Mansfield is to be brightened with vibrant artworks, unleashing the thoughts and words of children and young people from the town.

Colourful banners and posters will be installed around the town centre and wider district as part of a cultural project to give a voice to younger citizens.

The initiative, called Refresh began in the summer when Zest Theatre ran workshops for 120 children at Oak Tree Primary School and The Samworth Church Academy in the town.

They aimed to create safe spaces for children to reflect on their life experiences and hear their views on Mansfield.

Adam Pownall, Mansfield-born executive producer of Zest Theatre, said: “The students were invited to talk about anything and everything — from daily life to the big questions of the universe. They commented on key issues that affected their lives, including mental health, climate change, and the pressures facing teenagers.

“Other important themes that came through were the need to have time for themselves, the need for mutual respect, and the freedom to be themselves and discover their own passions.”

In another strand of the Refresh project, Zest Theatre toured The Forum, a colourful pop-up town square installation, around the Oak Tree area of Mansfield in July.

The Forum invited local young people to post messages about what was most important to them, both now and for the future.

Zest Theatre at SIRF.
Image by Dawn McNamara 03/08/23

A selection of their words have been included in striking Refresh banners and posters that will appear in Mansfield during half-term — banners outside Oak Tree Primary School; flags in Mansfield Market Place; a digital exhibition van at Mansfield Civic Centre, Nottinghamshire County Council offices, and King’s Mill Hospital; and digital advertising on screens on Jubilee Way South.

The Refresh exhibition will be installed on 18th to 20th October and remain in situ throughout October half-term. During the installation, young people will be encourage to have their say on Instagram. Adults, meanwhile, will be asked to comment on how they can support young people to have a voice.

Both Zest Theatre and Mansfield District Council became Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations this year and have used this funding investment to promote their emerging Youth Voice strand of activities. Refresh Mansfield follows Zest Theatre’s successful Refresh projects in Stockton, Medway, Lincoln, and Darlington.

For the council, Refresh forms part of its Aspiration agenda and priorities, which aim to make Mansfield a place where people of all abilities have the opportunities to achieve their potential.

Coun Stuart Richardson, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “This Arts Council England funding is proving invaluable in allowing us to open doors to new cultural experiences for more people in the district and particularly in neighbourhoods where deprivation makes access to culture so much harder.

“With Refresh it is also allowing us to hear what our younger generation feel about Mansfield and life generally. All too often, the voice of younger generations goes unheard as we adults think we know everything and should make all the decisions.

“But often young people have the ability to cut through and unravel complex issues and get to the real crux of an issue which means they can bring a clarity of purpose in how to tackle and improve the world – and this part of the world – for everyone.

“I am looking forward to seeing their words of young wisdom brought to life in this innovative exhibition around the town.”

Refresh forms part of Mansfield District Council’s Aspiration priorities to make Mansfield a place where people of all abilities have opportunities to achieve their potential.

Upcoming Youth Voice initiatives include a climate activism programme called How Dare You, run in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse, and a dance scheme called Future Movement, in partnership with the Ballet Rambert dance company.

For details about how to be involved in these schemes, email [email protected]