The funding will be used as the community engagement component of the Morecambe Maritime Festival with the aim of improving attendees wellbeing, enhancing their self confidence, self expression and strengthening the sense of community civic pride (sense of place). Workshops led by creative groups specialising in music, spoken word, creative artwork and the environment will create outputs tol be performed as part of the festival. The Rhythms Workshops led by More Music will inspire youngsters to create their own Sea Songs and Shanties. The Roots Workshops led by Good Things Collective will lead all ages to create a banner depicting Morecambe’s Maritime History. The Roots & Rhythms Workshop led by The Big White Shed will lead under 16 & 16+ in creating spoken material based on their understanding of Shanties and local history The Young Marine Champions activity will inspire young people to engage with peer groups with matters impacting the local environment.

What we'll deliver:

• Youth led marine outreach will share marine survey results with the public from the Young Marine Champions project
• Beachcombing session for 11 - 17 year olds to make marine sculptures using found materials (sea glass and shells)
• Maritime 25 Rhythms Workshops will inspire young people to create their own Shanties to perform in the festival.
• Maritime 25 Roots Workshop makes a banner collage of Morecambe’s shipping history to be displayed in the Winter Gardens
• Maritime 25 Roots & Rhythms Workshops for all ages to create poems about our maritime history to perform at the Festival
• Rhythms & Roots Word Walk led on Morecambe prom will capture in prose what they see along the way exploring this theme.

Why it's a great idea:

The Bay: A blueprint for recovery workshops Young people will learn about marine wildlife and the wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. In Morecambe there are high levels of deprivation and suicide. We want to enhance wellbeing and empower/inspire youth by engaging with nature. Maritime 25 Rhythms Workshop: Attendees at in More Music sessions identify with them having a positive effect on their mental health: “Being in a group, making music together promotes a mindful experience. It is very collaborative and communal ” [Max] Maritime 25 Roots Workshop: By instilling a sense of pride in place, and creating a sense of ownership of our shared history that has shaped and created the bay we know today, we can highlight the importance of supporting Morecambe’s maritime community in Morecambe Bay Maritime 25 Rhythms & Roots Workshop We believe that creative writing enables people to find their voice and supports positive mental health.

Steps to get it done:

• 01/06 Readiness Review with Workshop Providers
• 06/07 Publicity & Recruitment for participants in workshops completed
• 16/07 Workshop detailed planning meetings held
• 14/08 Activity workshops completed
• 16/08 Participation in Morecambe Maritime 25 Festival