Wisdom of Youth was delivered by Community Growth CIC as part of Creative Revolution, a wider creative partnership bringing artists, schools and communities together across Chesterfield.
Supported by Arts Council England, Creative Revolution created opportunities for children and young people to explore creativity, express their ideas and share their work through community pop-up events.
A Chesterfield Creative Revolution Project
The Wisdom of Youth
What can children teach us about emotions, kindness and wellbeing when we give them the space to explore, create and share?
Wisdom of Youth brought creative health into the classroom, using movement, mindfulness, conversation and nature-inspired art to help children explore their emotions, express themselves and connect with others.
We worked with every child in each participating school, creating an inclusive experience where everyone had the opportunity to take part and have their voice heard.
The sessions began with energetic movement and play, giving children the opportunity to notice how their bodies felt. We then moved into mindful breathing and quieter reflection, exploring how different emotions feel, what helps when things become difficult, and how simple acts of kindness can change someone's day.
Using natural materials including leaves, flowers and twigs, children created expressive faces, bringing their feelings and ideas to life through art.
Throughout the process, we listened to the children's own perspectives, discovering thoughtful, imaginative and sometimes surprisingly powerful insights into their emotional worlds.
Wisdom of Youth – A Collaborative Film
From the Classroom to the Community
The children's creativity didn't stop at the classroom door. Their artwork became part of something much bigger.
As part of the wider Creative Revolution programme, Wisdom of Youth artwork travelled to community pop-up events in Barrow Hill and Staveley, where it was celebrated alongside work from local artists, schools and creative organisations.
We were incredibly proud to see the children's artwork and reflections on kindness and wellbeing shared with the wider community. Our marquee became a little gallery of its own, with the children's artwork on display and the collaborative animation playing for visitors to enjoy.
The events were full of creativity and connection. Colourful chalk art spread across the park, Netherthorpe School brought live music to the stage, and poetry came to life through readings and instant poems created on typewriters. Artists, schools and community organisations came together to share their creativity.
One particularly special moment was seeing students from a local school arrive to sell their own artwork. They were taking ownership of their creativity, sharing their talents and showing what it means to feel part of a creative community.
It was a wonderful celebration of young people's voices, creativity and belonging.
Every child's artwork became part of something bigger, brought together in one collaborative animation.
“This has been the best day at school ever!”
- A participating pupil
A Heartfelt Thank You
A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring Wisdom of Youth and the wider Creative Revolution celebrations to life.
To all the children, schools, teachers, families, artists, performers, community groups, organisations, partners, volunteers and individuals who gave their time, energy, creativity and support — thank you for being part of something so special.
Curious to find out more? We’d love to hear from you.
This project has been made possible thanks to funding by
