Creative youth network gains momentum
Bristol schools, youth groups & businesses share ideas to realise youth talent
A major development is underway in Bristol to realise the potential of local young people by unlocking their creativity.
On completion in Autumn 2012, the Creative Youth Network’s (formerly the Kingswood Foundation) latest development, its remarkable £5.75million world-class youth hub, will provide an all-inclusive support network for young people in the Bristol community.
This venue, the Station, will boast state of the art facilities, including radio and music studios, a range of workshops and a large performance space.
Special Conference
In a special conference, held at the Watershed on the Bristol Harbourside, local organisations came together to discuss how best the community can use the Station to inspire its young people.
Sandy Hore-Ruthven, Chief Executive of the Creative Youth Network (CYN), opened the conference. He said: “In the current difficult economic environment, the pressures on young people are enormous and they need all the support that we can give them.
“The future of Bristol’s young people is at the forefront of the Station. We want to give every young person the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential, irrespective of challenging or underprivileged backgrounds.”
A Q&A session followed, during which groups were encouraged to perform their questions in tableaux.
Between them the 70 attendees came up with over 20 new ideas for innovative youth projects, which were added to a map of the Station drawn on the floor.
One of the most exciting proposals was to hold a special arts festival to celebrate the launch of this creative hub.
Rachel O’Connor, Programme Director, said: “We wanted to make it clear to the Bristol community that we’re only caretakers of the Station – its facilities, its counselling and advice services, are open to any young person in need of them.
“That was the key message of our conference – this facility is Bristol’s and every young person has a stake in it.”
