aGender works with young people to challenge stereotypes, raise aspirations, and help them to feel good about themselves, their identity and others. We use creative media to open up critical thinking and encourage positive expression.
We believe that young people can thrive when they are unconstrained by stereotypical thinking. By recognising these limitations – which can affect how they see themselves and others – young people are more able to achieve their potential and participate fully in society.
We aim to raise aspirations, and help young people to feel good about themselves, their identity and others, and positively engage with their community.
We involve young people in the planning and delivery of our creative sessions. We are guided by an holistic approach to exploring issues around identity, equality and diversity.
aGender Arts & Education is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (no. 1155447)
Via our creative programmes we aim to increase young people’s self-esteem and empathy, and encourage critical thinking and creativity. We contribute to young people making considered and safer relationship/life choices that exceed the limits of stereotypical expectations.
Our programmes are developed by listening carefully to young people. For example, we have developed an ‘As You Are’ programme with Hastings Adventure Playground young people. The programme uses activities such as puppet making, mural work and performance to encourage 8-12 year olds to look at ways we make judgements about each other and how this hurts all of us.
In the past 10 months 69 young people and 4 young volunteers have benefitted from our work. The majority of the young people we work with are vulnerable/ from minority groups and drawn from areas of Hastings and Rother that rank in the top 10% of deprived locations in the UK (IMD Deprivation Statistics, 2014).
