Apr25070 Alternative Provision Trainer & Mentor of the Year 2025 (Midlands): Helen Kenworthy & Best Creative Writing Programme 2025 The partnership between RYTC Creatives CIC (the RYTC) and Education Selection Box (ESB) sees young people throughout the Midlands and beyond empowered through bespoke, engaging learning experiences. Working with a clients such as an NHS trust, schools, and community groups, the innovative approaches these partners take position them as beacons of inclusive, child-centred education. We spoke with Helen Kenworthy, the artistic director of the RYTC and the managing director of ESB, for more. Specialising in everything from the therapeutic arts to creative writing courses for children, the bespoke education and support services delivered by Helen and the teams at these partner businesses are all geared towards one common goal – changing lives creatively. Through activities relating to the creative arts, these partners offer accessible experiences that make learning enjoyable and impactful in equal measure. Helen explained: “We believe that creativity is a powerful tool to support mental health and foster meaningful progress.” Guided by this belief, as well as a set of core values comprising consistency, advocacy, reliability, and enthusiasm, the team design and execute programmes that balance education and emotional wellbeing. Helen continued: “From brainstorming bespoke course content to celebrating each child’s progress in unique and memorable ways, every programme we develop is dynamic, fun, and meaningful.” The creative writing courses offered through the RYTC and ESB are a premier example of this commitment to changing lives creatively, as these sessions end with children holding their own published books. Many of the children who participate in the course have additional needs, resulting in low self-esteem or trouble learning. The teams solve this by opening the courses to all ages and abilities, creating safe spaces where ideas can be nurtured, shared, and turned into tangible progress reminders. This creative writing course, like many of those comprising the RYTC/ESB portfolio, is sometimes offered as part of flexible education initiatives, used to ease children into mainstream schooling. Similarly, they can also comprise crucial elements of education other than at/in school (EOTAS) or homeschooling programmes, as well as build strong foundations for children pursuing performing arts/young speaker courses. By delivering engaging courses that also act as SEN and alternative education support, these partners are not only a lifeline for many, they are also changing the face of education and advocacy in this setting. In their seamless blending of creativity, care, and professionalism, the RYTC and ESB go beyond the provision of child-centred care, supporting entire families and working with them to understand and cater for their unique needs. With the UK – especially parts of the Midlands – experiencing huge pressures when it comes to child education and wellbeing, the work Helen and her teams are doing is more sought after than ever. Mainstream education can be limiting for children with additional needs or mental health conditions, and this is why RYTC and ESB offer welcome alternatives to typical lessons, teaching invaluable skills whilst taking a kinder and more flexible and personalised approach to learning. “Our ability to bridge gaps in education and wellbeing sets us apart, and our focus on joy, creativity, and professional care ensures we remain leaders in this transformative space.” Another instrumental component in the success of these businesses is the partnership they share, which is built on the cornerstones of collaboration, creativity, and a shared passion for what they do. Helen is at the helm of both of these operations, and she credits her opportunity to work with all-round creative Bill Kenwright early on in her career as being instrumental in her decision to pursue her passion of working with children and the arts – with Bill becoming the RYTC theatre patron when it was just a start-up. From these humble beginnings, Helen’s vision has blossomed into something spectacular, with the rest of 2025 set to be a continuation of this for the RYTC and ESB partnership. Plans include expanding its creative writing courses, launching a new therapeutic arts programme, developing an entry-level training platform for the industry, and even piloting a community arts festival to showcase the work of the young people and families both businesses have had the pleasure of working with over the years. Ultimately, by nurturing a transformative impact for children and nurturing positive mental health through the power of creativity, RYTC Creatives CIC and Education Selection Box offer exceptional and artistic alternatives to traditional schooling environments – making both the partnership itself and the women behind it deserving of acclaim. Contact: Helen Kenworthy Company: RYTC Creatives CIC & Education Selection Box Web Address: https://www.rytc.co.uk/ / https://www.educationselectionbox.com/ RYTC Creatives CIC & Education Selection Box
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