The first ‘Change in a Box’ packs, created by Theatre in the Rough Festival and supported by LCR Pride Foundation’s Community Fund, are being distributed across the region.
‘Change in a Box’ is a creative resource to help young people overcome some of the barriers to active citizenship. A technology-free exploration of history, art and social action, the kit contains printed materials, trinkets and creative supplies.
Theatre in the Rough, the organisation behind the initiative was one of the first recipients of grants from LCR Pride Foundation’s £20,000 Community Fund, which was launched in June 2020 for projects supporting the LGBT+ community in the Liverpool City Region.
Using the pack’s resources, young people can learn more about active citizenship through history, experiment with new artistic techniques and materials, and discover ways they can become more involved in their community.
Fifty packs will shortly be on their way to young people across the city region, via groups including Over the Rainbow in St Helens and GYRO LGBTQ+ Youth (YPAS).
Joseph Rynhart, from Theatre in the Rough, said: “We’ve had a great response from groups supporting young LGBT+ people in the city region and we’re really excited to finally be getting these out in Liverpool.”
Andi Herring, CEO and Co-Founder of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “The pandemic has meant that many of the projects funded in 2020 have experienced delays, so it’s great to see these packs now making their way to young people in our region.
“The ‘Change in a Box’ initiative is absolutely fantastic. It acknowledges the extraordinary and often confusing times we are living in and equips young people with the tools they need to stand up, share their experiences and be counted.”
LCR Pride Foundation’s first tranche of funding, allocated in 2020, was supported by Barclays, from reserves initially allocated to deliver the city region’s Pride in Liverpool celebrations, which were cancelled due to the pandemic. The funding was separated into three funds, an Open Fund, Film Fund and an Inclusive Physical Activity and Sport Fund
‘Change in a Box’ was originally commissioned by The Culture Co-Op, in partnership with Lancashire Youth Challenge, Lancaster University, and Curious Minds via the ‘Our Place in the World’ Cultural and Creative Education Partnership.
To find out more about the ‘Change in a Box’ initiative, watch this video or visit http://changebox.me
To watch out for future Community Fund announcements, visit: www.lcrpride.co.uk/fund
