From All of Us, Thank You!
Mon 13 Jul 2026
Careers Options Sessions at JSH on Thursday July 22nd 2026
Wed 29 Jul 2026Carnival Costume Mentoring Programme 2026: Celebrating Creativity, Confidence and Community
Bringing people together through carnival arts, creativity and shared experiences
The Carnival Costume Mentoring Programme has once again demonstrated the power of creativity, collaboration and community connection. Bringing together children, young people, adults and seniors, the programme created opportunities for participants to develop new skills, build confidence, celebrate culture and work together towards a shared community achievement.
The programme culminated in a spectacular performance at the Barking and Dagenham Carnival in Barking Park, where our mentees proudly showcased the costumes they had helped create and performed as part of this much loved community celebration.
Following the carnival, participants came together for the final celebration session to reflect on their experiences, recognise achievements and help shape the future direction of the programme.
Celebrating achievement and personal development
The final session was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the commitment and contribution of every participant. Each mentee received a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of their involvement, dedication and the journey they had undertaken throughout the programme.
The certificates celebrated more than the final carnival performance. They recognised the creativity, teamwork, perseverance and personal development demonstrated by participants throughout the workshops. From learning new skills and overcoming challenges to supporting one another and contributing ideas, every individual played an important role in the success of the programme.
Seeing participants perform with pride at Barking and Dagenham Carnival was a powerful reflection of the confidence, connection and sense of achievement developed through their involvement.
Listening, learning and shaping the future
A key part of the final session was providing participants with the opportunity to share their experiences, reflections and ideas.
Mentees provided valuable feedback on the workshops, creative process and carnival performance, offering important insights that will support the continued development of the Carnival Costume Mentoring Programme for 2027.
Participant voice remains central to the programme, ensuring that those involved have an active role in shaping future activities and experiences. Their suggestions for next year’s carnival costume colour palette, themes for the 2027 Carnival Arts Project and future carnival designs highlighted the imagination, enthusiasm and creativity that participants bring to the programme.
The power of arts, culture and partnership
The final celebration session reflected the wider aims of the programme by creating a space where people could connect, express themselves and celebrate together.
Participants enjoyed an energetic movement session led by Red Fox from Barking and Dagenham Youth Dance, alongside creative activities accompanied by the uplifting sounds of steel pan music provided by The Steel Pan Agency.
These partnerships demonstrate the value of bringing together artists, community organisations and creative practitioners to provide inspiring experiences that encourage participation and celebrate the diversity of Barking and Dagenham.
Creating lasting community impact
The success of the Carnival Costume Mentoring Programme has been made possible through the commitment of our mentors, artists, partners, volunteers and supporters.
Together, we have created opportunities for people of all ages to learn, connect and contribute to a shared cultural experience. The programme continues to demonstrate how carnival arts can be a powerful tool for building confidence, strengthening relationships and bringing communities together.
Looking ahead to Carnival 2027
As we celebrate the achievements of this year’s programme, we are already looking ahead to the next chapter.
The ideas, experiences and feedback shared by our mentees will help shape the development of the 2027 Carnival Costume Mentoring Programme and Carnival Arts Project, ensuring that future participants continue to have opportunities to create, collaborate and celebrate.
Every costume tells a story. Every performance creates a memory. Every participant contributes something unique.
We are incredibly proud of everyone involved and grateful to the partners and supporters who have helped make this journey possible. Together, we look forward to continuing to inspire creativity, celebrate culture and strengthen community connections through Carnival 2027 and beyond.
