Young Makers FAQs

Young Makers are our workshops for learning disabled and/or neurodivergent teenagers.

Who is Young Makers for?

For learning disabled and/or neurodivergent teenagers. age 14-18.

How many blocks are in a year?

We have 4 blocks a year.

Block 1 (Aug-Oct)

Block 2 (Oct-Dec)

Block 3 (Jan-Mar)

Block 4 (Apr-Jun)

How do I sign up?

If you’re interested in taking part, we encourage you to contact Young Makers Co-ordinator Morna McGeoch at learningprojects@citz.co.uk. Morna can organise a trial session or talk through what you might require to thrive when entering the group.

She can provide more information  about the group, available facilities and access.

We have 3 main sign-up opportunities across each year of activity.

• Block 1 (Aug-Oct) on sale in July

• Block 2 (Oct-Dec) on sale in September

• Block 3 (Jan-Mar) and Block 4 (Apr-Jun) on sale in November. For this double block, we offer two payment points across these terms – to encourage commitment, alongside making it financially viable.

Trail sessions can be organised throughout any blocks.

What is a Young Makers session like? 

Each week, we play games, tell stories, and create theatre. It’s a space to make friends, build confidence, and explore creativity.

Sessions take place on Saturday afternoons, 2.30pm-4.30pm.

We have a short welcome pack for participants. This gives information about the group, our facilities and what happens during a session.

Download Young Makers welcome pack

Who runs the Young Makers?

The creative direction of the Youth programme is led by our Catrin Evans, Participate Director. Catrin works closely with the delivery team to map out the activity for each term. She is also the Safeguarding Lead.

Our Programmes Manager, Amanda Glover manages the week-to-week running of the sessions. Amanda makes sure the young people and the practitioners have what they need and are supported to deliver the work to the highest standards.

We understand that those attending Young Makers can also require support around the sessions to ensure they can comfortably attend and get the best out of the project. Young Makers and their grown-ups also have access to Morna McGeoch, who coordinates and offers pastoral support to members. Each week Morna co-leads sessions with Suzie Brady, with additional support from one of Participate’s Creative Assistants.

The group also get the chance to work with creative professionals, including filmmakers, spoken word artists and visual artists.

Will there be an opportunity for grown-ups to see the work?

The last session of each block will always be an opportunity for Young Makers to welcome their friends and family into the space. You will get a chance to engage in and see the work the young people have been doing.

For Block 4, this is a structured sharing, where Young Makers will present a new piece of work. This will be work that they have created or selected to share with their friends and family.