Done That! View past events that have taken place
Celebration event and premiere of our new documentary film RE:GENERATION
On 11 July we held a special event at Duke of Edinburgh Hotel. We presented to parents, school staff and governors, regeneration agencies, college staff, county councillors and numerous others our research findings and we officially launched our new film.
RE:GENERATION is a documentary made with Signal Films. Students from Furness College have been at the hub of the process: researching, interviewing, writing, filming, editing etc to make sure it's a film that speaks to young people. The film is about what is happening in the town and it's the easiest way for you to see what's happening - it's just 7 minutes long! It's on our website now so have a look and tell us what you think.
Guest speaker Bob Pointing, chief executive of West Lakes Renaissance, spoke about YRAT and the growing influence of the group, plus he presented YRAT Certificates of Achievement to the outgoing Team members.
School roadshows go with a bang
During June and July we invaded every secondary school in Barrow and held an interactive roadshow for Year 10s. It was hectic, but fabulous with everyone joining in with our activities: a map/photo quiz testing geography skills, graffiti wallpaper where everyone wrote what they wanted to see improved in the town, a quiz about regeneration and a big brother style diary room, complete with inflatable chair, where pupils told us their views about Barrow on film.
All this research will be collated by the new YRAT next term and it will inform the research topic in phase 3.
Marina Village consultation
In June we had an exciting invitation to view the two developers proposals for the Marina Village development and then to make comments about the proposals to the stakeholders, including West Lakes Renaissance and Barrow Borough Council. Ken Brodie, a designer from Manchester, talked us through the plans so we understood what we were looking at. Some elements of the plans looked very interesting and would be great for Barrow but we can't give you details as the final decision has not been made yet. We will keep you posted.
Updating our branding with contemporary illustrator Adam Clarke
We decided to further develop our branding by exploiting the paint splodge logo developed by the first YRAT. Adam Clarke specialises in designing funky street artwork and he soon got us creating our own urban style for him to develop into professional posters and other promotional material. The designs were so great we had a new range of mugs made too.
Did you see our collection of cool posters on bus stops outside the townhall this summer?
Making a documentary film about regeneration for young people
We worked with Signal Films to create an informative documentary film that tells you what, when and where new developments are happening in Barrow. Students from Furness College were at the hub of the process: researching, interviewing, writing, filming, editing etc to make sure it's a film that speaks to young people.
Every Creative Child Matters Conference
YRAT was invited to lead a workshop/presentation at the conference in March. 100s of educational specialists attended so we felt honoured to be there. We decided to be unconventional in our method of presentation and wrote and performed a rap to convey our mission and research results - plus we showed our music video.
International rapper Tonn Piper joined us for the day which made sure the rap was sound. Why don't you have a listen to it on the audio page of this site.
Visiting Marsh Street Community Garden for an Update on Progress
Last year we visited the community garden to give our opinions about how the garden could be developed so it would appeal to young people. It was a piece of wasteland then with lots of junk and brambles all over it. This time we saw it almost completely renovated into a wonderful space for the local community.
Graham Bromley showed us round and asked for our views not only about what they had done but also ideas for using the arches under Greengate Bridge. We came up with lots of potential uses including; a youth club, internet cafe, sports club including a mobile climbing wall for in the garden, a nursery for children, a gardening club for older generation and a music club.
Photo Shoot with Rob Fraser for Bullying Comic Strip
We decided it would be helpful to respond to our survey results by putting an interactive quiz on the website-so everyone could get information about bullying issues. Professional photographer Rob Fraser worked with us to stage a series of scenarios that depicted intimidation - see the results in a comic style format on the YOUR REACTION page. It was great fun and we must state that no one actually got hurt during the course of the shoot!
BBC Radio Cumbria interview YRAT in Barrow
Research Trip to Manchester
Research trip to Manchester to examine successful regeneration projects. Led by artist Maddi Nicholson this inspiring visit included iconic buildings, terrace renovations and harbour developments including; the Lowry, Urbis, Imperial War Museum North, Piccadilly Gardens, Chimney Pot Park and Salford Quays.
