Creative YOUCreativity is everywhere. Opportunity is not. We are part of the solution. The secret is in our name. Every year Creative Youth Network gives thousands of young people a taste and thirst for the arts and culture and the joy, life-skills and opportunity they bring. But we want more. Creative YOU is our campaign showcasing how we, you and the engaged, emerging and amazing young creatives we support, come together. We want to reveal how, together, we are ambition, quality, cultural democracy and social mobility in action. Every young person deserves the right to access creativity and development opportunities in the creative and cultural industries. It all starts with education. If all young people have access to creative subjects in school, then talented young people from all backgrounds can pursue their passion, develop crucial skills needed in so many industries and improve their wellbeing. 1. Pledge Add your name and join the many people passionate about bringing creativity back into our schools. With all the pledges we’ll be reaching out to headteachers in Bristol and the South West. We hope this will encourage local academies to give more space to creativity in their curriculum. Bristol, being the creative city we know and love, can pave the way for other regions to do the same, showcasing the true value of creativity. PLEDGE 2. Sign up Join us by signing up to our newsletter where we share best practice of how to support young people. sign up 3. Find out more Join us by reading and sharing our CreativeYOU report which shows how our work brings opportunities for creative expression and enables young people to explore their talent, regardless of background or circumstance. Download our Creative YOU report How are young people dealing with stress? | Stress Awareness Month April is stress awareness month. Stress is a common issue that affects almost everyone. It can manifest in many ways, including physical symptoms such as headaches and fatigue, as well as emotional symptoms like anxiety and depression. Even though we cannot avoid stressful times, there are steps we can take to manage it and prevent it from taking over. We spoke to Izzy, aged 13, about what causes her stress and how she manages it: I get stressed about my school work and homework – making sure it's all done on time. How do you deal with your stress? I deal with all my stress by listening to music and sometimes writing stories and poems. We then asked the young people if they had anyone to talk to about their stress: Yes, there are some people I can talk to – youth workers, school and my parents sometimes. Do you have any tips for other young people who are dealing with the same stressors? My advice for other young people struggling with stress is to talk to a trusted adult and distract your mind from your stress and relax." -Izzy, aged 13 A few tips on dealing with stress: 1. Identify the Source of Your Stress The most vital step in managing your stress is to identify what's causing it. Some common sources of stress include work, financial problems, and health issues. Once you've identified the source of your stress, you can take steps to address it, such as talking about it with a trusted adult, like a youth worker or therapist. 2. Practice Relaxation Techniques Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can be helpful in reducing stress. If you have a hobby that you find relaxes you, then do that! Trying new things such as meditation and mindfulness can help distract you from your stress for a while and help you manage your thoughts. 3. Exercise Regularly Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters and helps to relieve tension in the muscles. You don't have to do intense workouts to get the benefits of exercise. Even a 30-minute walk can help to reduce stress. Getting out and getting fresh air can really help as a break from your stressors, and on the other hand, taking up the gym can be a great way to physically realise your stress . 4. Get Enough Sleep Lack of sleep can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. If you have trouble sleeping, try establishing a bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath or reading a book before bed. There are many great podcasts that are made to help you sleep too. Some sleep podcasts: I can't sleep Podcast Bore you to sleep Anxiety Melt 5. Practice Time Management Feeling overwhelmed with tasks and deadlines can contribute to feelings of stress. Practice time management techniques such as making to-do lists, prioritising tasks, and breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Especially during exam season, revising all your subjects can feel extremely overwhelming, so practicing time management skills like breaking down your studies into bite-size pieces can help you feel like you have control over your studies. Read more about managing your time during exam session here Stress can feel overwhelming and never ending, but it does get better. It often helps to know that you're not alone in what you're going through and that many people are dealing with it too. We offer mental health services and youth clubs just for you to destress and hang out with your friends. Find out more about our services: Find your youth club Mental health support Manage Cookie Preferences How can we help?