Today is International Youth Day, a day to celebrate young people and the issues that matter to them around the world. You might be wondering what the Isle of Wight is doing for its young people. How are we, a 26-mile-wide piece of land, supporting them and their ambitions?
Creative Island, are proud to lead a range of programmes that put young people at the heart of the Island’s creative future. We’re working to make sure every young Island creative knows their future can actually start here.
Let’s start with the slightly bad news, because ending on a good note means we’re always looking forward. The Isle of Wight has an ageing population, and a big part of that is that young people tend to leave the Island around the age of 35, often for work, opportunity or simply a sense that the Island doesn’t have a place for them. This is a risk, as we’re losing an age demographic who could be shaping our future.
Reader, we’re not going to pretend to have all the answers about why. Some leave for university and don’t come back, some do. Some are drawn by mainland salaries and opportunities that feel bigger than what’s on offer here. Some leave for a season and return on their own terms, ready to build something for themselves. The truth is, there’s no single reason, and no survey that’s captured it fully (yet). What we do know is that the Island’s age profile is deepening, and that we’d rather ask the question than ignore it.
At Creative Island, we lead a range of programmes that put young people at the heart of the Island’s cultural life.
At the centre of that right now is CAN YOU HEAR US?, our six-week celebration working with more than fifty organisations across the Island, which has enabled, through empowerment, our Island’s young people. We’ve highlighted a few of our partners whose projects are dedicated to giving opportunities and a voice. Through projects like Songs of Place, an Island-wide music project led by young people, and Listen Up!, a youth voice and filmmaking programme in response to the question: if adults were listening, what would you say? Young Islanders are exploring who they are, where they live and what matters to them. They’re not just taking part. They’re shaping the work itself, and it’s really exciting.
We also run the Isle of Wight Cultural Education Partnership, which connects schools with our creative community through many initiatives, including the annual Future Creative Careers Week. Now in its third year, the programme has seen incredible growth in its mission to inspire the next generation of talent on the Isle of Wight. This year, 2,100+ students were encouraged to get involved with the 80+ workshops delivered by 36 industry professionals. We were pleased to share that 27 educational settings participated across Primary, Secondary, and Post-16 levels.
This is to show young Islanders that a creative career isn’t something you have to leave the Island to find. It can be built right here.
Earlier this year, we caught up with a teacher at Oakfield Primary CE, who said:
“It is so important for our children to have their aspirations broadened, they do not have the cultural capital to enable them to consider a range of different career options such as these. One child, who does not show emotions easily, was caught on camera, relaxed and smiling – this was a joy to see.”
If you don’t know if you know reader, the Isle of Wight is one of the most collaborative places, filled with generous and passionate people. We’re proud to champion the brilliant work of others across the Island. Artswork empowers young people through creativity, from youth-led projects to supporting young creatives into careers. Brave Island is the creative network for young people on the Isle of Wight, providing mentoring, funding and training for young people interested in the creative industries. Network Ryde, the supportive inclusive youth service for young people in school years 7-13 and home-school equivalent. And the Isle of Wight Youth Trust supports the mental health and wellbeing of young Islanders, because creativity and confidence go hand in hand.
We want an Isle of Wight where everyone is encouraged to take part in or engage with cultural activity. The Island is known not just for its heritage and creativity, but as a contemporary, progressive and ambitious place that retains its creative talent. Where young people don’t feel they have to leave to succeed.
Our young people are resilient and eager. And they want, and should have, the opportunity to build an environmentally sustainable cultural and creative sector here on the Island. This Youth Day, we’re celebrating not just what they can achieve, but everything the Island is doing together to help them get there.
