Rochdale’s got talent!

Blend 2008

Over 130 young people from across the Rochdale borough attended the Blend 2008 Youth Arts Event.

The aim of Blend was to showcase creative work that had been developed by young people over the past year whilst promoting positive and healthy relationships through the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.

Issues around healthy relationships, peer pressure and bullying were explored with the use of art forms such as dance, circus arts, drama, fashion design, DJing, and Film production. These creative pieces of work were then showcased as part Blend’s stage programme and visual arts exhibition. Alongside the showcases were also graffiti arts workshops and young people’s information stalls.

Ed Kelly, Principal Youth Officer for Rochdale Youth Service said: “The event is a credit to the youth workers and young people involved. It is great to see agencies working together towards improving health and aspirations for the young people across the Borough.

“The talented young people of the Rochdale Borough proved to help make a difference to the community by making everyone aware of the serious issues which were covered throughout the day.”

There were many talented groups of young people performing and exhibiting work during the day-long celebration one of which were the Newbold Girl’s Group, who had done a dance piece based around sexual health issues.

Also the Skylight Youth Circus entertained audiences with their aerial performance and tightrope.

The Langley Rowra Crescent youth group showed off their ‘Birds and Bees’ carnival costumes and healthy relationships banners.

Saxon Hall Youth group exhibited their graffiti artwork based around the perfect partner and healthy relationships.

As the grand finale Paige Martin from Heywood Youth Inclusion Project wowed the crowds with her exceptional voice and dance music.