A new project designed to give Swindon’s young people a space of their own is set to launch this weekend, with organisers hoping it will become the first step towards establishing a permanent youth-focused venue in the town centre.
Artsite Youth begins on Saturday 6 June at Swindon Hub and will run for eight weeks, combining creative activities with opportunities for young people to influence the future of youth provision in the town.
Aimed primarily at those aged between 12 and 18, the initiative will offer everything from mural painting and music workshops to zine-making, banner design and street theatre. However, organisers say the project is about far more than arts and crafts.
The long-term ambition is to create a dedicated town centre space shaped by young people themselves.
Leading the project is Casey Hillier, who says the programme has been developed in response to concerns repeatedly raised by young people about the lack of spaces available to them.
“We want this to be an inspiring, welcoming and inclusive space and project for local young people,” she said.
“We know from things young people have already told us during previous projects that there simply aren’t enough spaces or positive things for them to do in the town, and we really want to help change that.”
Each Saturday session will run from 1pm until 5pm at Swindon Hub on The Parade, with participants encouraged not only to take part in activities but also to help shape how the space develops over the coming weeks.
Experienced youth workers will be on hand throughout the project, giving young people opportunities to discuss their ideas, concerns, ambitions and experiences while helping to design future projects and facilities.
Organisers have also launched a dedicated Instagram account, @artsiteyouth, which will be used to promote activities and showcase work created during the programme.
The project is being delivered by Artsite, the long-established Swindon community arts charity celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
It follows a number of previous youth-led initiatives, including the HOPE mural in Swindon town centre, which was created by young people during the Covid pandemic and became a symbol of resilience during a difficult period for many residents.
As part of the programme, participants will also have the option of sharing their experiences of growing up during the pandemic. Organisers hope those conversations may contribute towards improving future public health responses affecting young people.
The project has been funded through a grant from the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation.
However, organisers acknowledge that accessibility remains a challenge.
Swindon Hub’s lift is currently out of service, meaning the upstairs venue cannot currently be fully accessed by everyone. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise the £5,000 required for repairs, with all donations being matched by Zurich Community Trust.
“We’re very sorry we can’t make this a completely accessible and inclusive space at the moment, as this is very important to us,” organisers said.
“The quicker we can get the lift fixed, the quicker the project can become fully accessible and inclusive.”
The wider community is also being invited to support the initiative by donating old magazines for creative workshops or comfortable seating such as bean bags and large cushions to help make the space more welcoming for young people.
At a time when concerns around youth provision and town centre engagement continue to be widely discussed, organisers hope Artsite Youth will provide not only activities and creative opportunities, but a genuine voice for young people in shaping Swindon’s future.
