Youth Leadership Collective

“We come together to call for systematic change. We are Coventry’s next generation of creative leaders. And we believe in hope.” -From the YLC Manifesto 2024 The Youth Leadership Collective are: Ava, Denzel, Isaac, Laaiqah, Lily, Reece, Theo, Yanai, Zeinab.

About the Youth Leadership Collective:

Warwick Arts Centre are thrilled to be delivering a new Youth Leadership Programme in partnership with YMCA Heart of England and Positive Youth Foundation.

The Youth Leadership Collective is an open and creative space for young people aged 15 – 22 to work on shaping their leadership skills while using social activism creatively to call for change.

Visits from groups like CYA (Coventry Youth Activists), and MIND, talks from industry professionals and trips to see evidence of how Young People can make an impact in other organisations will all feed into their learning and development as the young leaders of tomorrow.

With Coventry’s Poet Laureate, John Bernard, as their Creative Mentor, the young people are learning how to amplify their voices to advocate for the creative future of their generation.

Looking towards a hopeful future, the Collective have written a manifesto that explores the call to action: Activate / Assemble / Amplify. Their manifesto will take centre stage in the Mead Gallery from May to June 2024 as the group curate an exhibition that interrogates what the future holds for Coventry’s young people.

This is going to be an interactive exhibition that explores the YLC’s vision for themselves and their city. They are curating a discursive space where ideas spill across the gallery, encouraging dialogue, interaction and responses from visitors.

Activate / Assemble / Amplify will share artworks and performances made throughout the year as part of the Creative Learning Team’s Youth and Schools projects and will extend the ideas prevalent in the works of Francis Offman and Nicole Bachman.

Look out for pop up events programmed by the young people within the exhibition!

Youth Leadership Collective Biographies:

Isaac

Isaac is a 17 year old creative, specialising as an actor and director of music, who also expresses himself through fashion and art.

He has wanted to work creatively since he can remember and is working towards gaining the skill and experience to allow him to work as a multi-medium artist and tell his stories to the world through his work.

He was drawn to the Youth Leadership Collective for the opportunity to collaborate with other minds, and also to learn the leadership skills to help support others in their creative visions.

Yanai

My name is Yanai and I'm a young woman with many dreams and aspirations, one of them being a lash tech and another where I sell and provide wigs and bundles.

These are my aspirations because they are both things that I enjoy and take pride in. I would love for people to see my work and come to me as a young creative person.

I was referred to this programme by the YMCA as they told me it would be a good opportunity for myself. I took the opportunity because I believe they have my best interests at heart and it will help me to complete a Project Management Apprenticeship.

I believe being here will improve my leadership skills and help me towards my future and business plans.

Ava

I'm Ava Daisy and I'm 15 years old. I like learning Spanish and can speak simple words. I like making and sewing clothes for myself to wear. I would like to work in children’s homes in the future as I was inspired to do so by my parents.

I have joined the Youth Leadership Collective as I think it will help me understand more about society and help me figure out how to be myself.

Learning about creativity has brought me closer to the people here and given me new people to talk to about different ideas. It has also been an educational way to find out more about what I want to do when I’m older.

Zeinab

My name is Zeinab and I'm 16 years old. I heard about the Youth Leadership Collective from Positive Youth Foundation and I was intrigued because I thought it would be good to come out of my comfort zone and give myself the opportunity to share my creative ideas with YMCA and Warwick Arts Centre.

I believe that a lot of young people like me carry great ideas that they may be too scared to share, especially without knowing that it could have an impact on society and the next generations to come. I’m passionate about equality and equal opportunities and I’m excited for the youth programme to teach me more.

Laa’iqah

I am Laa’iqah and I’m 21 years old. I found out about the Youth Leadership Collective through the YMCA. I am really passionate about young people having a voice.

This programme has given me the opportunity to join people of a similar age to come together creatively and produce an event that is meaningful to all of us.

My overall ambition for the future is to become a social worker. The YLC has allowed me to work on skills that are very important for my future development.

Reece

My name is Reece, I'm 21 and I enjoy learning about history and politics. I was diagnosed with Autism when I was 12 years old and have struggled with fitting in.

Unfortunately, due to societal pressure, I have been forced to mask my true self. It has gotten to the point where I wear so many masks, I forget who I really am. I hope that the Youth Leadership Collective allows me to express my true self.

Theo

Theo is a 17 year old who faces challenges with his physical disability limiting his walking ability.

Despite that, he pushes forward and doesn’t let those limitations hold him back from what he wants to do and aspires to study graphic design at university.

The Youth Leadership Collective has supported him in increasing his confidence, while also discussing different issues that negatively effect the world today.

Lily

My name is Lily and I’m 15 years old. I like reading and listening to music. The Youth Leadership Programme has helped me to connect and socialise with likeminded people. I want to go to university to become a mental health nurse and I’ve felt supported to build my confidence by coming to this group. The creative leadership skills I have gained through taking part will help me get into university and make my future exciting.