YRAT report about Manchester research trip
After our visit to Manchester to look at their regeneration projects and some very interesting architecture, we regrouped to discuss what we got from the trip. So here is what we thought;
We liked the youth friendly community spaces such as the square with plenty of benches and a gigantic TV. We also decided, after seeing in Manchester buildings such as The Lowry, that we would like Barrow to have a stronger artistic vision. Chimney Pot Park, we thought, was not ideal for Barrow in some ways, but it was an inspiration to making the quality of housing in some parts of Barrow better. Finally we also found the foot bridge over Manchester Ship Canal to be a really nice piece of architecture and wouldn’t mind something similar thought about being built in Barrow.
However, we did consider the problems with scale, we thought to take some buildings from Manchester and places them in Barrow would look out of place, so we would have to think around this when creating projects based on the Manchester trip.
Matt, Josie and Emily
YRAT discuss port regeneration plans with West Lakes Renaissance project manager
In April we visited the site with project manager Dennis Laird. The waterfront development is one of the largest on England’s west coast. Over £200 million of investment is being made in the area which hopes to bring 1,500 new jobs to Barrow.
The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness Masterplan is a mixture of housing, industrial and leisure developments that will transform Barrow.
It is hoped that Barrow’s national profile will be raised as a great place to live, learn, work and visit.
Planning Workshop with Cumbria County Council Workshop
Planning workshop with Cumbria County Council where we examined, through role play, the process from different groups perspectives.
Website Workshop with Red Abbey
Website workshop with Red Abbey Design: looking into ways we could harness our website to engage more young people in regeneration.
Media Workshop with Beth Broomby
Media workshop with journalist and writer Beth Broomby looking at ways we can further raise our media profile.
Film making
"Last year, the Youth Re:Action Team worked with Northern Riviera Productions to create a short film about what the Team is actually working to achieve and what it is all about. This year's Team is working with Northern Riviera Productions again, and creating a more explanatory section of film, to add to the original version. So we'll be adding to and editing the original footage. They'll be some more explained answers in it and new places too! We'll let you know more at a later date, so byee!"
From Hannah, new YRAT member
Research focus
"We have decided to focus mainly on the theme of safety. After having an in depth discussion, it was realised that most concerns circled the idea of feeling safe in Barrow. After some more meetings we should have a precise idea of what we are going to proceed with and will let you know".
From Josie, Emily and Matt, new YRAT members
Creating a touring exibition
We are working with international photographer Rob Fraser taking photographs, and our creative consultant Jac Scott, to look at issues that concern young people in Barrow. The aim is to create an exhibition that connects with our age group. It will tour schools and youth centres from September. We are looking at things such as leisure facilities, places to do sports, night life, education opportunities like training and higher education and safety in our schools and town centre.
We have already directed Rob to take some great pictures, some of which you can see here. Thanks to the many obliging youths we met around Barrow on 28 April who gave their permission for us to photograph them.
Send us your comments
Film making
During April and May we are making a music video with local film company Northern Riviera Productions. The film will look at regeneration issues in Barrow from our point of view and be in our style. We are also going to create some new music to accompany the film. The film premiere will be in June at the Abbey House Hotel. From September the film will be available for schools and youth groups to show to other young people to spread the word that they have a voice in Barrow.
Marsh Street Projects
We have been keen to work on a live regeneration project and are delighted to announce that we have been asked to work with the Marsh Street Arches Project Team.
The project concerns the renovation of the land immediately to the north and south of Greengate Bridge. This area is considered an eyesore. The local community has campaigned for years to have use of the land and have aspirations to develop a community enterprise delivered from the railway arches at some time in the future. Their first concern however is to take control of the land and provide an amenity area. There is a recognised lack of public green space in this densely populated part of town. Private green space is also in short supply, as the housing is almost entirely terraced style property with yards and back streets, rather than gardens.
The Marsh Street Community Park will see the creation of an easily maintained open space designed to meet the needs of the surrounding community. The Marsh Street Arches Project team has secured a 10 year lease of the land from the council for a peppercorn rent.
