Simon Walters, Strategic
Director of Community and Environment, presented a briefing note
received from Toby Ealden, Zest Theatre, ahead of the meeting.
During the presentation, the following points main points were
noted:
- The briefing note was
intended to update the Committee on the development of Zest
Theatre's work across Lincoln to gather young people's voices and
the delivery of a new youth space for 11-18 year-olds across the
city
- Zest Theatre was an Arts
Council England National Portfolio Organisation and Associate
Artists at Lincoln Arts Centre. Based in Lincoln, Zest Theatre
worked closely with local partners to support the development of
Lincolnshire's Arts and Culture sector
- In 2022, Zest facilitated an
ambitious new research project with approximately 1,500 young
people across Lincoln; nearly 10% of the city's age 10-19
population
- In every setting, space was
made for young people to share their vision for Lincoln's future
and the process concluded in the creation of six maxims that summed
up young people's needs, ideas, and requests
- With a rise in anti-social
behaviour and a growing need to tackle the mental health outcomes
for young people, there was a clear need for the nation to invest
in new youth spaces:
-
- 750 youth centres had closed
nationwide and 4,500 youth workers had been cut since
2011
- Currently, 1 in 6 young
people struggled with a mental health disorder
- In Lincoln, only 8% of young
people felt they were thriving and 72% felt there weren’t
enough spaces for young people
- Meanwhile, there had been a
rise in anti-social behaviour across the city
- Zest successfully secured
£93K funding from The National Lottery Community Fund / DCMS'
Million Hours Fund and another £8K from Lincolnshire Co-Op to
enable the development of ‘The Common Room’
- The Common Room would be set
up in public spaces such as town squares, playing fields, and
community centres and provided a stunning and purpose-built space
for young people that was fully staffed and programmed by the Zest
Theatre and local artists
- Zest supported a co-design
process with young people across the city and built upon previous
research in the design of the brand-new facility. Designs would be
completed by the end of March
- Aspirations were for The
Common Room to be opened for two weeks in the city centre at the
start of the summer holidays in 2024 before touring communities
across the city for the remainder of the summer and the October
half term of 2024
- There would be 8 weeks of
delivery in 2024/25 and 10 weeks in 2025/26 – all focussed on
'fair weather' school holidays. Aspirations were for The Common
Room to tour across all wards over the 2 years of
funding
- The exploration of funding
had resulted in Zest Theatre becoming a national portfolio
organisation with three years of core funding.
The Chair offered thanks to
Simon Walters and welcomed comments and questions from Members of
the Committee. As a result of discussions between Members, the
following points were made: -
Question:
Was The Common Room design a tent or marquee?
Response:
The Common Room would be designed in collaboration with Nick
Crosbie - Product Designer and Architect of the incredible
temporary structures called AirClad. Young people would work with
Nick Crosbie to design The Common Room.
RESOLVED that the update be
noted with thanks.