Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 Claire McColgan Executive Producer Participation

Context Year Long Programme City as inspiration All art forms Participation at the heart City Centre Neighbourhoods Partnerships – Local, National & International

Objectives National and International Profile for the work and the city Increased engagement in arts and cultural activity Strengthened cultural infrastructure

Programme Framework Cultural Partners Programme Enhancement Animating the Streets Commissions/ Presentations Cultural Conversations and Independents Strategic partnerships Creative Communities Big Events

Creative Communities Empowering communities Recognised nationally Breaking new ground Meeting partnership agendas Funding, expertise and support Making it happen Ensuring the whole city participates

It’s Not Ok! Using Creativity as a vehicle to tackle social issues Its Not Ok! – is a violence prevention education programme led by Liverpool Culture Company in partnership with: Merseyside Police Merseyside Fire and Rescue Children Services Connexions Healthy Schools PCT City Safe Ariel Trust Armistead GYRO

A Creative Catalyst for Change The key aims of It’s Not OK! are: To raise awareness of the impacts of violence by exploring the use of violence as communication and examining the impacts of violence on young people and on our local communities To use creativity as a vehicle to give our young people a platform to stand together and speak out against the growing culture of aggression and violence and proclaim in one voice It’s not ok!

It’s Not Ok! Projects Plastered Street Heat Senseless Working Title – ‘Gay’s the Word’

Plastered Evaluation When the complete ‘Plastered’ learning resource is used to deliver a structured learning programme there is a clear, measurable impact on young people’s attitude to alcohol. Qualitative evidence shows that young people enjoy the process of learning offered by ‘Plastered’. The number of young people reached by ‘Plastered’ is in excess of 20,000. Decrease of 13.6% 1.1.1 Drinking at ‘house parties’ is a laugh and a safe thing to do

It’s Not Ok! Methodology Working with young people to develop a script around important social issues The script is made into a short film by commissioned film company LA Productions, all partners and young people are consulted An educational resource is made tackling the issues raised in the film by commissioned company Ariel Trust, all partners and young people are consulted A training programme is put together to train school teachers, youth workers and multi-agency staff on how to deliver the resource The film and educational resource is rolled out to all Liverpool Secondary Schools An independent evaluation takes place to review the attitudinal changes in young people who have used the resource

For more information please contact: Rachel Powell rachel For more information please contact: Rachel Powell rachel.powell@liverpool.gov.uk 0151 233 1103