Implementation

A Deep Dive into Creative Therapy Tools for Youth Work

Riga, Latvia | 3–7 September 2024

This page presents a detailed breakdown of the implementation process of the second international training course of the Erasmus+ KA2 project CREATIYOK—Creative Arts as Therapy Tools in Youth Work, hosted in Riga, Latvia.

Held between September 3rd and 7th, 2024, the training was organized by Young Folks LV and brought together youth workers from Cyprus, Poland, and Latvia. The objective was to equip participants with practical, creative tools in phototherapy, music therapy, movement, and mindfulness—all designed to support emotional expression, inclusion, and youth empowerment through non-formal education.

On this page, you will find a full implementation log of the training course, structured day by day, with:

• A description of each activity and its methodological purpose

• Reflections and insights from facilitators and participants

• Photo documentation and practical resources used

• Details about how each exercise can be transferred into local youth work

This training was designed as a progressive journey—starting with light activities focused on observation and perception and gradually moving toward more introspective, emotional, and intimate exercises. From photography walks to mirror-based movement games, each session built on the previous one, promoting trust, creativity, and personal growth.

Importantly, the methods tested in Latvia were later adapted and implemented by all three partner organizations in their local communities during the project's follow-up phase. These follow-up actions confirmed the transferability and impact of the tools learned in Riga.

This page provides a comprehensive look behind the scenes of how the CREATIYOK training was delivered — from concept to action—offering a valuable resource for youth workers, educators, and trainers who want to use creative arts as a tool for transformation.

Tuesday September 3 – Day 1 

This marks the first day of the second training course of CREATIYOK. After brief reintroductions, meeting replaced participants, and small icebreaking activities, we went through the timetable that is to take place for the next 5 days.

All the participants had a long tour of the youth center that Young Folks LV. The youth center is 2 floors, with colored rooms, where youths take part in numerous different activities. There are art based rooms, movie based rooms and even asian culture based rooms. In the afternoon, we met a youth worker of Young Folks LV, who has a degree in psychology based in photography. She taught the participants important aspects of how to perceive photography, what its interpretations entail, and how youth, often subconsciously use it to say something about themselves. The photography-based activity involved choosing certain images that participants themselves identified with and explained why.

The second step was to make a collage with these images; however, this ultimately continued by, in pairs, discussing the choices and what they represent. For certain participants, it represented a sense of morality; for others it was about the appreciation of one's body. Yet, the important aspect was, through discussions with others, what more could it mean. Photography and selection of photos serves as a medium in sharing more about ourselves. The evening continued with an activity, based on photography, which served as a sort of treasure hunt in the city of Riga. There were two groups, and the activity lasted 2 hours, with us exploring Riga, being guided by an online application. It served as an interesting method in learning about a space's history through a modern lens. Homework for the next day was given, referred to as a PhotoWalk where participants are intended to walk through the streets of Riga, and take photos of things they identify with. An analysis of this will be done on the following day

Wednesday September 4 – Day 2

The second day began with either an individual or group walk around Riga, and we were asked to take photos of things that catch our eye. This was the PhotoWalk homework given to us from the day before. Most significantly however, were the activities based on music therapy. We had with us a music therapist, who brought with us a lot of instruments, that I myself (Bobbie) had certainly not seen before. Participants for the first time saw Kokle, a Latvian plucked string instrument (chordophone).

We used this musical instruments in 3 ways

• To follow each others rhythm in order
• To pass the leadership to others, and to see how each complements the previous participants' rhythm.
• Communication with each other based on music

The last point was the most interesting and definitely the central part of the activity. This was, in pairs, using musical instruments to create a dialogue. It was interesting, as some instruments did not allow for different notes, and some did, so the loudness was important. It was interesting, as some conversations were deemed as chaotic, calm, anxious or even somber. In the afternoon, we had a visit to the Baltic Sea, in the town of Jūrmala, where we continued our PhotoWalk based activities.

