Memory Boxes, Meaningful Conversations & a Bit of Football Banter – A Look at Last Week’s Youth Session✨

Last Tuesday evening, New Connections came alive with energy, creativity, and thoughtful conversation as we hosted another Youth Session. These evenings are all about giving young people a space where they feel safe, supported, and inspired—and this one truly ticked all the boxes.

Creative Expression Through Arts and Crafts🎨

This week’s theme was Arts and Crafts, and our main activity involved creating personal memory boxes. These aren’t just simple boxes—they’re designed by each participant to hold special mementos, photographs, letters, or small objects that remind them of important moments in their lives.

The room quickly filled with the sounds of scissors cutting, glue sticks popping, and enthusiastic chatter as everyone got stuck into their projects. It was fascinating to see how differently each young person approached their memory box, with lots of experimenting and creative colours being used. What they all had in common was the thought and care that went into making them.

This activity wasn’t just about being creative—it also gave participants a chance to reflect on the things that matter most to them. For some, it was a way of acknowledging achievements or remembering loved ones. For others, it was simply a way to express themselves in a hands-on, artistic way.

Building Emotional Intelligence: The Food and Mood Session😋

Following the creative part of the evening, we transitioned into our Food and Mood segment, a core feature of our sessions designed to support emotional well-being and development. The aim is to create a relaxed and open environment where young people can explore how they’re feeling, learn to articulate their emotions, and build emotional intelligence over time.

Using conversation flashcards and guided prompts, we invited everyone to reflect on their moods, discuss experiences, and ask meaningful questions—both of themselves and each other. This often leads to some surprisingly deep conversations, and last week was no exception.

What began as a gentle exploration of feelings quickly evolved into open, honest dialogue. The group shared thoughts on friendships, family, and personal growth. It was a reminder of just how valuable it is to create spaces where young people feel heard and respected.

And, in true fashion, the evening wrapped up with a bit of light-hearted debate—this time about football loyalties. A conversation about emotions unexpectedly turned into a passionate discussion about Celtic versus Rangers, showing just how seamlessly our sessions move between the serious and the fun.

Join Us❤️

We believe that every young person deserves a place where they can be themselves, try new things, and grow in confidence—and that’s exactly what our Youth Sessions aim to provide. Whether you’re into art, music, discussion, games, or just want to connect with others in a welcoming space, there’s something here for you. Follow this link to register: Registration Form

If you’re interested in joining us, or know someone who might benefit, we’d love to hear from you.