Don’t be afraid to be the leader when you need to be – sometimes the security that this gives is just what is needed.
Play from people’s strengths. Use this to build confidence and security. This will be the starting point to make things that are really interesting.
Make sure all your starting points are accessible for everyone. This can be hard work but it’s work that you have to do to make the previous point possible.
Don’t dwell on failure – note what has happened, what can be learnt from what has happened, then move on. Support people to learn that failure is a crucial part of any creative process. That failure is your friend and not your enemy.
Working with young people is a two-way process – you should learn as much from them as they learn from you.
Finding safe ways to push people outside their comfort zone is essential because those are the places where the best work will be made.
Be consistent and structured. Be fair. When things are challenging or difficult young people will value this more than anything else that you do.
Believe in the creative ability of the young people you are working with. They all have the ability to create astonishing and beautiful things.
Working with young people is a privilege and an education. Enjoy the opportunity whilst you have it.
I have an old Leica camera that used to belong to RA Postlethwaite from Kent, possibly dating back to the 1930s.
No relation I suppose?