Hope.
Pride in the young people who have engaged with their creativity to turn around their lives.
Young people facing challenges from such as debilitating anxiety and depression, self-harm and self-medication, abuse and bullying, autism and ADHD.
Young people who have developed the confidence, self-belief, communication and social skills - to go on to achieve such as first class honours degrees, masters degrees, successfully follow careers in such as health, social care and the creative arts industry - become loving, caring parents and in addition valued, active members of their community.
Young people who continue to develop, express and share their creativity, for their own pleasure and that of others.
Gratitude for the young people who let us into their lives.
For our wonderful creative artists who have shared their exceptional creative skills with young people - and have given unstinting encouragement and support - enabling and inspiring young people to find and express their voice.
For the organisations who have worked alongside us - including MIND, CAMHS, Early Break and Thrive.
For Rachel McDonald and Charlotte Mitchel from the NHS and Rochdale Borough Council - who believed in our project, fought for us and enabled VIBE to exist.
Hope that many more young people get opportunities to have the Vibe experience - through people and organisations building on our legacy.
Opportunities to work alongside creative artists to enable them to realise their creativity, in their own way and in a supportive and safe environment.
Opportunities that could turn their lives around through the creative arts.
In addition, I shall be publishing an extensive Vibe Impact Report to celebrate the project and highlight the amazing achievements of our young people including links to video and audio recordings as well as hundreds of images of their creativity.
However, I have no intention of retiring! My work with All Across the Arts will continue in print, digitally and across social media.
a team of writers celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing with previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations.
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