Jessica Collings, from Legacy Trust UK came to work from the Livity offices for an afternoon and writes about her experiences meeting projects and organisations like somewhereto_ and Livity that Legacy Trust UK have funded.
Legacy Trust UK has funded programmes across the UK to create a legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and somewhereto_ is no exception.
As communications and marketing assistant at Legacy Trust UK I spend a lot of time sharing the inspiring news of our projects, which means that I am always coming across great stories about the involvement of young people.
Recently, I’ve been able to get out and about and experience this on the ground. In October I visited a somewhereto_ project in the West Midlands that we were filming for a video case study (to be released soon!). There I met Terence, the West Midlands co-ordinator, and Ophee, a young man who had turned his life around thanks to somewhereto_.
Ophee’s story before somewhereto_ involved getting in trouble and having brushes with the law. Now, he is leading regular football coaching sessions with children at his somewhereto _ space (pitches at a leisure centre) and training for a professional qualification. It was a long day, filming outdoors in the wet and cold, but Ophee was happy to oblige. The positive relationship that he had with Terence was clear to see.
We chose Ophee as an example of the work that our programmes are doing with young people of all backgrounds, up and down the UK. I was also able to visit Blaze in the North West, a Legacy Trust UK project that has helped young people to produce their own festivals and gain real life work experience in the creative industries. The young people I have met have developed a confidence and sense of direction that it is impossible not to admire.
One thing I often hear from our youth orientated programmes is how much the participants value the respect and responsibility they are given by the project co-ordinators. Handing ownership of a project to young people shows faith in their ability and it is a powerful tool.
Today I am visiting Livity HQ, where somewhereto_ calls home. It’s clear to see where this youth leadership angle has come from – it is ingrained in everything they do. In a bustling, bright space (“office” would be a misleading noun), young people are coming and going, creating and informing. I realise that I’ve become an unofficial participant: after all, they’ve just given me somewhereto_blog.
somewhereto_ and young talent takeover the Olympic Park on August 6th
Nothing is impossible with somewhereto_, as illustrated by the photos above. Here are the first group of young talented people we have got to perform in the Olympic Park in London on August 6th - coming down from all across the UK!
Thousands upon thousands of lucky park goers were treated to Olympic glory, British gold, and a buffet of talent keeping them entertained throughout the day - acts including the Mouthy Poets, delivering spoken word brilliance. Lucia Reyes Woodward, band Melonstomp, Anna Leigh and the Kings, Stacey Arthur, Nick Celino and Elli Ingram brought kept the grand park rumbling with back to back musical treats. Hayley Rea and the Aim High Dance Academy crew wowed the crowds coming to and from the Olympic Stadium. And there was even our national yo-yo champion star Krisztian Kalusza throwing up some crowd stopping moves with his tricks; always followed by a few young fans/future yo-yo champions asking ‘How do you that!?’.
Look out for the somewhereto_ young performers, coming to the park on August 11th, September 6th and 9th.
A great boxing gym with fantastic facilities available. The space can be used for practice, events, or even filming a boxing scene for your film! (and lots more!)
Get in touch today to use this space for FREE! If this isn’t what you’re looking for, use our space search to find something that suits you.
somewhereto_ shine on the London 2012 Olympic torch route_
It’s an iconic symbol that will pass within 10 miles of 95 percent of the UK population, on a route that will cover around 8,000 miles, to be carried by 8,000 lucky individuals, through 1,018 places, and over 70 days between May 19th and July 27th.
We’re talking about the unmistakable London 2012 Olympic torch, with The London Organisation Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) setting up a route that promises to touch upon every great corner of our nation from the Shetland Islands to the Channel Islands, from Suffolk coast to Enniskillen, Northern Island.
Check out this wicked video showing parts of the route;
Hayley from Croydon, Kajol from Blackpool, Celeste from East Ham, Torron from Brentford, Jaffer from Blackburn and Shineze from Brixton are all young people who have been a part of somewhereto_ and used unlocked spaces to do great things!
Hayley (pictured bottom right in red) runs the Aim High Dance Academy which teaches over 180 children and adults in the South London area how to street and hip-hop dance. She told us, “Due to the Dance Academy’s success my mum decided to nominate me. I’ve won quite a few awards for my work in my local area, but it was after my mum nominated me to be an official Torch Bearer I got picked by Heart FM radio from many applications for the torch relay”.
Being a Torch Bearer has been an honour ever since the first ever Olympic games in Greece (check out the bottom left picture!), and we are super proud of our six somewhereto_ repping young people who have been picked for holding the torch a part of the way.
