YOUNGSTERS from a Liverpool children's
home, Gladstone House, are to create a poignant mosaic that depicts
their views of the city's culture thanks to an award of £48,200 to
Liverpool SAFE Productions from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Initially the group will focus on Liverpool's
architectural heritage and then go onto the legacy of immigrants
arriving in the city and their contribution to the vibrant history
and culture of the city.
Terry Feeley, headteacher from Gladstone House
said:- "We are delighted to have received the funding to
undertake this project.
Our education programme is a major part
of work here with young people, and this project will be both
challenging and rewarding for this group of young adolescent boys
who have previously given up on education".
The project will culminate in the creation of
a mosaic depicting aspects of Liverpool's heritage that are
important to them. The mosaic will be displayed as part of the
Capital of Culture events. Two local hospitals have also pledged to
display the work, together with National Museums Liverpool.
Councillor Flo Clucas, Executive Member for
Social Care, said:- "We want to engage all sections of
the community in the Capital of Culture celebrations.
This will be a practical, hands on
project and I'm sure it will stimulate the children's interest in
the city's culture and heritage."
The project is a collaborate idea between
Brian Dawe SAFE Productions, which works to open up the arts to
community groups, and the staff from the home.
Commenting on the award, Brian said:-
"As Gladstone House is a secure children's home the children
are unable to get out and about to learn about heritage, so we
decided to bring heritage to them.
We'll work closely with the young people
to overcome their barriers and ignite their sense of curiosity to
help them learn about Liverpool's history in an interesting and
memorable way.
The young people will undoubtedly
benefit from this project and I'm sure the volunteers will find it
very rewarding."
National Museums Liverpool will allow the
youngsters to handle items from their collections in a bid to awaken
an interest in heritage and Cultural artists will also visit the
home. They will give drama performances to help the children explore
their own family histories.
Tony Jones, regional manager for HLF in the
North West said:- "We constantly strive to open up
heritage to as many people as possible and we're committed to
involving people from all walks of life.
This project is a prime example of that
and we're delighted to have been able to fund it. It will bring
heritage to the kids, they even get the opportunity to handle
thousands of years of history. By learning about their own heritage,
it is hoped that their self esteem will improve and they develop a
pride in this city".
