Through our activities Balik Arts aims to introduce children to the arts, draw
on the cultural wealth of both their home and host countries and facilitate their
settlement in the UK. We provide constructive activities that promote self discovery and
self development and in turn increase attainment levels and self esteem. Most importantly,
we hope that in an increasingly pressurised and demanding society our activities enable
children to have fun! In the future we aim to introduce an international
element to our work with this age group by making links with children’s projects world wide.
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In our work with young people Balik Arts
aims to engage an interest in the arts and
draw on the cultural wealth of both home
and host countries. Activities provide a
unique opportunity for young people to express
themselves through a creative art form at
a time in their life when focus can be very
academic. Information, advice and guidance
are an important feature of services to
this age group in order to facilitate settlement/integration
into the UK. By providing this service we
increase access to further education, training
and employment along with dealing with many
of the issues faced by young people growing
up between two conflicting cultures, for
example peer pressure, substance abuse and
gang culture.
Other Outreach venues
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In the Turkish Kurdish community children do not tend to come without families and
issues affecting the child will affect their family and vice versa. To achieve success
in our work it is essential to establish a relationship with the family as a whole and
win their trust and confidence. In doing this we are more able to effectively encourage
and monitor a child or young person's progress with Balik Arts and beyond. Parents often
find it more difficult to adapt to life in the UK than their children and can be very
excluded from British society. Needs are around parenting issues in a country with unfamiliar
systems, illiteracy in their first language, learning the English language and effective
communication with their children. Balik Arts adopts a holistic approach to these issues by
providing a variety of activities for parents, women (who are often the main carer of children)
and parents and children together.
We run an information and advice project with Genesis Community/Pathmeads Housing Association.
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We have been working closely with several Hackney based Turkish Kurdish groups on the issues faced by community organisations when developing projects for children and young people. This work has included a survey and fundraising information sessions. Originally funded by Hackney CVS we are now continuing with own resources.
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