In 2024, the Bluecoat received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a pilot Young Blue Room project in which we supported young learning disabled and neurodivergent people to engage with the heritage of our building and arts centre. Working with partners including Sandfield Park School, we held a series of creative projects exploring the history of the Bluecoat as an arts centre. The young artists developed creative skills such as drawing, printmaking and animation and their work was shared with visitors in public exhibitions and events.
In 2025, we received funding from The Health Lottery Foundation that will be used to support the development of Young Blue Room, the Bluecoat's new inclusive arts programme with learning disabled young people aged 14-25.
Throughout the year-long project, we will explore new ways of engaging with young people and their families. There will be 2 strands:
Young Blue Print Club
a monthly creative club for neurodivergent 14-18 year olds exploring skills such as screen printing and supporting young people to make new social connections;
a summer school of 3 full-day creative sessions supporting young people to create their own collection of prints for showcase at the Bluecoat.
Studio Blue Sky
Creative support for learning disabled young people aged 18-25;
Access to our studio with support from our Studio Facilitator;
- Tailored creative support to identify goals, create work and build a portfolio;
- Supported opportunities to explore creative career pathways
We will be sharing information about how to get involved in the project soon.
Join Young Blue Room
We are now seeking expressions of interest from young people who may wish to become the Blue Room artists of the future. If you or someone you support loves being creative, wants to explore their potential and meet new friends get in touch to find out more.
Email: blueroom@thebluecoat.org.uk
Phone: 07549079500
