Fostering Hampshire Children and Hampshire Cultural Trust have been working in partnership to deliver a series of artist-led workshops to children of foster families across Hampshire. Entitled ‘Be the Inspiration’, the project encouraged children and young people in foster families to develop new skills, explore their creativity and take time to express themselves to produce a collection of work for display across the county in a touring exhibition.
Two workshops were supported by Jill Maguire of ‘Jill Maguire Ceramics’, a Hampshire-based artist who has been practising ceramics for 30 years. Jill holds workshops in her garden studio or within the community and school settings across Hampshire.
Cat Cooke, Community Programmes Manager at Hampshire Cultural Trust, says: ‘Jill delivers really high-quality workshops catering for different needs of the young people which create a calm, inclusive, and friendly environment, rich in engagement and everyone makes something to be proud of.’
Carole, a foster carer with Fostering Hampshire Children, attended the ceramics workshop at the New Forest Arts Centre, New Milton, with four children, including three foster children in her care.
Carole says: “The girls absolutely loved it! There was a good range of materials available, and the activity was accessible for all age ranges. All the staff were incredibly helpful and encouraged the children to create something individual and unique to them.”
Carole asked the children what they thought of the workshop:
“The 5-year-old said they liked making shapes.
“The 7-year-old told me they loved doing the pottery and getting messy!
“The 12-year-old really enjoyed being able to choose their own design and all the different things they could make. They chose to make a finger and then painted the fingernail. They loved it!”
It was also a lovely opportunity for foster carers to have a hot drink in the coffee shop and share their experiences while the children created their ceramics.
Carole says: “It was a great opportunity to meet other foster carers – some were old friends, and some are new friends. It was also a lovely opportunity for the children to meet and get to know each other whilst doing something really fun!”
Some of the children chose to make something for their family or friends or their foster carer and these were fired and made available for the children to collect and give to their intended recipients.
“A finger – for Jill. A nose - I made it for my teacher. Tiles - to exhibit. A heart - for my foster carer.”
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Carole is just one of many amazing foster carers supporting the incredible young people in the care of Hampshire County Council. Fostering Hampshire Children is looking for 150 more foster carer households by the end of 2023 to continue to support Hampshire’s most vulnerable children. For more information about becoming a foster carer with Fostering Hampshire Children, please visit the Fostering Hampshire Children website and download an information pack or call the team on 01489 587052 for a chat today.
Venues and dates for the exhibition
Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age
29 April to 4 June
Allen Gallery, Alton
10 June to 23 July 2023
Westbury Manor Museum, Fareham
16 September to 29 October 2023
Forest Arts Centre, New Milton
17 February to 27 March 2024
Further community venues to be confirmed for summer and winter 2023.
https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/event/be-inspiration
https://www.hampshireculture.org.uk/social-impact-young-people/be-inspiration