Blend Youth Arts Event

This year’s Blend Youth Arts Event took place in the fantastic new surroundings of Middleton Arena, and was a great success, involving groups of young people from across the Rochdale Borough.

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. It was also
an opportunity for young people from diff erent areas and communities around Rochdale to come together.

Using art forms such as dance, circus arts, drama, MCing, and film production, the groups had explored issues around healthy relationships and growing up in Rochdale.

One of the showcases was a range of 3-foot-tall birds which had been decorated by 20 different youth groups on the theme of aspirations, including one bird made by Milnrow
Youth Club which included tweeting and the voices of young people talking about their dreams for the future.

Amongst the many talented groups of young people performing and exhibiting work during the day-long celebration were Skylight Youth Circus who entertained audiences with their aerial performance and brilliant juggling, Middleton YIP with their drama based on sexual health issues, Brandon with his fantastic body popping and moon-walking and Keeley who wowed the crowds with her lyrical MCing.

All of the young people who attended had the opportunity to showcase and share their talents and new skills with others, whilst also gaining knowledge and new ideas. The young people who attended the event also took part in the NHS Teen LifeCheck and collected prizes such as Shokk Gym Passes and a Nintendo Wii. Professionals from the Police, Health Promotion, Early Break, HYPe, the Parenting Support Team and the Youth Service were also there to answer any health questions the young people had and to give help and advice.

Blend was developed by Rochdale Borough Youth Service in partnership with Rochdale’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy.