Lancashire 2025 believes in the empowerment of young people. Their voices, opinions, hopes and dreams are crucial to ensuring Lancashire’s bid for UK City of Culture 2025 provides the opportunity for young people to set out a positive vision for how they want to improve, diversify and increase the provision of culture in Lancashire, in ways that make sense for them.
The newly launched Lancashire2025.com has a section dedicated to Youth Voices in the ‘Get Involved’ area of the website and there are a number of ways young people aged 16-25 years old, across the county, can now get involved in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Blaze Arts, who support and develop the next generation of creative producers in Lancashire, has been holding focused conversations with 16-25 year olds from diverse youth communities across the county since the beginning of summer and the responses they have received to date have been exciting.
“A ‘Future Perfect Lancashire’ would have extensive job opportunities, support for those struggling with their mental and physical health, more places for people to experience different cultures through food and the arts. Young people could provide unique takes on these issues, giving examples of what the younger generation would like to influence in the world rather than older generations assuming what we want.
“By giving us influence, young people could shape a more accepting, exciting and culturally rich Lancashire through our perspectives and experiences that are unique to us.” Youth Participant
The ‘Your Future City’ online survey period has now been extended – until November 27th 2020 and can be found in the ‘Get involved’ section on Lancashire2025.com
All young people aged 16-25 years old across the county are invited to take part in the survey.
Blaze Arts ‘Your Future City’ focus sessions are also happening on Zoom. These informal, fun discussions are open to individuals or groups in the 16-25 age range with an interest in the future of culture in Lancashire and what that means for them. There are two dates remaining and sign up is easy via the ‘Get Involved’ section on Lancashire2025.com
Tuesday 27th October at 6-7pm
Tuesday 24th November at 6-7pm
“Lancashire used to be the hub of industry and it was bustling, modern and exciting. I’d love to inject some of that lost potential into the county…
“…We have such beautiful areas surrounding us – amazing landscapes, and really edgy spots too. We should celebrate our environment more because it’s so special. I think it’s our job to encourage the community to go out and enjoy our spaces in new ways.” Youth Participant
Lancashire 2025 is committed to ensuring youth voices are represented in Lancashire’s bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025. We thank you in advance for sharing this information with young people across the county to help us achieve this aim.
For more information on how to engage with Lancashire’s bid for City of Culture 2025 visit Lancashire2025.com