Visit to the port with West Lakes Renaissance
On 27 April David Haughian from West Lakes Renaissance took us to the port to examine the site and show us the exciting multi-million pound redevelopment plans.
The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness master plan uses the theme of waterfront development to encourage business investment, with a new 450 berth marina.
A new landmark foot/cycle bridge over the dock will link to the Waterfront Business Park.
Business park
The Business Park is central to the overall master plan and is expected to create over 1,500 new jobs within 10 years including;
- office, research, development and industrial uses,
- general industrial uses
- storage and distribution uses including warehousing.
Cruise ship terminal
A dedicated cruise ship terminal will be created on Walney Channel, reinforcing Barrow as the maritime gateway to the Lake District.
Water sports centre
The waters sports centre will provide for everything from canoeing to sailing and power boat racing. A unique overland boat lift will enable pleasure craft to have 24 hour access to the marina.
Wetland reserve
The use of Cavendish Dock as a reservoir for the adjacent gas-fired power station has elevated mean water temperature within the dock and created an environment of unique ecological interest. Taking full advantage of this phenomenon, the creation of a £2 million wetland reserve around the dock and its margins is planned.
Redevelopment of this site is due to commence summer 2007.
Visit to Furness College Skills Centre
On 27 April we visited the new million pound building at Furness College. This centre is designed to give valuable trade skills training, such as plumbing and electrics, to young people. It hopes to increase employment in the area and help to address the trade skills shortage in south Cumbria.
Interviews at Forum 28
On 28 April a core group of YRAT researchers based themselves at Forum 28 to carry out a series of research interviews. Their respondents ranged from Bob Pointing (Chief Executive of West Lakes Renaissance), and Harry Knowles (Chief Executive of Furness Enterprise) to concerned residents interested in feeding into the consultation on the Marsh Street Garden Project. They had all given up valuable time on a sunny Saturday to come along and make their voices heard by giving their views to us.
Youth Re:Action Team Launch 13 February 2007
Guests included;
West Lakes Renaissance: Bob Pointing and David Haughian
Barrow Borough Council: Steve Warbrick, Phil Huck, Val Holden, Joanne Marwood
Cumbria County Council: Bev Collins and Derek Brook
Creative Partnerships Cumbria: Andy Mortimer and Paul Jenkins
BECP: Mason Minnitt and Catherine Carr
Cumbria Constabulary: PC John Irving
Youth Work in Cumbria: Helen Bunting
Furness College: Mark Nicholson
Head teachers and link staff from Barrow secondary schools
The official launch of the Youth Re:Action Team kicked off at the town hall with a run through and then the t-shirt unveiling! Everyone was impressed with the t-shirts and the team all thought that it instantly made us look the part. Some of the supporters even said that they would not have guessed that we were from different schools - we were all so comfortable with each other.
As the day progressed; the visitors, sponsors and supporters all filed in through the big oak doors and they all sat down while the DVD of our initial get-together played in the background.
Then the presentation began, and Becky and Sarah set it off by welcoming everyone to our venue. Then the rest of the Team were sectioned off into small groups and took it in turns to explain:
- Why we want to do it
- Our goals for the project
- How we are going to do it
- What regeneration means to us
Then the best bit; a carousel workshop enabled the audience to interact with us. They were asked 4 questions as they moved around the tables. Some of the questions were;
What does regeneration mean to you? And How would you support the Youth Re:Action Team?
They came up with some excellent answers.
As the event ended and the visitors left the Team evaluated their presentations and the responses were forwarded to them.
Overall the presentation went well and it is felt that we have a lot of support.
Lindsay Walker Team member
Branding challenge
We decided that it was important that we as a team developed a brand image that Barrow citizens would come to recognise. We had already selected our own name back in November 2006 and now we wanted a creative identity to compliment it.
We wanted posters, promotional cards, T shirts and a website. Working with the Team’s creative consultant, Jac Scott, we engaged Barrow based web design company Red Abbey Web Design Ltd to work up our ideas into professional concepts.
Team member Chris worked with Mac at Red Abbey on a logo and then four team members became the specialised web team to work with Mac on our website.