Agenda item

Councillor Calum Watt, Chair of the Community Leadership Scrutiny Committee, introduced the item with the purpose of the discussion which was to receive an update on the creation of a cultural consortium following a successful award of funding to the University of Lincoln.

The Committee received a collaborative presentation from guest speakers, Toby Ealden, Artistic Director & CEO (Zest Theatre) and Adam Perkins, Participation Co-Ordinator (Zest Theatre). During consideration of the presentation, the following points were noted:

• Zest Theatre existed to make space for young people and to release the voice of a generation
• Mental health figures in young people had risen and 5 pupils in every classroom had a probable mental health issue
• In 2022, Zest Theatre was commissioned to investigate how culture could create a city of the future for young people
• It was important to recognise the political and social awareness that young people had; they understood why people ended up homeless and experienced a lot of trouble
• McDonalds was a common theme as a space for young people to go that was clean and bright
• The research brief included engagement of 1,094 young people throughout the process which resulted in engagement of 8.7% of Lincoln’s population aged 10-19, based on 2018 census data
• The consultation concluded with the creation of six maxims. The themes that arose proceeding to the creation of the Maxims included equality, environment, place, space, relationships, creativity and mental health
• It was agreed that the focus would be on ‘Making Space’ as that would encapsulate many of the thoughts young people discussed
• Areas around the High Street Heritage Action Zone were explored for use, young people designed it and ‘The Zone’ was created
• Money had been received from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery. Funding had also been received from Lincolnshire Co-Op
• 360 hours of The Zone would be delivered and was opened on 17 June 2024
• There had been a week of ‘soft launches’ the week prior to opening with a big launch planned for 19 August 2024
• ‘The Zone’ would move to Sincil Bank for two weeks before it moved to Moreland Centre Car Park
• Airclad was the company that created the structure and gifted the two-year lease. Funding received from the National Lottery would be spent on the project
• The Zone featured an artist, a Playstation, water cooler, a table tennis table outside, reading corner, iPad, display boards and music played inside. Beanbags and wooden blocks could be moved around
• The facility was staffed by a dedicated team that were all artists in their own right
• YMCA and Noise Academy had visited ‘The Zone’. Gentry Barber Shop had paid for two staff members to give free haircuts. Bubble Tea planned to give away free products. Michael from Stokes Coffee had visited to grind coffee with young people
• The Cornhill Market area was a perfect example of local engagement
• Since ‘The Zone’ opened on 17 July 2024, there had been 480 visits in total - 53 a day on average
• Funding would continue until March 2026
• ‘The Zone’ encouraged young people outside of their own communities. Some young people had never visited the Corn Market.

The Chair offered thanks for the presentations from guest speakers and welcomed comments and questions from Members of the Committee. As a result of discussions between Members and speakers, the following points were made: -

Comment: It would be interesting to see if any firms would assist young people to learn skills that had been lacking such as brick laying. Collaborative working with Lincoln College might prove positive.

Response: Conversations regarding the project had taken place with Lindum; some of their leaders were involved in other charitable organisations. Discussions included their events for the future builders and consideration of how the project could fit into that. At present, young people wanted somewhere to chill and relax and that was what was the project offered, led by young people which gave them a space to be creative and artistic. Career paths and aspirations also discussed with young people. The team’s main objective was to sign post young people to the best opportunities that they could have. There was a real mix across the team of experienced individuals.

Comment: It was an incredible undertaking to gain the views of 1000 young people. Led by Toby Ealden’s vision for the project, Historic England agreed and it was amazing to see what the project had become. The project was a journey that had taken place over two years and the work was phenomenal.

Comment: Thanks given to the City of Lincoln Council for the trust instilled in the project of which had been a big piece of work. Core funding as a National Portfolio Organisation could be applied for until March 2027.

Question: There was no youth provision within St Giles. Could the community centre be used there in the future?

Response: The YMCA had space youth workers that had been used within the project on a Wednesday. Collaboration across originations had made the project possible.

Question: What lessons had been extracting from the project and how could things be done differently? Should youth clubs in our communities be recreated?

Response: Youth clubs used to fall under Lincolnshire County Council. Young people needed those spaces. The project had been able to reimagine what those spaces looked like. Young people just wanted a voice to be heard.

Question: Was there scope that the project to be continued beyond 2027 with the provision that was in place? Could it be evolved from that?

Response: Work would be continued until funding was secured. A clearer idea of public spending would be known after the autumn spending review had been announced. There was funding available from Arts Council but it was a possibility that the funding could be removed. It was too soon to speculate what funding would look like.

Question: Was the artwork created by young people going to be displayed anywhere?

Response: Local spaces would be contact to see if the artwork could be displayed somewhere. The artist involved in the project wanted to create t shirts. The purpose of the space was to relax and to empower young people to take ownership.

Comment: St Giles Parish Church would gratefully receive artwork for the church.

Question: What age group engaged the most?

Response: Engagement varied, but the largest age group was 11-18 years of age. A large amount of engagement was from young people within the first three years of secondary school although it was very varied. Young people attended for free but if they wanted to participate in an activity, a parent/career needed to sign forms.

The Chair offered his thanks to guest speakers and officers for all the information provided to Committee and for the remarkable work carried out.

RESOLVED that:

1. Zest Theatre be invited back to Committee in one year for an update on the progression of the project.

2. The content of all presentations be noted with thanks.