Designing creative care packages to support young people during the pandemic
- Visual design
- Print design
When the COVID-19 pandemic left many young people isolated, Youth First and Spread the Word partnered with us to bring creative opportunities directly to their doors. We designed a printed Activity Workbook and a set of illustrated Games Cards to be included in 1,000 care packages distributed across Lewisham.
Designing material to inspire creativity during challenging times
Working in collaboration with illustrator Olivia Twist, commissioned by Spread the Word, we brought her distinctive visual style into the design of the workbooks and games cards. The goal was to create printed materials that felt engaging, vibrant, and personal. They served as a meaningful alternative to the boredom, anxiety, and digital fatigue that many young people were experiencing.
The resources were made to be accessible offline, offering creative structure and stimulation for those with limited access to screens, reliable internet, or other at-home support. Whether used independently or alongside online sessions, the materials gave young people something to focus on, helping them feel more connected and supported.
Reaching isolated young people with care and creativity
The initiative saw 1,000 care packages distributed to young people across Lewisham. These were designed to reach those identified as most vulnerable, including many who were invited to join small ‘bubble’ groups at local youth clubs during the summer.
In some cases, the packages were delivered directly to the doorsteps of young people who were isolating with family or had limited access to resources and support. For some, they offered far more than entertainment. One senior youth worker described the package and the accompanying online sessions as a lifeline for a young person who had spent the summer confined to a caravan with her family.
Our collaboration with Youth First, Spread the Word, and Olivia Twist gave these young people more than just materials. It offered a moment of creative relief and human connection at a time when both were hard to come by.