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February 11, 2021

Reasons To Be Hopeful

Would you like to learn a new creative skill?
…make connections with other people?
Are you aged 16-25 or 50+?

Leeds Playhouse is looking for 100 people from two generations to come together (via zoom, email, phone or post), to forge new connections and take part in creative workshops for Reasons To be Hopeful.

The activities form part of the next phase of the Playhouse Connect programme, which began at the start of the first lockdown and connected with nearly 12,000 people.

Created in response to the extended national lockdown and the pressure it’s placing on communities, the Playhouse is working with partners across Leeds City Region on a collection of new and innovative projects. These aim to connect with diverse communities, promote creativity to boost mental and physical wellbeing, arm people with new skills, and give everyone the opportunity to express themselves at a time when many are feeling disconnected and alone.

As part of Reasons To Be Hopeful, the Playhouse is creating a company of people, fusing the creative energy and experience of those younger and older. It’s never easy to make connections, but so much creativity and hope can spring from meeting different people and having new experiences. Together they will harness that creative energy to create a multi-media tapestry which will be displayed outside the Playhouse this Spring, to remind the people of Leeds why there are still reasons to be hopeful.  

“It was important to us when designing this project, that we made it accessible. So you don’t have to have an internet connection. You will be able to take part in workshops over zoom, but also via the phone and the post. This project is really a way for us to come together and learn a creative skill at the same time”
(Maggie De Ruyck, Project Manager, Reasons to be Hopeful)

Workshops include: illustration, drawing, song-writing, creative writing, art and crafts, and drama. You don’t have to have any experience in the above, just give it a go!

If you are interested in creativity, and are between the ages of 16-25 or over the age of 50, we welcome you to take part for free!

If you would like to find out more:

Maggie De Ruyck
Project Manager, Reasons to be Hopeful
Leeds Playhouse