Brave Island has hit 300 sign ups! This means there’s now over 300 of you using Brave Island, whether that’s taking part in opportunities, reading the blog, or ready to sign up to your first experience. There will be a new opportunity every week this year, so make sure you’re keeping an eye out on all our new posts so you don’t miss out on taking part in anything that interests you! If you have any ideas about what you’d like to see available this year, please get in touch.
We spoke to three young creatives who are signed up to Brave Island about why they use the platform.
Sophie Corry, age 16
What opportunities have you taken part in through Brave Island? What did you enjoy about them?
The Brave Island Programme has given me access to many opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I’ve designed a Christmas card to raise money for the Ventnor foodbank, been a part of the Fringe Review Team and performed as a support artist for poet Rob Auton before his show at the Ventnor Exchange. As a result of my support slot with Rob Auton, I’ve joined the Ventnor Poetry Collective, and now will (fingers crossed!) be performing my own solo show at the Ventnor Fringe this year. None of this would have been possible without Brave Island and the wonderful people at the Ventnor Exchange. Through the opportunities they’ve given me I’ve been able to grow in confidence and as an artist.
Why should other young people sign up to Brave Island?
Through my involvement with Brave Island I’ve been able to take part in so many amazing things. I think that it’s such a brilliant way to meet new people and get a taste of what the creative industry is like. Living on the Island, it’s very easy to feel like there isn’t much of a creative industry locally, or at least that your opportunities to get involved are limited by the swathe of sea between us and the mainland. However, after my experiences with Brave Island and the Exchange, I’ve been able to meet and learn from so many interesting people and artists, and get involved with lots of projects myself. Signing up to Brave Island has opened doors to so many great experiences and really allowed me to grow and develop as an artist. I’d really encourage anyone interested in the arts and the Island’s creative scene to sign up and get involved!
Alex Keyse, age 16
What opportunities have you taken part in through Brave Island? What did you enjoy about them?
My first opportunity with Brave Island dates back to 2021, when I reviewed The Importance of Being Earnest for 2 free tickets. Since then I’ve enjoyed reviewing several shows and plays for them, ranging from open air theatre to indoor satire at local well-established theatres (Sh*t Faced Shakespeare and The Noise Next Door), all the way to stand-up comedy in a cosy and reserved venue just for a few spectators (Rob Auton’s The Crowd Show).
I’ve also been involved in a couple of opportunities to watch shows on the mainland with a group of young people as part of a socialising opportunity. The shows were The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton and the Play that goes wrong at King’s Theatre in Southsea. Furthermore, for 3 days in a row last July I was part of the Fringe Festival review team, watching and writing about various kinds of shows and concerts, interviewing performers and contributing to producing the event’s blog.
I enjoyed every single one of these experiences as they all have in common the fact that they gave me the opportunity to try my hand at writing content, meet new people and understand a bit more about the entertainment industry. I believe all of this to be absolutely priceless for young people, even more when considering it is all financed by Brave Island.
Why should other young people sign up to Brave Island?
I’d suggest young people to sign up to Brave Island to be able to enjoy all their various opportunities and take part in the initiatives they organise, even if acting or the performing arts are not among their main interests. Another reason is to feel a sense of belonging to a platform that can inspire them and give them some tools that may be very useful for the future. These experiences increase your confidence whether in formal occasions or when socialising, helping you to become more outgoing and self confident. Their opportunities are interesting, involving and enriching. I think it is good to test yourself at
different skills and learn while having fun.
Romy Battista, age 23
What opportunities have you taken part in through Brave Island? What did you enjoy about them?
I have been involved in a couple of things with Brave Island. I attended a self employment workshop which really opened my eyes to how easy it is to just take the leap and get started. I really appreciated how insightful the workshop was and I felt comfortable to speak up and ask questions. I have also taken part in an opportunity where they were recording in-stores for artists. I had two of my original songs filmed professionally at Ventnor Exchange with Silas Gregory, it was a great video to add to my portfolio of music. It was lovely to work in a new space for the day, and the whole in environment at Ventnor Exchange was welcoming and enjoyable.
Why should other young people sign up to Brave Island?
Brave Island is such a creative fuelled environment, more young people should sign up as the amount of events and opportunities released to you is something that can’t be missed, and will open up a whole new world for you. It can help build your confidence, skills, and knowledge, as well as helping you meet new people, including friends as well as professionals.
