Designed for young people, by young people
Who chose Rotherham to become Children's Capital of Culture?
Its children and young people did!
In 2017, writing charity Grimm & Co asked local children and young people: "If you were in charge of Rotherham, what would you do?"
In response to this question, thirty young ambassadors created a manifesto for the town's future and took it to the borough's Council and cultural organisations. It sparked the inspiration of this group of change-makers, who saw that local children and young people were passionate about where they lived. They wanted to nurture this passion, and so they set an ambitious new goal - for Rotherham to become the world's first Children's Capital of Culture in 2025. Children's Capital of Culture isn't an award given by the Government, or part of a national culture bid. Instead, it's an ambition that the children and young people of Rotherham have chosen for their borough.
Becoming Children's Capital of Culture is a bold demonstration of Rotherham's commitment to empowering children and young people to have a voice and play an active role in the borough's future. We are committed to changing the fortunes for our younger generations and making Rotherham a place they are proud to call home.
Children's Capital of Culture will give young people a platform to be heard, and a chance to develop, deliver and take part in a range of events, training and networking opportunities that could change their lives. It will create a lasting impact on our young people and our town, boosting local pride, nurturing creative skills, and transforming the future of Rotherham.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is the lead delivery partner, supported by a huge number of organisations that are all working together to turn the ambition to become the world's first Children's Capital of Culture into a reality.
A wide range of partners are providing the financial support to make those children and young people's ambitions a reality, including the Government (through the UK Community Renewal Fund), Arts Council England, the European Regional Development Fund, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, The Space, and others.
Designed for young people, by young people
What 11 young people in Rotherham have to say about Rotherham becoming Children's Capital of Culture in 2025.
"Being Children's Capital of Culture will make Rotherham a better place for my daughter. We need more good things to do and see and be inspired by in Rotherham. I want my daughter to grow up and feel happy where she lives."
"I can't wait for Rotherham to be Children's Capital of Culture. It's nice for my hometown to be in the spotlight, and it will bring a lot more opportunities to people who live here. The title might not be what you expect of Rotherham, but we're going to change that!"
"Children's Capital of Culture is going to be so good for young people. It will show that there are opportunities in the creative sector here and change people's mindset about the town. It'll put us on the map."
“Rotherham is a diverse place, but there are divides between different communities. I think Children's Capital of Culture will help bring people from different backgrounds together and create better relationships and understanding of each other."
"Being Children's Capital of Culture will highlight that there are creative career opportunities available in Rotherham. Young people will realise they can work in the creative industry here and they don't have to move away to pursue their career ambitions."
"I've lived in Rotherham my whole life. Children's Capital of Culture will be a new start for the town. It will give local people something to look forward to and is a great way of showing off all the great things that people can enjoy and get involved with in Rotherham."
“It's created employment opportunities, and will provide plenty more opportunities for children and young people to get involved in the lead up to 2025."
"I feel like Children's Capital of Culture is a really positive thing that's spreading awareness of the different things happening in Rotherham. It's showing off what the town has and will help bring different communities together who will learn more about each other."
"It's a great opportunity for young people and children too. It will help to teach them to love their town and see the positives of Rotherham. It would be really nice if Rotherham had a brighter feeling to it, or its own personality like Leeds or Sheffield, and I think this will help do that."
"Children's Capital of Culture will show young people all the great things they can do here. It's like shouting really loudly 'hey, it's not boring here, look at everything that makes Rotherham special', and I think it will be really good for the town and make more people proud to be from here."
"Rotherham is brimming with creativity which deserves to be showcased. It's been frustrating to see the bad press Rotherham has got in the past. It's time the narrative changed."
"Rotherham deserves this effort to make it better. It needs a new story, we want something more vibrant for Rotherham, something that will make us stand out and wow people."
"Children's Capital of Culture is a chance to change Rotherham and make it more exciting. We need more child and teen friendly stuff to go to here, so we don't have to go to places outside of Rotherham. It feels like a really good opportunity for us, as young people who've grown up here."
"Becoming Children's Capital of Culture will give more young people in Rotherham opportunities. The events will get more people to come into the town."
Are you ready to become Children's Capital of Culture 2025?
Together, we will make Rotherham a place that young people are proud to call home.
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