Rose Benson
Occupation: Young Creatives Art Ambassador, CatStrand
Location: Crossmichael
The Glenkens is alive with arts, music, drama and creativity and at the centre of that is the CatStrand, in New Galloway.
Rose Benson recently took on a position as an Art Ambassador with the Young Creatives at the CatStrand. Rose is a joy to talk to, exuding enthusiasm and a passion for the arts. Speaking with her belies her twenty years of age, and it is easy to think you are speaking with someone much older.
Speaking of the Dramarama group, which is aimed at children up to about twelve years old, Rose says:
“What we do is we play fun, drama-based games…most recently we're working on doing a play, which the children get to act in and also help make decisions in what the story's going to be as well. So it's really, really good fun.”
Acting seems like a perfect fit for Rose, with her natural and comfortable confidence. But how did she get started in this area?
“I've kind of always been involved in drama, ever since I was little, and then sort of helped out a little bit here and there, and now I've been given a more permanent position.”
She pauses and then adds “I partook in their [CatStrand Young Creatives] pantomime, and I really enjoyed that. And to help with the pantomime, I did help run a few workshops with the kids. After that, I was sort of offered the position here.”
Seeing the children interact with Rose during the drama group session, it’s obvious that she loves what she does and that, in turn, the children get great enjoyment out of it. But what was her own childhood like?
“I was born in Leeds, and we moved up in 2008. So I was very, very little. I think I was five. I don't really remember much about where I originally came from. So I feel very much like the Glenkens is my home; very, very much… it's all I've kind of known.”
“What I love about being brought up here is it's a brilliant place if you're into the arts and drama. It's kind of everywhere. And so things like the children's festivals…and when I was very little, I used to come to the CatStrand to do Zumba classes and things like that. And so that part of living here kind of inspired me to do what I'm doing now.”
“I do think it's a really good area to grow up in as a young person. My mum used to come on holiday here, and she absolutely fell in love with it and that's the reason why we're even here in the first place - because she thought this is such a brilliant place to raise children. I had such a lovely childhood. There's so much to do in terms of children's groups, drama groups, art groups, music groups.”
-”Everyone really helps each other out. There's a real community spirit, and I really felt that growing up. Now, as a 20-year old, that's kind of why I like staying here.”
At only twenty years old, what does she imagine for her future?
“In terms of career ambitions and life ambitions…I really do love working with children. I absolutely love it. Ever since I was little I have loved acting and drama. And I love music; I play a little bit of ukulele. And so combining those two things together, like, working with children, and kind of inspiring children in the arts and drama, is something that I've always really enjoyed doing. That's kind of my idea for a career in the future.”
Do you see that being possible for you in the Glenkens?
“Yeah, I definitely feel I can pursue that in this area, particularly with places like the CatStrand. Literally, there's so much here for young people to do. I felt that when we were doing the panto last year for Christmas; all the kids were given an opportunity to shine in their own way, whether it be making sets, doing music, acting and helping with costumes. There's so much to do, and that's just the CatStrand!”
“There's loads of opportunities in the general area to achieve that, yeah.”
uShe has great advice for any younger people who would love to live in, and build a life in, the Glenkens:
“The advice I'd give to someone younger who wants to maybe pursue a career here, I would say that the best thing to do is come with a very open mind. Though it doesn't look like it's busy maybe from the outside, it 100% is.”
“There's plenty going on in these small areas, with the amount of community that there is…it's such a welcoming area. So many people welcome you with open arms and want to help you, in whatever you wish to endeavour. I would say don't worry about intruding or that there's not enough going on. It's plenty busy enough, and everyone's super, super welcoming as well.”
She gives some thought to what it might feel like viewing the area from the outside and trying to understand how to integrate into the community:
“One of the perceived barriers about coming here, and maybe working here, could be that it can seem like a very tight-knit group of people… because everyone knows everybody and their families know everybody… But there is a real passion for helping young people, to achieve what they want to achieve, whether it be in the arts or what have you. “
“And I think if you came here with enough passion for what you wanted to do, people are so welcoming and once you're in, you're in, if you know what I mean…”
“I wouldn't worry about it. It feels like a barrier, but it's not really there… people are very welcoming and happy to have you.”