If you feel inspired, why not get in touch today so that we can find you a space to pursue YOUR passion?
Needing somewhereto_ DANCE? Wether it’s for rehearsal or performance check it out,
Founded in 1991 Dance City in Newcastle is now one of the pioneering dance organisations in the north east region of England. It’s the perfect place to rehearse and perform your dancing skills. So whether you are interested in ballet, cheerleading, line dancing or hip hop this space is a must for anyone who needs somewhere to dance!
Get in touch with us today to use this space, or inquire about any other spaces you might want to use wether its dance or something entirely different!
Video highlight reel - Unlocking the doors of Westminster Hall, 10 Downing Street, BT Tower, and the Eden Project!
We usually love to show you all the latest spaces across the UK we have on offer for young people - but to get you thinking outside the box about the possibilities with somewhereto_, here’s a little highlight reel of some of the most memorable spaces we’ve unlocked for talented young people so far;
T4 On The Beach
Dancers in Westminster Hall!
The incredible video we made at Downing Street, with a whole bunch of varied talent
Unlocking the BT Tower for animators looking for a break in the industry
And even a dance workshop with the one and only A-Team at The Eden Project (and heres an exclusive interview!)
Check out the rest of our YouTube channel, and get in touch today to find out how you can get involved in, or even create a similar experience to the videos above.
Remember, whatever your passion, we will always find a space that suits YOU.
Discover Trafo…
Trafo is a European website designed specifically for young people, offering them the space to write about the things that are important to them. After creating a profile young people can upload articles and videos about matters that are of interest to them. So if you have something you are dying to shout about, or are passionate about writing, journalism and digital media, then this is the space for you!
Please get in touch now for more details on this space! Or if it isn’t what you’re looking for tell us what you are after.
Looking for somewhereto_ get that break in Journalism or Production? Look no further… especially if you live in Blaenau Gwent in South Wales!
Are you looking for somewhere to showcase your film, animation, music or journalism? 3VTV is a local television channel for the Blaenau Gwent area of south Wales. The internet-based channel shows films made locally, as well as promotional videos for local businesses. It combines professionally-made films with content made by community groups and others in the local area. Make a film, write a blog, create a cartoon, compose a soundtrack, about any topic under the sun – as long as you have a link to Blaenau Gwent or your work does. We’re a local TV channel so we want to reflect what’s going on. If you’re interested in getting involved and live or study in Blaenau Gwent, or you’re willing to make content about or linked to Blaenau Gwent, 3VTV could be just the space you’re looking for. 3VTV is run by the Micro-Broadcasting Centre at the University of Wales, Newport and is part-funded by the Welsh Government.
Time To Celebrate - 600 Spaces are now unlocked for the UK’s 16-25 year olds to use
This is an incredible amount of spaces, and an even more incredible amount of total space. But above that it is a whole load of opportunity. Whatever you’re passionate about, and wherever you are in the UK, somewhereto_ can find a space for you to do what you love.
We are constantly working on unlocking even more spaces for YOU, so get in touch today to see if we can cater to exactly what you are looking for (which is likely!).
Want to start your own design workshop? Or any workshop for that matter? Check out Michael’s story of success which he managed with the help and support of somewhereto_
Michael is a passionate interior and architectural designer and is currently in his final year, studying at Dundee University. His main focus is on participatory design and the exchange of knowledge between users, and wider communities who use the space or building. These discussions take place during ‘event days’, and is an area Michael is basing his final year design upon.
“Throughout my studies I have realised the importance of involving people with the design process. As a result of this I have spent time trying to engage with the users of buildings and spaces to re-design a better or new outcome. This can be a difficult process, which is why I applied to somewhereto_ for a bit of help. Immediately I established a great relationship with icecream architecture and the somewhereto_ team and my ‘event day’ was a great success, allowing me to enjoy myself and provide great experience and knowledge towards my degree. icecream architecture and myself have maintained a great relationship and have made my dreams come true with the chance to work with them.”
Michael approached somewhereto_ asking if it would be possible to help provide a space for one of his ‘event days’. somewhereto_ was fast on the case, offering Michael an opportunity to work with the coordinator in Scotland, the organisation icecream architecture. This way Michael had a chance to gain experience from an existing company working in his chosen field, as well as help put on a real event with real outcomes. Working closely with the icecream architecture team, Michael was able to incorporate his ideas into the event and use the experience as part of his final year project.
Find free spaces near you here, or tell us what kind of space you need here.
