“Every Movement Has a Day One - This Is Ours.”
The 'Day One' art exhibition can be found in the central atrium at Crystal Peaks until the end of August.
The prints you see in the display are a result of a 12-month project with the Youth Voice & Influence Service, which is part of Sheffield City Council’s Community Youth Services and My Pockets. A group of eighteen young people aged 11 – 22 years old, have been talking about climate change and creating art together. They consulted with young people from twenty Youth Clubs, and Youth Voice Groups, to showcase what Climate Change means to young people living in Sheffield.
These conversations have been open, honest and full of thoughts and ideas. They have included many different points of view, perspectives and life experiences. Young people supported one another in difficult conversations, embracing the idea that there are no right answers. Everyone has been able to talk and everyone has listened to each other.
As a result of months of hard work, workshops, creative activities and conversations, the young people have created these screen prints. Working together to design, draw and screen print them by hand in youth clubs and workshops all over our city; with the support of Sheffield Hallam University and The Sheffield College sharing their workspaces with the group.
Collaboration has been at the heart of this project. The prints don’t belong to just one young person, they’re a combination of different people’s ideas, drawings and printing. One of the take aways from this project is that young people see collaboration and working together in communities as one of the solutions to climate change.
The project group have created a collection of prints that explore many different aspects and impacts of climate change. The prints show how climate change intersects all aspect of young people’s lives. It's not just about saving the bees, it’s about the clothes young people buy, the food they eat with their friends, the homes they live in with their families, their dreams and aspirations and how they manage their health, wellbeing and disabilities.
“This project is very raw and shows the impact that all of us can have when we work together. Rather than being a perfect film or poster. This is a collection of emotion and collaboration, which will hopefully resonate with people more” – the Day One Group
The project group and the Youth Voice & Influence Service would like to thank the following people who made this project come to life; My Pockets, Sustainability and Climate Change team at Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam University, The Sheffield College, The Art House, Mantra Media and a special thanks to all the young people, their friends and families and Youth Workers at Sheffield City Council’s Youth Clubs.
To find out more about Day One, please click here.
Youth Voice and Influence Service
The Youth Voice and Influence Service are a service within Community Youth Services at Sheffield City Council. They are made up of a team of professionally qualified youth and community workers with a passion for ensuring young residents voices in the city are heard.
By Youth Voice & Influence this means listening to young people, valuing what is heard and acting upon it to make positive change.
They support and empower young people to shape, lead and produce their own activities and programmes. They also make sure the mechanisms are in place for young residents to be involved in decision making at all levels.
They run various youth voice groups in Sheffield that give young residents, aged 11– 24 years, a way to have their say and work on projects they’re passionate about. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email the service: youth.voice@sheffield.gov.uk
