The Pearl Exchange - A creative educational hub

Why we're doing this

Following the death of Pearl Bamford last year aged just 19, her parents Rose & Johnny felt compelled to help the younger generation of North Cornwall build more positive futures.  Having helped Pearl through her struggles, Johnny and Rose, have experienced first-hand the lack of support, direction and hope for her generation. Her death highlighted to them a pressing need for, a positive, creative place where young adults could meet up, where support and help could be found and inspiring things were happening. Somewhere for the community to come together and support each other.

What we're doing

This October we’re planning to deliver a 1 week creative programme consisting of free workshops and talks to inspire the younger generation of Bude and North Cornwall to launch The Pearl Exchange. We plan to deliver a varied programme of which present young adults aged 18-30 with the opportunity to try out new skills, discuss routes into the industry and expand their cultural and artistic knowledge. Sessions will be delivered in the fields of visual art, print making, fashion, music, dance, theatre, and creative writing.

We will provide a nurturing and collaborative space in which young people can come together to learn, develop creative interests, skills and knowledge. 

Participants will have free access to onsite trained counsellors and therapist to assist with their mental health and resilience. We are converting a shipping container to house the therapy sessions in a safe and private space.

The aim of this intensive week of programming is to give the community something positive and uplifting which also supports young adults in their career pathways. Following the isolation we have all experienced within lockdown, we know that people are desperate to once again take part in community initiatives and activities. We plan for this initial week to help us build momentum and leverage funding for a 2-month intervention which will take place in Spring 2021. All activities will be run in-line with relevant Government guidelines and Covid safety precautions. Should another lockdown occur, we have plans to take this programme fully online.

There has already been a hugely positive response from the public to support the Pearl Exchange. Amazing people in the art and fashion worlds, music and film industries have pledged their time to come and share their knowledge and skills.  

Why are we doing this

Cornwall is in the top 24% most deprived Local Authorities in the UK and in Bude itself 24% of the population have no qualifications (IMD 2019, cornwall.communityinsight.org). As such the area faces many poverty related health and social issues. 

Furthermore, Covid-19 has had a drastic impact on our community and young people are some of the worst affected. Youth unemployment is set to hit the 1 million mark this year and issues around mental health are rising dramatically due to the long periods of isolation and the loss of future prospects. Cornwall already has the 3rd highest suicide rate in the UK and according to the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group the suicide rate has doubled during lockdown. 

Bude is an isolated town which is heavily reliant on tourism, with very little industry or employment opportunities outside of seasonal work. It is also an area with little to no artistic or cultural output or opportunities, meaning young people grow up with no concept of the creative industries or the benefits that come through engaging in creative pursuits. 

It is now more important than ever that we invest in our community, provide practical support and offer young people prospects, aspirations and hope. And we at The Pearl Exchange believe that engagement in the arts is the way to do that.

What we're seeking funding for

Any support you give us will help us to;

• Host an initial 1-week programme consisting of free creative and wellness, educational workshops and talks. The Pearl Exchange community will have the chance to gain skills and experience in the visual arts, music, media, dance, creative writing and much more. All sessions will be totally free to attend.
• Convert a shipping container to provide a private, transportable therapy space.
• Recruit volunteers to join the PE team, to help with all elements of the project over the next six-month period of planning and delivery, gaining hands on practical work experience and skills.
• Provide on-site therapists and councillors to deliver one to one support throughout the programme. Bringing free mental health advice, support and signposting into a community which faces many mental health challenges alongside a hugely oversubscribed statutory service is vital to us.

We believe if we can be forward thinking and invest in the future of young adults now, we’re investing in the future of our community as a whole.

At a time when Covid-19 has stripped away the future possibilities for so many young people The Pearl Exchange is offering them a place to learn new skills, develop new interests and access career pathways which previously seemed unobtainable. In building a creative collective and offering mentoring and guidance from industry professionals The Pearl Exchange aims to rebuild the futures prospects for young people in our community, giving them hope and purpose.

Anything you can share to help us bring this much-needed programme to life would be amazing! 

Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you!