As the regeneration of Medway continues, young people’s words have been unleashed to inspire a better tomorrow.

Ideas Test are working with Zest Theatre, iCCi (University Of Kent), and the Medway Cultural Education Partnership to highlight young people’s voices and bring them to life through large-scale installations as part of Refresh Medway.

In May 2023, Zest Theatre ran workshops with over 100 young people aged 8-18 across Medway. The aim? To create space for young people to reflect on their experience of the last few years and release the voice of a generation. Co-led with local young people, these workshops enabled the next generation to share their thoughts and feelings about any and everything – from daily life to big thoughts about perfectionism, love and happiness.

Their words have now been turned into vibrant artworks, ready to be found on building site hoardings and shop windows across Chatham Town Centre from 8th July 2023. Look out for more artworks coming to towns across Medway over the next 12 months!

Refresh Medway places the voices of young people at the heart of their changing community, bringing colour and conversation to the place they call home!

WHO TOOK PART?

Participating schools & groups include:

  • BeYou Project
  • City of Rochester School
  • Icon Youth Theatre
  • Medway Youth Service WREC
  • New Horizons Children’s Academy
  • Porchlight
  • St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Gillingham

Follow the project across social media by search for #RefreshMedway.

 

Refresh Medway is a Medway Cultural Education Partnership (MCEP) project commissioned by MCEP, Ideas Test and iCCi – University of Kent.

It is supported by the Royal Opera House Bridge.

Refresh Medway places the voices of young people at the heart of their changing community, bringing colour and conversation to the place they call home!