Thursday September 5 – Day 3

Continuing our photography based workshops, we finally had the opportunity to use the photos we have been taking for the previous days. The first one was based on Projection, meaning projecting your feelings on the pictures we took. Out of the vast gallery we had on our phones, we selected a few and focused extensively on projecting our own feelings on them. Questions were asked such as why exactly we took the shot the way we did? How exactly does this photo represent our feelings? 

A second exercise based on photography was taking pictures of others in the group while they were unaware of it, with consent of course. This focused on capturing a natural aspect of someone, and how perhaps we perceive them, and how others perceive us. The third focused on finding family portraits. Often associated with how in psychology, kids are asked to draw their family, and how they may place a not-so-loving parent further, or even not in the picture, this activity focused on seeing family dynamics. For some, a recent or even a saved family photo could not be found, yet the bond with friends could be considered quite strong. This is a sensitive activity and yet just as important.

Next was the self portrait, a selfie we took of ourselves to see how we believed we are viewed from others. An interesting exercise was to imagine writing a text, or letter, to a future version of us 10 years from now. How would they perceive us? Would the things we even write make sense to a more grown version of us?

Afterwards, we had a visit to the Museum of illusions in Riga. Here, we were tasked to take a photo of how we believe we would be in 10 years. You may notice, that the activities of the day get exponentially more intimate. This appears to be an important aspect of photography based therapy. To start with how we view something with our eyes, to end up using said eyes to view ourselves quite literally. 

Today we also had music therapy based exercises, both using the body and mirror based movements with others, where one led and another followed, or holding sticks in pairs with just our fingertips. A just as significant activity was using gibberish, to convey a given emotion in pairs. An interesting communication technique, to use ones voice without words.

Lastly, we were given pieces of colored clothed which resembled flowers when squished. We were tasked to do whatever we wanted with them, whether to collect from others, trade, give away. This was an interesting exercise, focusing on intimacy, control, responsibility and more. We did also visit the Museum of Illusions, but its importance was covered on the next day

Friday September 6 – Day 4

The morning we were visited by an existential therapist and doctor, Olga Zubova to learn about some mindfulness terms and exercises. There was a focus on the idea of focusing on the self, and asking questions such as How am I doing right now? There was a focus and importance on being able to turn feelings into words and accept them.

A historical review on the history of the past of mindfulness and meditation was made and we even took part in some of these exercises. Afterwards, we revisited the homework we had in the museum of illusions from the previous day. This wacky museum allowed you to take quite trippy photos, and we used this to focus on what we believe we will look like in 10 years, at least in a metaphorical sense. Some used concepts such as infinite mirrors to represent their growth, and others used invisible mirrors to represent solitude. This homework was discussed and reflected upon before lunch.

In the afternoon, we went back to the music exercises, and this time it focused on using any instruments, to construct a song as a group completely freely. The importance was that whether we understand rhythm, or have any musical knowledge or not, to actually give youth the opportunity to be creative, and let creative juices flow. There was an importance to mention that there was no right or wrong music, and its all just subjective.

The day ended with a visit to the Pharmacy Museum, a cornerstone of Latvian culture. After all, out of the Baltics, it appears that Latvia was the first to have pharmacies, or rather apothecaries, with chemists helping people with all sorts of ailments.

Saturday September 7 – Day 5

The day started with working all together on a video reflecting on the project. This is an important part of the KA2 project, in order to spread the the teachings of these activities further. All Cypriot, Polish and Latvian participants took part in this video in a group effort and was edited by Youth Worker Boghos Avetikian.

After presenting the video, in groups, all of the participants created modified versions of a selected activity in order to also introduce them in their youth work back when they return to their home countries. The Cypriot group focused on a music based activity, while the Polish team focused on a photo based activity. The Latvian group in this case introduced new mindfulness based activities that can be used as icebreakers before either of the two activities. The day ended with a Youthpass ceremony, where each participant received their youthpass certificate for taking part in the training course. Now, all Youth Workers are well prepared to implement these activities during the follow up phase of the project!