THE DREAM
WHAT ARE WE DOING:
Hosting 10 young people travelling from Ukraine, 10 young people from Ukraine living in Dorset and 10 young people from Dorset in a week long programme of arts and cultural activities - encouraging cross-cultural friendships, creative expression, and solidarity with the use of the creative arts for collective healing. The young Ukrainians will then travel to London for 3 days to meet with Members of Parliament, with other young people from the University College London and present their project work and its purpose, along with Lviv's success and plans as European Youth Capital 2025.
We will support and provide life-changing activities in Bridport, Dorset for all the young people involved but particularly the young Ukrainians who are visiting us, both from across their country and those who are living in Dorset. Knowing young people as we do the empathy and learning opportunities from this work will also enhance local young people’s lives and provide opportunities that are not usually available to them, particularly in rural areas. It will build long term friendships and networks that will benefit everyone participating. Some of the young artists/facilitators working with us now were participants with us 10 years ago and are still part of an ever growing multi-cultural intergenerational supportive network in the UK and across wider Europe. Many have developed fulfilling careers from this work and now are helping and encouraging others younger than themselves.
Francesco Pipparelli Youth Leader Opera Circus/TCFT at the Speed-Friending event at the launch of the Lviv European Youth Capital 2025 in April of this year.
Our purpose is to:
- Deliver trauma-informed care workshops facilitated by experienced practitioners
- Provide safe and supportive outlets for self-expression through music and the creative arts, encouraging dialogue and meaningful conversations
- Empower youth by building confidence and enhancing their leadership and advocacy skills.
- Facilitate the cultural exchange between British, Ukrainian and Refugee young people to build solidarity, create lasting connections, and cultivate a sense of global citizenship.
WHO WILL BENEFIT:
30 young people from Ukraine and Dorset + 10 young artists and project managers and a team, some voluntary, of experienced artists, trauma therapists and an inspired multi-age team of project organisers and caterers. In the long term other young people, their friends, family and communities from both countries who will benefit from the shared learning and be encouraged to participate in future programmes.
WHAT COSTS ARE WE STILL LOOKING TO COVER - FOOD?
The most expensive item in the budget is food. So we are crowdfunding for food costs per person per day.
We would love it if you would choose to fund food for 1 young person or more. It's very specific. We are budgeting £20 per day per young person for 3 meals a day.
We have 30 young people at a cost of £20 per day for 7 days in Dorset. That's a total of £4,200. We then have the 10 young people from Ukraine in London for 4 days + 5 other young people hosting @ £30 per day. That's a total of £1800.
So we aim to raise as much as we can towards these costs of £6000. We have £2000 in our budget so our need is to find £4000 by the 22nd June 2025.
Any additional funds we raise will go into the costs of accommodation and travel.
Please choose to support at least 1 young person's daily meals, or as many meals for as many young people as you possibly can.
THANK YOU
A COMMENT FROM A YOUNG PERSON FROM DORSET WHO WENT TO LVIV
"My take - away from this experience is largely gratitude for the connections made with the young people in Lviv, a resolve to be more proactive in my support for Ukraine and a determination to keep kindness in my heart and actions even in times of struggle." Zoe Cochrane 25 after a visit to Lviv to support the launch of their European Youth Capital 2025. Zoe has been part of TCFT since 2015
Zoe at the speed-friending in Lviv
WHY ARE WE DOING IT:
On being asked what would be the best possible outcome for these young people, they said, " To understand that despite the challenging experience of living in a war, the young people need to feel what normal life is like and to know that at some point they will have a normal life and to give them the power to live."
We have worked for three years with our academic and artist partners in Ukraine on training and learning programmes for trauma informed and trauma attuned care using music and the creative arts.
We will create a week that will inspire and educate, that will inform and transform and help all the young people participating understand the opportunities that are there for them in life and how they can care for themselves and others and fulfil their potential.
"Over time, we’ve come to understand that it’s simply not possible to live in a constant state of emotional distress. So instead, we try to hold onto the things that remind us of joy, even in the smallest forms. Sometimes it’s as simple as having coffee with friends, other times it’s finally getting that bicycle you’ve always dreamed of. We no longer postpone life for “someday.” We try to live in the moment, finding happiness in the little things that bring a sense of normality.
And most importantly, it's about the support we give and receive from loved ones, colleagues, or even strangers, this is what keeps us going. It reminds us that even in the darkest times, we’re not alone."
Solomiya, 22 years old, Lviv
From an interview by youth leader and theatre artist Francesco Pipparelli in Lviv with our team to support the launch of the EYC2025. Francesco has been part of TCFT since 2016
THANK YOU