After a decade 'in the brew' - Esteemed Creatives C.I.C. was officially brought to life by a group of dedicated people in March 2023. We are all about EMPOWERMENT and ADVOCACY. We create spaces for people between 11-16 years old in Todmorden, with adults that really see and believe in them.
We exist because we need to. In the past decade, government funding for youth services has dried up, meaning it's in the hands of the third sector & the local community to support the youngest members of our society to thrive.
Many of the young folks we work with are out of school or at risk of exclusion as they aren't the kind that like to sit still. Some might call them a rowdy bunch we however see them as colourful, free spirited and bouncy - energy the world needs more of! Subsequently, many fear the young folk we work with. If they're on the street, where they spend most of their time due to not having anywhere else to go, they are seen at best as a nuisance, and at worst as criminals (we personally feel much more unsafe at pub kicking out time in a city centre but that's a conversation for another time...)
Since we began just 2 years ago, we've run an alternative to school provision, delivered 2 years of HAF Healthy Holidays in partnership with Calderdale Council - providing awesome experiences and free meals to kids in over 100 families in Todmorden, and, ran the only free to access youth club in the area, two nights a week with help from our partners at the Big Lottery. In short, we've bossed it and a lot of our work has been done voluntarily. We've developed important relationships with the young people of Tod, they trust us and that's no small feat with young folk like ours.
Right now we are at a crossroads.
The nature of our crew means it's been hard for us to find rented spaces that suit us. We offer floating provision at the moment, our skilled playworkers continue to offer fun activities and safe relationships with the young people of Tod in the places that they hang out, but that isn't enough.
We need our own space. The kids need their own space. Todmorden needs them to have their own space ;)
Together with our young folks and dedicated community members, we are campaigning to create
STOMPING GROUND
Stomping Ground is a place.
Situated on a piece of unused land.
Dedicated to young folks in Tod.
Where the can hang out, and be, and muck about.
With two shipping containers as 'permanent spaces' the rest of the site is created by and for them. Think PALLETS (and more pallents), a zip line, footy pitch, jumping tower, massive swings...
Where they can freely explore and engage in activities like building, destroying and modifying structures, using materials like wood, tools, and scrap materials.
With enough space for all that BIG energy to be encouraged and experienced.
A place they can take ownership of.
That feels like THEIR PLACE in OUR TOWN.
Where them being giddy doesn't get them told off.
Where they can grow together and explore who they are as individuals.
Where they can create, problem solve and meet different kinds of people.
Where they learn about boundaries
Where they can learn to coexist....
All this whilst being supervised by trained playworkers that they trust.
People that genuinely enjoy their company.
People invested in helping them have a life full of opportunities.
People with whom they experience mutual respect.
This isn't a utopian dream. These spaces have been around for a very long time. They are known as 'adventure/junk playgrounds.' We're partnered with one in Bradford called the Big Swing. And we want to bring one to life here in Todmorden.
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Join the Campaign
Pledge to support us on a monthly basis with golden coins! This is arguably the most important factor for us - consistent funding. Even contributing as little as £5 a month will make a massive difference to our work. We are also eager to find corporate sponsorship.
The more community support we gather, the more likely we are to be successful on our mission. Obviously all the young folk are on board, but we need grow ups to use their voices! Sign our petition below:
(if you'd like to send a letter of support to Calderdale council - get in touch for our help with that)
WE NEED YOUR HELP
There are many ways you can help us manifest our vision and maintain our essential work.
Become a Sponsor
Work with Us
It takes a great many people to keep a project like Esteemed running, from admin, to social media, fundraising and campaigning, opportunities for artists and playworkers - if you feel you could bring some magic to Esteemed, drop us a message below!
MEET THE CREW
The Magic Makers
Front of House and Behind the Scenes...
WATCH OUR DOCUMENTARY
To understand a little more about our work, here's a documentary we created with our young folk last summer about anti-social behaviour in Todmorden....
CONTACT US
Do you feel like you can help us on our mission somehow? Or maybe you're a young person that wants to jump in with us? Whatever your reasons, feel free to get in touch with us using the form below.
