Over the past ten weeks, young people from YMCA Mansfield have taken part in a powerful creative collaboration with Inspire Youth Arts, culminating in the co-production of an original animated short film that captures what it is really like to live within YMCA supported housing.
Funded by YMCA, the Inspire Youth Arts project was designed to be truly young-person-led – giving residents the space, tools and professional support to develop new skills while sharing their own stories through music, poetry, animation and film.
YMCA Robin Hood Group provides temporary supported accommodation for vulnerable young people and adults across Nottinghamshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire, offering safe, stable housing alongside tailored support to help residents rebuild their lives. Residents are supported to build independence, confidence and life skills – empowering them to move forward with stability, purpose and hope, with sessions and programmes such as these.
From the very first planning meeting, young people were placed at the heart of the project. They were invited to shape the direction of the programme, contribute ideas and decide what they wanted the sessions to look like. Their feedback was clear: this was something they wanted to be part of.
Weekly creative sessions were launched using the studio space at the Old Library in Mansfield and within YMCA’s own media room. Inspire Youth Arts brought together a team of professional artists – Music Producer and Songwriter, Tom Bacon, Poet and Theatre Practitioner, Matt Miller and Digital Visual Artist Natasha Poland – who worked alongside YMCA staff to support and encourage participation, extending invitations across multiple services including adult transit.
The first session welcomed seven young people, who explored turning conversations into poetry and lyrics, while music quickly became a highlight. Tom set up full sound equipment in the media room, with staff actively encouraging engagement across the service. Natasha joined remotely, connecting with young people online to begin the animation process.
Across ten weeks, around ten young people remained positively engaged, collectively creating a five-minute animated film combining original poetry, music, visuals and lived experience. Every element – words, beats, images and narrative – was created by the young people themselves.
One young person’s journey highlights the profound impact of the project. A young woman who had been living at YMCA Mansfield since February 2025 had initially shown little interest in group activities and largely kept to herself. Although she had shared that she was self-taught in keyboard and guitar, regular engagement had been difficult to establish.
“YMCA is a sunny day, everyone calm – despite the madness… I’ve got the best bedroom in the building.” –YMCA Mansfield resident
Three weeks into the Inspire Arts programme, E began dropping into sessions to observe. She soon connected with the music facilitator, began sharing her guitar skills, and quickly impressed peers and staff alike. From there, she developed lyrics, recorded her own track and began attending sessions consistently. Over time, she built friendships, became more present within the service and began looking positively toward her future.
Her transformation has been described by staff as significant – moving from withdrawn and isolated to confident, connected and hopeful – highlighting the life-changing potential of creative, youth-led programmes.
On Wednesday 7 January, the project concluded with a celebratory film premiere and exhibition. Young people’s artwork filled the walls, iPads played their poems and music, and guests were invited to view the animated film – a moving and honest portrayal of what it means to live at YMCA.
This project stands as a powerful example of how creativity, trust and genuine co-production can give young people a voice, build confidence, create community and inspire positive change.
Support from the community is crucial to keeping these efforts going. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, every little bit helps. By coming together and supporting charities like YMCA Robin Hood, we can help make sure everyone has access to shelter, support, and the chance to build a better future.