Swan’s Shaddow Group connects and inspires young people through lockdown

At the beginning of 2020 Swan launched the Shaddow Group project for young people living in Laindon. This group, funded by Swan and the Essex Local Delivery Pilot, provides weekly creative workshops for young people at the Laindon Community Centre.

The group had just started to explore how to create music, films and podcasts and choreograph dance routines as lockdown stopped them from meeting for their weekly sessions.

The young people were keen to continue with their workshops, so Swan and the Shaddow Group worked with them to provide weekly online assignments that they could work on from the safety of their home. The young people have since created dance routines, songs and theatrical performances which they have shared with the rest of the group.

Pete Morley-Watts, Interim Executive Director – Operations and Customer Experience from Swan Housing said: 

“It’s been great that, with the help of the Shaddow Group and ELDP we’ve been able to continue during this time. The pandemic has seen many young people suffer from extra anxiety and depression and this group has provided a creative outlet which allows the young people to channel and share their feelings.

The project hasn’t turned out quite as we’d planned, but everyone has worked together to the flexibility to so that the project can continue until everything returns to normal.”

Sam Ofori – Addo, Managing Director, Shaddow Group said 

“Our Hit Films & Hit Music workshops based in Laindon Community Centre proved to be a playful, educational, joy for all involved. We hope to continue.”

Gurnam Kasbia, Essex Local Delivery Pilot Co-ordinator for Basildon, said:

“I think it’s brilliant that the Shaddow Group has made a conscious effort to stay engaged with these young people during lockdown.

We know that the measures put in place to keep people safe during the pandemic can have a significant impact on health and wellbeing. This project has continued to allow the young people to build relationships, stay connected during this period of potential isolation and, crucially, have the space to express themselves.

It is very important to the Essex Local Delivery Pilot that we continue to support and partner with initiatives like this which weave physical activity into the creative arts.”

If you would like more information on the Shaddow Group Project please contact [email protected] or call Swan’s Resident Involvement and Community Development Team on 01277 844242.

Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash