Mess Up The Mess was recognised for our regular youth theatre and projects. Young people practise a range of creative drama skills, develop their self esteem and confidence, give voice to their opinions and experiences and make new friends in a safe and supportive environment. Many young people go on to take part in productions and join other projects Mess Up The Mess delivers.

One of our alumni Cerian Wilshire-Davies explains:

‘Growing up rurally and working class there was a very few opportunities for young people to engage with anything outside of sports groups and paid classes. Getting involved in Mess Up The Mess offered a free space for me to gain confidence, make friends and engage creatively in ways that I wouldn’t have been able to without them. I participated in countless theatre and arts projects that encouraged me to explore my identity and themes that were important to me and others around me. MUTM also encouraged and offered training for me to develop my facilitation skills through their Peer Leader training and opportunities for me to support in sessions. After graduating I was able to do an internship with them which has led to so many roles in community arts settings. I am now partnered with Mess Up The Mess as a Lead Artist on the Queertawe project. Since joining MUTM as a young person over 15 years ago they have made a huge impact on my life, I wouldn’t be where I am now without them’

Former Mess Up The Mess Youth Arts Officer, Joanne Shackley was also recognised as Facilitator of the Year for her work on our recent Yfory project. Joanne worked with 9 diverse partner organisations across Wales and supported them to produce creative social action projects about what matters to them and their futures.

We are overjoyed and honoured to have been recognised alongside such inspirational organisations, people and projects. Well done to all the nominees and winners including our friends People Speak Up, Taking Flight Theatre Company, UCAN Productions, Owen Thomas and Theatr Na nOg. A huge thank you to Get The Chance for shining a spotlight on to the difference all our organisations make and to Porter’s Cardiff for hosting such a beautiful event.

We were shortlisted in 3 categories of the Cultural Impact Awards:

Community and Education Project Of The Year

Nominees

The Fight Company, Thear na N’Og

Little Gigs Bach, The Little Gigs Team and Cerdd CF, The Cardiff Commitment Curriculum Team

Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company with a focus on the regular Youth Theatre and their projects (Winner)

Facilitator Of The Year

Nominees

Sara Sirati, Ardour Academy, Create & Connect

Steph Bailey Scott, Taking Flight Theatre Company, Taking Flight Youth Theatre/You’ve Got Dragons/Introduction to working Inclusively/Deaf Awareness Training

Joanne Shackley, Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company, The Yfory Project (Winner)

Culture and Health

Nominees

People Speak Up, Creative Home Delivery Service (Winner)

Sara Sirati and Anna Coviello, Ardour Academy LTD, Butterfly Soup

Queertawe artists, staff, partners sand participants, Connect and Flourish project by Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company in partnership with Bethan Marlow, Cerian Wilshire-Davies, Swansea Pride, SwanScene and Swansea Bay Health Board, Queertawe and Queetawe Fringe