Youth Space

YOUTH SPACES

ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN

The Case for S.P.A.C.E (Switching Perceptions And Creating Environments) was launched in Spring 2023 by Lewisham Youth Theatre’s Members’ Committee.

The Case for S.P.A.C.E is campaigning for more high-quality youth-led spaces in the Lewisham. Young people having access to free, fun, productive spaces is important for everyone (not just young people!) and it must be considered a necessity.

Campaign goals:

To increase the amount of youth spaces in Lewisham.

Change the ways that young people are perceived in adult and public spaces.

To create true and honest representation of young people in the media.

What We Have Achieved

Created The Rainbow Criteria - a Lewisham wide quality mark for organisations that are showing a commitment to creating safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ young people. Young people participated in a design workshop with a focus on historical LGBTQ+ iconography to create the emblem, as well as detailing what local organisations would need to commit to to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+ young people. If you would like to know more about how to be awarded the Rainbow Criteria, or if you would like to nominate a space to receive the award, please email [email protected]

Performed testimony from the young people of Lewisham at the Super Summit.
The performance highlighted the need for more youth-led spaces in the borough.

This is currently being re-imaged for film, so watch this space. — Performed testimony from the young people of Lewisham at the Super Summit. The performance highlighted the need for more youth-led spaces in the borough. This is currently being re-imaged for film, so watch this space.

Participated in consultation sessions with Lewisham Council about local regeneration plans for Lewisham Town Centre.

Making sure that young people are considered at the design phase of local planning. — Participated in consultation sessions with Lewisham Council about local regeneration plans for Lewisham Town Centre. Making sure that young people are considered at the design phase of local planning.

The Case for S.P.A.C.E taskforce is a youth-led forum, of change makers and experts in creating Youth Space. Its purpose is to amplify the voice of young people, by assembling those who have the power to make change and young people to work towards the campaign goals.

The first taskforce meeting took place in Autumn, generating ideas for action and acknowledging the experience in the room. — The Case for S.P.A.C.E taskforce is a youth-led forum, of change makers and experts in creating Youth Space. Its purpose is to amplify the voice of young people, by assembling those who have the power to make change and young people to work towards the campaign goals. The first taskforce meeting took place in Autumn, generating ideas for action and acknowledging the experience in the room.

Lewisham Youth Theatre is moving to a new premises and The Case for S.P.A.C.E team are designing this new Creative Youth Led Hub! Matching their expertise in what a successful Youth Space needs to be, with support from our taskforce creatives. Due to open to participants in 2024, so watch this space to see how their vision becomes reality.

Who has the power to make changes to youth space in Lewisham?
After 3 months of investigation, Members’ Committee presented their findings to local community stakeholders. During this immersive performance, audience members found themselves as rookie police offices at their first morning briefing. The “sergeants” otherwise known as Members’ Committee, shared the evidence they have collected and put hard hitting questions to the audience about how to make changes to Lewisham’s youth spaces. — Who has the power to make changes to youth space in Lewisham? After 3 months of investigation, Members’ Committee presented their findings to local community stakeholders. During this immersive performance, audience members found themselves as rookie police offices at their first morning briefing. The “sergeants” otherwise known as Members’ Committee, shared the evidence they have collected and put hard hitting questions to the audience about how to make changes to Lewisham’s youth spaces.

The Case for S.P.A.C.E launched at the My London Youth Summit, outlining the campaign goals and raising awareness to the need for youth space in Lewisham. Young People showed their support for the campaign by taking photos in the Case for S.P.A.C.E reversable frame and sharing it online.

How To Get Involved

Join our Taskforce! If you are willing to pledge your time and join The Case for Space taskforce, email [email protected]. We are particularly interested in hearing from young people who live or learn in Lewisham and adults with relevant experience or a vested interest in making change to youth spaces.