A very special box which could change lives has been delivered to young people in North Lancashire. Change in a Box is a technology-free resource offering a combination of stories, arts and crafts to encourage and enable positive social change.
It is one of four projects to be completed by young people as part of the Our Place In The World cultural and creative education programme run by Lancashire Youth Challenge(LYC), Lancaster District Cultural Education Partnership(Culture Co-op), Lancaster University and Curious Minds.
The project was led by Joseph Rynhart of Lancashire-based Theatre In The Rough with input from six 13 to 19-year-old young people in the Lancaster district.
The teenagers decided on the look of the box and chose the subjects covered in the magazine inside which included Marcus Rashford’s food poverty campaign, Black Lives Matter, climate change, the Suffragettes and the role of the LGBTQ community during the 1984 Miners Strike.
The magazine was then written and edited by education experts, teachers, and professional writers.
It’s hoped that after reading the stories, young people might want to do good in their community so the magazine includes advice and tips on speaking out and learning more too.
The box also contains instructions for five creative activities designed to stimulate the imagination.
Essentially, all the activities and stories can be enjoyed without the need of technology which can be a barrier for some young people.
More than a hundred boxes have been distributed and Lancaster University commissioned a further 200 magazines to go to libraries, community centres and schools. The stories can also be heard by visiting changebox.me/listen.
Lancaster University’s Development Manager (Schools), Nik Marsdin said: "This project offers a unique opportunity to showcase some of the incredible work that young people have designed and taken part in during the Coronavirus lockdown 1. The booklet highlights many of the new skills and activities that children and young people have learnt and taken part in.
We hope this project will shine light on the resilience and adaptability shown by children and young people, focussing on the varied ways in which they learn rather than the perceived learning losses so often talked about."
The project was supported by Curious Minds with funding from Arts Council England and the Crafts Council as part of a wider national venture - #LetsCreate – which delivered more than 60,000 activity packs to vulnerable young people during 2020.
Appeal launched to help save Morecambe sports and social club
Reopening date announced after Morecambe Jobcentre closes for repairs
Lancaster charity urges residents to know how they’re affected by Renters' Rights Act
Lancaster district residents urged to check their details as annual electoral canvass begins
E-bikes and e-scooters seized during police crackdown on Lancaster cycle track
Four vehicles involved in road collision in Carnforth
LISTEN: Popular vlog tells story of couple's second-hand bookshop dream in Morecambe
Emergency team in Silverdale receives donation of life-saving kits
MP offers support to staff after Morecambe FC reported to The Pensions Regulator
Track night at Lancaster sports club to launch police safety scheme for women and girls
PHOTOS: Live music day to raise funds for homeless people in Lancaster hailed as huge success
Former bank turned live music venue in Morecambe to reopen under new management
New parking system set to launch at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
Museum in Lancaster up for award launched by TV historian David Olusoga
MP fights for refunds after Heysham medical centre patients get parking fines in error
Two teenagers arrested after car stolen during Hest Bank burglary
Parents demand further action after health watchdog probe into asbestos complaints at Lancaster school
LISTEN: Lancaster medical students praised for helping man who collapsed
Man arrested on Morecambe beach after report of assault
Police probe burglaries in villages near Carnforth
