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.