We are honoured to have won the Children & Young People Arts and Culture Award 2020 for the Journeys of Destinies and Destinies projects. Journeys of Destiny told the true story of Saad Al-Kassab, a young Syrian refugee. The production toured schools and venues in the East Midlands to Year 6 pupils telling Saad’s story and involving them in learning about resilience and courage in their own lives. The Destinies project continues this work in close partnership with Derbyshire Virtual School, working with young refugees and asylum seekers, and children in care.
Judges praised the way the projects used drama and music to help people understand cultural issues, saying “the passion really comes across”.
We are deeply grateful to the judges for their consideration. We would also like to thank Saad Al-Kassab for sharing his story and his on going support; Craig Christie for the words and music for Journeys of Destiny; Christine Hayward and Kim Johnson from Derbyshire Virtual School; the actors Louis Gaudencio, Yildiz Hussein and Karim Hayada; the young people and teachers from all the schools that took part, and the partners and funders who made it possible:
- Arts Council England
- Derby Theatre
- University of Derby
- Attenborough Arts Centre
- Sinfonia Viva
- Orchestras Live
- Derbyshire County Council
- Foundation Derbyshire
