The Dukes Creative Learning Department has reached the finals of a prestigious national competition.
Based at DT3 in Moor Lane, Lancaster, the team has beaten more than 500 others to reach the finals of the Children and Young People Now Awards 2010 and representatives of the department, together with some young people who use DT3, will be attending a glittering ceremony in London on 18th November at the Royal Horticultural Halls..
“This is like the Oscars for young people,” commented Creative Learning Director, Guy Christiansen, “and to get to the finals is a real testament to what has been achieved here in just four years.”
DT3 is a theatre venue which is managed in partnership with Lancashire County Council’s Young People’s Service. It presents a year round programme of productions aimed at under 25-year-olds and provides opportunities for them to take part in and create original work.
The department offers workshops and educational resources for students and teachers as well as other fun ways for young people to get involved at The Dukes.
Between 2009 and 2010 DT3 offered nearly 15,000 creative participation opportunities for 5-25 years olds; which provided over 4500 young people with life enhancing creative experiences.
“The DT3 group just goes from strength to strength,” feels County Councillor Mark Perks, who’s cabinet member for young people. “They are very talented and enterprising young people and staff from our Young People’s Service and The Dukes have brought out the best in them. To have reached the final is a real tribute to all of them.”
Children and Young People Now is the most prestigious and respected journal for professionals working with children and young people in the UK.
Its awards programme celebrates the variety of creative, educational and developmental work undertaken with young people. There are 22 categories covering social work, youth work, public sector delivery and the arts.
The Dukes Creative Learning Department was nominated for the Arts and Culture Award due to its quality and diversity over the past three years.
Other Lancashire organisations that have been shortlisted include Leyland-based CXL, which works with public, private and third sector organisations to deliver a range of products and services and careers information, advice and guidance for young people and adults; the Blackpool-based Homelessness Youth Mediation Service; and Lancaster University’s Creative Arts Volunteering team.
• Children and Young People Now Awards 2010 web site (Shortlist 2010 here)
• Dukes Creative Learning Department: www.dukes-lancaster.org/dt3