Bolton's Octagon Theatre is looking for young people in Farnworth to take part in an new project that will see them take the lead on developing positive change and opportunities in their area.
The Octagon has been selected to deliver The Agency, a national creative entrepreneurship programme that gives young people aged 15-25 the chance to generate their own local social change projects.
The initiative is modelled on international practice developed by pioneer and theatre maker Marcus Faustini, who established the project in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro in 2011. Bolton is the first UK town to take part in this initiative, following successful projects in London, Manchester (courtesy of Contact Theatre), Cardiff, Belfast, Southampton, and most recently through Storyhouse in Chester.
The Octagon is looking for up to 15 young people aged 15-25, based in or having a connection to Farnworth, to become "agents of change". Sessions for the two-phase project will begin in October, and those selected will be paid £45 a week.
During the first phase, agents attend a 12-week training programme to develop and design their own projects for Farnworth, and will pitch those ideas to a panel of local people. The chosen ideas will receive £2000 of seed funding, and four months of support to complete the work.
Leigh Hunter Dodsworth, the Octagon's children and young people’s lead, will head the project: “We are excited to be bringing The Agency to Bolton. It's an amazing opportunity for young people in Farnworth with ideas and desires about the changes they want to see locally.”
Previous successful UK projects include a multi-sports programme, an environmental initiative, young people’s mental health project, a platform to promote untapped music talent, exhibitions showcasing the power of young black women, work with those at risk of offending, and tackling racism through shared cultural games.
Interested in applying? Fill in the form here before September 18.