Co-op doing it for the kids

The Co-operative and the Royal Exchange Theatre are teaming up to try and change the negative perception of young people.

A two-year initiative called Truth About Youth, which will ultimately see young people from across Greater Manchester taking over the running of the theatre, is launched on November 22.

The Co-operative Foundation has spent £280,000 on the Truth about Youth project and is working with seven charity partners across Britain, supporting projects that will enable young people to work with adults, the media and the wider community.

The Royal Exchange’s contribution will involve about 1,000 participants over two years, in a programme of activities will culminate in a two week festival in the summer of 2012, produced, programmed and project managed by teams of 14 to 19 year-olds.

Leading up to the festival, young people will create cross-generational projects which explore society’s attitudes to youth. They will also take part in a programme of mentoring and training with Royal Exchange senior managers and staff giving them experience in the practical skills required to lead arts projects, produce a programme of work, and manage a building.

The project will also include a wide range of adults – media partners, community partnership groups, audience members, and the general public.

(back l-r): Greg Hersov, The Royal Exchange Theatre’s Artistic Director; Rob Moore, trustee of The Co-operative Foundation; actor William Ash (aka Deputy Headteacher Chris Mead in Waterloo Road); (front l-r) John Crouch, trustee of The Co-operative Foundation; and Sarah Robinson, Manager of The Co-operative Foundation.

Michael Fairclough, head of community and campaigns at The Co-operative Group, said: “Truth about Youth is about helping young people deal with the challenges of growing up in a culture that has widespread negative perceptions of youth and we hope that by working with The Royal Exchange Theatre and supporting projects which enable young people to work with adults, the media and the wider community, we will be able to make a real difference.”