Welcome to the Twilight Zone 2, where young people in the care system demonstrate their creative skills and talents

Welcome to the Twilight Zone 2, where young people in the care system demonstrate their creative skills and talents

The second Twilight Zone Art exhibition will be launched on Wednesday 6th March at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. The exhibition represents the work of 40 young people, currently living in residential units across Northern Ireland, who took part in a ‘Twilight’ week-long Halloween programme of music, song-writing, film making, writing, painting and crafts, last year. 

Working with the Health and Social Care Board and Trusts, the Public Health Agency (PHA) commissioned Arts Care to deliver an innovative arts-based programme providing intensive support for a group of looked after young people, building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. 

Dr Eddie Rooney, Chief Executive of the Public Health Agency, said: “many young people in care face additional challenges which can impact on their long term health and well-being. The Twilight Zone project showcases the tremendous talent among these young people.

“This exhibition shows the significant role arts can play in motivating young people, building confidence, skills and self-esteem. The work on show is great and I would urge everyone to come to the exhibition and see it for themselves.”

The Twilight Zone artwork and exhibition is part of an action plan focussed on improving the health of children and young people in care. The group includes a number of community and voluntary organisations, eg Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC), who bring the views of the young people to the plans and development. The work supports the Children’s Services Framework and the PHA will build on this arts-based intervention, to improve the health and wellbeing of looked-after children and young people.

Dr Jenny Elliott, Arts Care Chief Executive, reflected that the positive outcomes of the Twilight Zone Project and highlighted the significance of creative engagement and expression in enhancing young people in care’s well-being and sense of self.

Dr Elliott said: “The emotions and feelings of young people are sometimes more authentically accessed and expressed through song, film or an art image than the spoken word.”

One young person who attended the Oh Yeah Centre, a Belfast Twilight location, commented: “I can’t believe how normal I feel here, not odd. I just love singing and I love working on making my voice better.”

Further information

Contact PHA Corporate and Public Affairs: (028) 9055 3663

Notes to the editor

The launch of the Twilight exhibition of various art pieces produced by the young people will take place at 7pm at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast on Wednesday 6th March. The work will be exhibited for one week from this date and the public are encouraged to call and view.