Come to the Cabaret! At Escape2Make, we love giving young people a stage to celebrate and showcase skills they develop with brilliant professional artists. We will run 28 free workshops for 11-18s in Lancaster and Morecambe in February half term, led by professional artists supporting young people to hone skills in theatre, stand-up comedy, music, and more. Participants will grow in confidence, make new friends, and find creative sparks that become life-long passions. And then...the big show! A Cabaret, open to the community, at Morecambe’s historic Platform venue. The glitz and glamour will come from young people, who have the chance to design the show, and have their moment to shine on the stage. E2M have a proven track record of supporting young people’s wellbeing, helping them grow in self-belief, and gain transferrable skills helping future ambitions. Your support will open free places for 75 11-18s to access a transformative opportunity they will remember for a lifetime.

What we'll deliver:

• 5 free week-long (5 sessions) creative programmes for 75 11-18-year-olds
• 3 free one-day creative workshops for 50 11-18-year-olds
• Participants will learn new creative skills that will be showcased at the Cabaret
• 6 outreach sessions in partnership with local schools, youth organisations and community groups
• A youth-led Cabaret event at the Platform, Morecambe, for 300 attendees from the local community
• Paid commissions and training for 8 local freelance artists
• Additional paid opportunities for a freelance marketing lead and 8 workshop assistants
• 16+ volunteer opportunities for members of the local community, including training

Why it's a great idea:

Our projects have supported the wellbeing, learning and connectedness of over 500 young people – who all have fun too! In recent projects: * 96% felt "great” or “amazing” after taking part * 99% made new friends * 100% enjoyed themselves During a crisis where 1 in 5 young people experience mental health challenges, and where loneliness, screen addiction and lack of creative skills are growing issues, our work is an important solution. We bring together young people from all backgrounds, taking away barriers to participation, e.g. providing bursaries to cover public transport, offering early sign up, and running outreach taster sessions in targeted areas. Our work has benefits across the community: *Providing 14 paid opportunities as facilitators, assistants and marketing lead *16+ volunteers will gain skills, training and experience *300 people from the community will attend the Cabaret event * 6 outreach sessions provide free activities for 120 additional young people

Steps to get it done:

• September – October: Work with Youth Board to decide on workshops and artists
• November: Contract artists and confirm workshop programme
• December-January: Artist training and planning for workshops
• December: Early access to workshop sign up for young people from targeted groups
• January: Outreach workshops in local community centres and youth groups to promote activities
• January: Workshop programme launches to all young people
• January – February: Promotion of workshops through school assemblies, other youth groups, physical & digital marketing
• February half term: Workshops take place
• 22nd February 2026: E2M Cabaret takes place for the wider community
• March: Evaluation of project complete