Why it matters: The workshops provide enriching activities for young people eligible for benefit-related free school meals during the Christmas holidays, with all materials, lunch, drinks and snacks included.
The details: The workshops will run at Chantry, Gainsborough and Ipswich County Library, as well as six other libraries across Suffolk, with sessions available for young people of all ages.
Young people can choose from four different creative activities, led by professional artists:
Typography T-shirt design with Sarah Nkugwa from AMPP Studio
Mosaic decoration with EJArt Ceramics
Character illustration with Dex Legon
Upcycled collage and decoupage with Clare Sams
By the numbers: The workshops are free for young people eligible for benefit-related free school meals. A limited number of places are available at £15 each for those not eligible for free school meals. Eligibility can be checked on the gov.uk website.
The bigger picture: Thousands of young people have booked onto hundreds of workshops since Blank Page launched in Easter 2023, funded by the Department for Education's Holiday Activity Fund.
What they're saying: Erin Hamilton, Suffolk Community Libraries children's librarian, said: "Thousands of young people have booked onto hundreds of workshops since we launched Blank Page in Easter 2023. We've had amazing feedback and it's clear they've been a huge success, not only in helping to build confidence and skills in young people but also getting them into our libraries so they can see what we have to offer them."
Nadia Cenci, cabinet member for communities, said: "These workshops have been incredibly successful in helping our libraries to engage with more young people. It's wonderful they're running again and I urge young people to make the most of them over the holidays. They're a brilliant example of the kind of valuable and creative opportunities the Holiday Activity Fund is making possible for children who receive benefit-related free school meals across Suffolk."
What's next: Full information about the workshops and booking details are available via the Suffolk Community Libraries website.
The bottom line: The festive Blank Page workshops offer young people across Suffolk the opportunity to develop creative skills whilst enjoying free activities during the Christmas break.
