Flagz In The Community
ENGAGING FUTURES
The aim of our project was to work with and mentor the young people at Trinity House Community Resource Centre in Rusholme Manchester and Holford Drive Sports Hub in Birmingham by using the hook of Carnival Arts to explore issues within our community, the participants used this opportunity to focus on things that were important to them. Our youth facilitators and mentors helped participants to dig deep to explore the issues that they highlighted but to also come up with positive solutions via creative expression. 
They explored: Identity, Imagination, History, Liberation and Growth. Creative writing, choreography and different creative practice were introduced and used to bring the project to life.
The community and participants families have seen the value of the young people having a creative and reflective environment to work in. The sessions enabled young people to explore their own identities and culture and share this work with families and peers. For many participants life can be uncertain and variable - we therefore focused on how the project could help them grow in confidence, skills, talent and be proud of sharing this within their support networks and to their peers. The project further solidified our position as a positive setting for young people experiencing behavioural difficulties, as we have given young people young people the chance to learn in an environment that is outside their traditional learning settings and meet peers that they can grow up with in the future.
The deeper benefits we hope, are that through positive experiences in activities outside of school, providing alternative safe, fun and creative spaces for young people, that will help them to become more resilient, confident, and happier citizens as they grow up. The change in some of our young people`s behaviour during the project was unprecedented and highlights how positive action and youths led projects can inspire and support change in children`s overall well being.
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It was a great honour working with Tuff Gong and Island Records on hosting the first ever Bob Marley Float at Notting Hill Carnival 2023. In celebrating the launch of the album AFRICA UNITE.
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Flagz Mas Band was established in 2007 with a mission to promote the arts and culture of the Caribbean among Londoners and to support the Diaspora in celebrating the heritage and history on which their presence is founded. The Band is famous for recruiting members from every nationality and ethnicity from the UK and across Europe with its very high standards, attractive costumes and a family of experienced designers, staff and volunteers. With our loyal group of members schooled in the traditions of Carnival, we are extremely receptive to artistic innovations and have participated in the Lord Mayor`s Parade, Thornton Heath festival and Manchester, Huddersfield & Notting Hill Carnival multiple times. We have also been present at the Rotterdam Carnival for the past 4 years. We have been successful on the Notting Hill carnival circuit for over 10 years, starting as a small band with 50 adult members. We now engage over 450 members to participate each year including both adults and children. We are supported by 150 members, staff & volunteers, reaching audiences of over one million people. We have consistently gained awards for our artistic endeavours including costume design, artistic interpretation, presentation and performance of themes. We have achieved 1st place in the Notting Hill Carnival’s Challenge Shield for Best Medium sized band on the road in 2009, 2010, 2011, and again in 2016. In 2017, our Juniors Mas group was awarded second place
JUNIOR MAS PROGRAMME!
Every year the Flagz Mas Band family get together to host an 8-week Junior Mas Summer Programme designed for children and young people aged 5-21 ahead of carnival weekend!
This invaluable opportunity allows young people and teenagers to explore their heritage and develop their creative skills whilst having fun. This year, our Junior Mas programme will provide a safe environment for children and young people to enjoy carnival and also educate them on the cultural history of Notting Hill carnival and traditional carnival art. Participants will have the chance to explore costume and design whilst creating exclusive pieces for the road, experimenting with traditional and contemporary dance routines before showcasing what they have learned in front of the judges at NHC!
We want to make this Carnival weekend one to remember! We’ll be bringing the soca music, the colour and all the vibes to the road in our custom costumes!
Don’t miss out and sign up now!
As part of the Junior Mas programme participants will receive:
· A guaranteed place on the road with the Award Winning Flagz Mas Band for an unforgettable Carnival experience
· 1 Child/ Teens exclusive costume for Carnival Sunday
· Personal ID wristband
· Secure band house with access to changing facilities and toilets
· Face paint, glitter, gems and more!
· Flagz goodie bag including an information pack, carnival essentials, sunscreen and more!
· Security team and qualified stewards with a rope cordon to keep you safe
· Caribbean or Continental breakfast, hot food, snacks, juice and water available all day
· On hand qualified First Aiders and paramedics
· Rest area and toilets on the trucks
· Full videography and photography teams on hand for those special moments throughout the day
To ensure we are as safe as possible while having lots of carnival fun on the road, we do need chaperones and volunteers to help us on the day. So if you`re interested in helping us, please contact us at info@flagzmasband.com