Birmingham Hippodrome Announces Summer Workshops

Birmingham Hippodrome's popular summer workshop for Young Carers returns to the theatre for a phenomenal sixth year from Monday 30 July – Friday 3 August 2012.

The packed week sees over 20 Birmingham youngsters aged 11-18 work with professional artists from the region in a series of workshops based around the themes of summer from popular musical theatre to the pop history. The Young Carers will participate in workshops covering music, dance and drama and will culminate in a sharing performance at Birmingham Hippodrome attended by parents and guests.

 

Amy Martin, Temporary Education Manager, Birmingham Hippodrome said "We are very proud that these summer workshops have become part of Birmingham Hippodrome's annual education programme. These young people face many hardships and, through these workshops, we can provide the opportunity for them to mix with other young carers, have fun and develop."

 

Young Carers are young people from all different backgrounds who look after someone in their family i.e., from an ill parent to young siblings.

 

The students come from two Birmingham organizations: Action for Children is a children's charity that supports and speaks out for the UK's most vulnerable and neglected children and young people. AFC Birmingham Young Carers Project helps the most vulnerable children and young people with significant caring responsibilities by providing them with individual support and breaks from caring; The Spurgeons Young Carers Group who work with local services and community groups to raise awareness of young carers to improve professional knowledge and skills and identify young carers in Birmingham.

 

Pamela Bloor, Service Manager for Action for Children Young Carers said: "We wish to thank Birmingham Hippodrome and The Patrick Trust for providing the most fantastic opportunity for these young carers to perform and achieve, as well as have a much-needed break from caring.   It's truly wonderful to see these young people progress in just a few days, from being nervous and apprehensive to performing on stage together with enthusiasm and confidence in front of friends and family."

Birmingham Hippodrome has been working with Young Carers for five years. The first project took place in 2007 with Cats; 2008 Mary Poppins; 2009 We Will Rock You; 2010 The Sound of Music; 2011 Musicals – Past, Present and Future. 2012 marks the sixth project.

Birmingham Hippodrome Young Carers is kindly funded by The Patrick Trust.