Zest, the award-winning arts organisation behind The Zone has confirmed the locations and activities for the new pop-up space this summer, including an eye-catching community art mural re-painted weekly with local artist Tinashe Chipawe.
The Zone by Zest and AirClad is a space that’s been made for young people from the ideas of young people. The free-to-attend, pop up youth club for 11-18s will take residence across different parts of Lincoln this summer, and is set to help young people who are “desperate for opportunities to be supported, lead, seen and heard” according to Zest Artistic Director, Toby Ealden.
Kicking off the summer in City Square with a preview launch event from 19-21 July, followed by a full opening 24 July-3 August, The Zone will then spend 10 days under Pelham Bridge from 7-17 August, before moving to Moorland Community Centre 21-31 August.
Young people can look forward to a wide range of workshops focussed purely on supporting their enjoyment, social life, creativity and growth this summer. Sessions include DJing skills with Noise Academy, parkour workshops with Lincolnshire YMCA, podcasting techniques, poetry workshops and much more.
What’s more, The Zone will be given a dynamic new look every week with a community mural by young people working with local artist Tinashe Chipawe to design, create and repaint to keep The Zone fresh.
Toby adds: “We’ve been speaking to young people about what they’d love their summer at The Zone to look like and we’re really excited to announce just some of the activities that Lincoln’ young people can get involved with, for free, this July and August.
The Zone is a brand-new space to party at Silent Discos, relax with friends and play videogames or table tennis, chill in the Book Nook, or get creative in the Craft Zone. Plus, there’s free giveaways from local businesses, free barbershop haircuts and demos from The Gentry, and even free 50s-inspired hair styling from Jailhouse Frock!”
Offering everything from laidback hangouts and cosy book corners to high-energy workshops with professional artists and adrenaline-pumping parties, The Zone features a bespoke trailer creating an indoor space along with outdoor decking and vibrant, inflatable structures. Whether interested in trying street dance classes, drama workshops, make-up design or percussion sessions, The Zone will offer something for everyone.
Thanks to the innovative design by AirClad, The Zone is an idea that, subject to funding, can easily be adopted and installed within multiple areas of the UK at any one time, filling the very real need for spaces where young people can come together for far less expense than a traditional youth club.
Staffed by trained youth workers, everything from the design, branding and activities has been created with feedback from young people.
Toby adds: “Zest is incredibly excited to develop this initiative for the youth of Lincoln and, should the project prove successful, it would be great to see the idea adopted in other locations across the country so that more young people are given a space to call their own. Public services should exist to enable everybody across the community to thrive, not just survive, that’s why we really hope that this initiative in Lincoln can kick start a new way of thinking about what and how we provide spaces for young people to flourish and thrive.”
Anyone aged 11-18 can come to The Zone—but if you want to join in the FREE activities, a Parent or Carer will need to submit a Registration Form first at getinthezone.uk
To be the first to experience The Zone, get access to amazing giveaways and exclusive events and summer surprises, visit getinthezone.uk
