Today we have a guest blog from Matty. Hope you enjoy reading what he has to tell us about himself and how he has kept himself busy during COVID 19. Here’s what he has to say:
My name is Matty and I’m 20 years old. I’ll be 21 this summer and really hoping I’ll be able to celebrate my big birthday once restrictions are lifted. COVID 19 has been tough for us all and there are so many things we’ve not been able to do. I feel very lucky because I have been kept safe and well by my family and my friends. I live with my Mum, Dad and younger brother. I go to college 3 days a week and am hoping to get a job in the future. I am a huge fan of Tranmere Rovers & Liverpool FC. As a season ticket holder at Tranmere I love going to watch them play at Prenton Park with my Dad and my best friend. I also play basketball for Hoylake Wildcats, enjoy bowling and especially love music and dancing.
I am a member of Wirral’s SEND Youth Voice Group and we have been able to meet up online every week. During a time when we can’t go out or meet up with friends it has meant so much to us to be able to get together.
Before COVID, we met up at Pilgrim Streets Art Theatre in Birkenhead. They have loads of great sessions for young people and I enjoy to dance and also learning about how to run the theatre behind the scenes with lighting and music. I find it is a good way for me to express my feelings in a safe space. The staff are amazing and so supportive. I really look forward to Tuesday nights. We talk, we dance, we share our views and are joined by Sally from the Local Offer. Sally has helped us get the support we’ve needed and made sure that problems we identify as young people with additional needs are addressed.
During COVID, as well as the weekly sessions, Pilgrim Street staff have organised some special online events so we have had things to look forward to. In September we had a weekend long festival called Pilgrimbury, in October we had a Halloween themed Christmas Party where we all performed and dressed up.
In between Christmas and New Year, the staff delivered packs of arts and craft materials so we could enjoy making things. It really made such a difference having fun things to do during lockdown and still being able to see each other.
In January I was asked to meet with Inspectors when they came to Wirral to speak to young people about their experiences during COVID. It was really nice to be listened to and feel that my voice was being heard and mattered. I have made a poster to show all the great things tat have made a really big difference to me during the pandemic.
Thank you again to the brilliant staff at Pilgrim Street Arts Theatre and Wirral’s Local Offer.
Stay safe!
Matty
If you would like to get involved with the sessions at Pilgrim Street you can e mail [email protected]