SEIN Presents… YCSA
Originally published in Issue 2 of the print magazine, members of the team at the Youth Community Support Agency (YCSA), speak to Ruth Cape of the South East Integration Network (SEIN) about projects being offered to young black and minority ethnic people, and their parents and carers, in Pollokshields and Govanhill.
This article was published as a paid-for advertorial in Issue 2. If you want your organisation to be featured in this way, get in touch via hello@greatergovanhill.com
Photos by Alexander Hoyles
“This is a difficult time for everyone,” Paolo says. “We all need to find ways to process what is going on.” Paolo is an art therapist for YCSA’s ‘Healthy Young Minds’ programme which offers counselling and art therapy to young Black and minority ethnic people aged 10-24 and their parents and carers.
Paolo, who recently moved to Glasgow is passionate about helping people express themselves through colours and images. He explains: “I think people can sometimes be put off by the word ‘therapy’, and think they are going to have to talk about all their problems. For me, art therapy is simply about empowering people, and it should be as playful and joyful as possible. You don’t need any artistic skills to benefit from art therapy! And you don’t need a diagnosis – it’s for everyone.”
Paolo’s colleague, Shameem Raza, is offering counselling as part of the programme in order to give a choice of different approaches. “Through both counselling and art therapy”, says Paolo, “we’re primarily offering you space for yourself; and hopefully the ability to develop a better relationship with yourself and the people around you. At the core of art therapy is expressing yourself non-verbally – sometimes you just can’t find the words, so this can be really helpful.”
‘New Tracks’ is another project which is just getting started at YCSA, delivered together with other local organisations; Community Renewal, Govanhill Baths, Urban Roots & Glasgow Life. The project will give young people (12-18) in Govanhill & Pollokshields the opportunity to do a wide range of outdoor activities & follow several youth-award programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the John Muir Award.
Young people will be able to try out bushcraft, outdoor cooking, outdoor art making, and go on expeditions. Sarah Bower, who has recently joined YCSA as a Youth Development Worker explains: “There are such a range of specialisms across all the partner organisations that we can offer a really varied programme through this project – and it will very much be led by what each young person wants and needs to get out of it”. Acknowledging the impact that isolation and remaining inside for long periods of time has had on young people’s wellbeing and mental health, Sarah says: “this project is coming from a place of acknowledging how important outdoor youth work is - always - but particularly at this time.”
For information on Healthy Young Minds Art Therapy & Counselling, contact: PaoloPlotegher@ycsa.org.uk or 07593 771897. For New Tracks, contact: SarahBowers@ycsa.org.uk or 07593 721 991
The South East Integration Network (SEIN) is a network of community groups and organisations working across the south east of Glasgow providing services & activities to promote diversity & support community integration. YCSA is one of SEIN’s 70+ member groups. Meet the rest of SEIN’s members at: seinglasgow.org