A Big Conversation

A youth-led research and development project exploring the value of the arts and creativity in supporting young people with their mental health, wellbeing and happiness.

2022-23

A photo of a young woman with long curly hair wearing a boiler suit and speaking animatedly into a microphone. In front of her are a group of people bathed in pink light, all wearing seethrough ponchos.

About the project

A Big Conversation was a youth-led research project that brought together Lewisham partners Sound Like Chaos, Lewisham Music, Heart N Soul, Lewisham Youth Theatre and the Albany, in our London Borough of Culture year to understand the role arts and creativity play in the mental health of young people. You can find out more about some of their projects below.

Watch the film

Lewisham Music

Front Lines, Young Minds

Lewisham Music creates positive change in young people’s lives through music. Their five-part podcast series, Front Lines, Young Minds dove into the connection between music and young people’s mental health, as well as issues such as the real cost of working in music as a woman. It was created by their team of young producers and features a range of special guests and performances.

You can find out more on the Lewisham Music website.

Listen to the podcast

The Albany and SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS

I'm not okay but...

SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS are a Lewisham based collective of 12-25 year olds, who aim to reimagine the future of the creative industries. They are residents of the Albany.

Marlo and Phoebe, two young artists working with the Albany and SOUNDS LiKE CHAOS, created a podcast series in conversation with their friends and fellow artists. Marlo and Phoebe asked their guests how creativity has supported mental health during critical times.

Listen to the podcast

Alongside the podcast, a report was published on the links between art, creativity and mental health.

Download the report

Quote

Through various creative projects I have been involved in, I have learned to govern and express my emotions, regain my sense of self, and find peace.

Rofeda, Peer Researcher on I'm not okay but...

Two black-and-white portraits side by side. Left: Person with short curly hair in a blazer, sitting thoughtfully with their half behind their head and their knee up. Right: Person with curly hair smiling, chin resting on hands against a checkered wall.

Interview

Interview Take Part

Sit down with 'I'm not okay but...' podcast co-hosts Phoebe and Marlo

Read the interview

Heart n Soul

What Makes You Good?

Heart n Soul is an award-winning creative arts organisation which believes in the power and talent of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Four of their young creatives created a video podcast, What Makes You Good?, developing their confidence and skills in video and podcast production along the way.

Join Ella, David, DJ Sted and DJ Keegs as they explore 'What Makes You Good?’. In each episode Ella and David spoke to guests from the local community, plus artists, musicians and activists and DJ Sted and DJ Keegs provided the tunes to keep everyone feeling good!

Filmed at the Albany, each episode is available on YouTube and Soho Radio.

Lewisham Youth Theatre

How Creativity Empowers Young Voices

Lewisham Youth Theatre brings young people together from across the Lewisham community to create outstanding theatre. For their project they provided training and mentoring to support young people in becoming workshop facilitators, empowering them to use drama to open up conversations around mental health and wellbeing.

Listen to LYT facilitator Subira talking about how creativity empowers young voices in her TED Talk:

Funders and partners