The NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, Koulla Yiasouma, will visit the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry tomorrow to celebrate the work of young people who have created a vibrant new mural as part of a Children in Need funded initiative.
Over the last 12 weeks the Verbal’s Reading Rooms programme has worked with a group of young people in the city through Extern, examining the challenges faced in relation to mental health and how it impacts on emotional well-being.
During each Reading Rooms session the group shared a short story and poem specifically selected to focus on conversation openly discussing how mental health has a huge impact on young people’s lives.
The second stage of the programme had the group work with a team of artists including acclaimed London-based artist Morag Myerscough to create a large-scale piece of temporary art on the wall adjacent to the Verbal Arts Centre.
Her work is characterised by an engaging boldness, creating specific, local responses to each distinct audience that will see and experience the design, using it to create community and build identity.
James Kerr, chief executive of the Verbal Arts Centre, said they were delighted to welcome the NI Children’s Commissioner to celebrate the creativity of the young people involved in the Reading Rooms project.
He added: “It is an honour to have Koulla Yiasouma, the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, visit the Centre on Friday to meet the young people who participated in our Reading Rooms project and examined important issues around mental health and emotional well-being, culminating in the creation of a large-scale temporary artwork.
“We are delighted that the young people also had the opportunity to work with an inspirational team of artists including Morag Myerscough to express their ideas through a vibrant temporary artwork adjacent to the Verbal Arts Centre.”
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.