'Our Norfolk' - as seen through the eyes of young people

Mark was commissioned by Norfolk County Council to work with Norfolk Youth Offending Team (NYOT) to create a series of artwork to helps young people give something back.

September 2013' article NCC -   

 - A restorative justice project to support young offenders through art has been celebrated for its role in helping young people pay back their community.  Six young people were involved in the project, creating a series of photomontages to promote Norfolk’s different landscapes.  They created 14 pieces of work, which are now on display at the entrance of County Hall for residents and visitors to enjoy.  They include images of Happisburgh Lighthouse, Thetford Forest, Wymondham and King's Lynn.

James Joyce, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safeguarding Children, has now met with the young people to learn about the project and how it had benefited the young people, as well as the local community.  He said:

“Young people need to be given the opportunity to understand the impact of their actions and make amends - we know that this approach helps to reduce re-offending.  This art project has given these young people something positive to work towards and the chance to really appreciate and contribute to this beautiful county of ours. It is fantastic to see them taking such pride in their work and I am hopeful that the skills they have learnt during this project, along with the support from the YOT, will help them to build positive futures.”

The Norfolk Youth Offending service uses restorative justice throughout its work to give young people the chance to understand the consequences of their crimes, the impact on their victims and the chance to repair some of the damage through work in the community.  Josh, one of the young people involved in the art project, said:

"It was cool, I liked it. I do Art GCSE so this project fitted in with that. I liked going to places like Kings Lynn that I wouldn't have visited on my own."

"Exploring Norfolk with the young people made me see our county from a different perspective, they photographed with enthusiasm, uncovering unfamiliar aspects in places I thought I knew.  The photographs were then developed into extraordinary photomontages that offer a real incite into the creativity and potential of the participants. The support and contributions of NYOT helped strengthen the outcomes."

"I am very proud to be associated with this project, which was very much a collaboration, where all the hard work and achievements of the team is reflected in the quality of the final artworks."

Mark Haywood