Artz Students are usually anything but quiet. In fact, as teachers and facilitators working with a variety of young people on a daily basis, if we had a pound for every time we said “quiet please guys”, “listen up” and “oi, you lot, listen” then well, we probably wouldn’t be in the predicament we are in now, with limited funds to see us through this lockdown period.
Yet, on Tuesday the 5th of May, a group of Artz students took it into their own hands to raise some much needed funds for the Centre by staying QUIET. And we’re not just talking not just talking few minutes worth of shtum. Oh no. A full, 26 hours or no talking, singing, shouting, humming, laughing or any noises of any kind marathon.
A huge total of 34 of our students took part in the challenge, and not only was this bizarre and brilliant event arranged entirely by our students and their parents own initiative, but they raised a whopping £2,030 in the process. What an achievement!
We checked in with students after the event to see how they found it/why it was so important to them. Here is what some of them said:
“The challenge was really hard, but it gave me lots of time to think about stuff – what’s important at this moment in time. I did it because Artz is important to me, and I knew the money raised would really help” – Ben Chane (Senior Student)
“I wanted to do what I could to make sure I have an Artz Centre to get back to!” – Libby Barker Gaskell (Junior Student)
“It was hard to do the silence challenge because I’m usually a chatterbox and I couldn’t talk to my family for a whole 26 hours! But I decided to do this, because Artz is my home, and my family. The Centre has given up a lot of time for me, so I wanted to repay them by giving up something I use a lot (my voice!) and all the donations are going to a good cause, especially in these hard times” – Emily Tomlinson (Senior Student)
“The silence taught me what I can do to be extra creative without speaking, things like painting!” – Liv Reynolds (Senior Student)
“It hives me goosebumps how all the students can just love a place so much, even if there wasn’t a building, the sense of belonging and family atmosphere is all down to the people who go! It‘s such a brilliant little community!” – Elishia Barker-Gaskell (Artz Parent)
“For me, it was the funniest 26 hours EVER!” – Nadine Phillips (Artz Parent)
We cannot thank the students and families involved in this challenge enough, particularly the Thompson tribe for bringing it all together. We are so proud of you all. What a success!
#ArtzFamily #ArtzEnterprise #ArtzSilence #26HoursofQuiet #ArtzEnterprise
