Across different cultures locally and nationally, there are stories that should be told about the personal impact lockdown measures have had. How has the impact been different for young people from different cultural backgrounds? How have they been similar? In a series of workshops, participants will gain the skills to produce cartoons and comic strips reflecting their own experiences regarding one or more of these suggested topics – or choosing one of their own: Staying at home; Not meeting friends/family; Schools, playgrounds and shops being closed; Sanitising hands; Face covering; Essential journeys only; Limited outside exercise; Staying two metres apart;; Shopping online; Takeaways online; Education online; Health concerns; Home entertainment; Cleaner environment. Young people will learn how to tell their own stories in a popular and accessible format, creating a valuable visual/verbal testament of how these times have affected our lives. And they’ll also have a lot of fun.

What we'll deliver:

• Exhibitions by local young people at an acclaimed national art museum in a neighbouring part of their borough.
• These exhibitions will also be made available for display elsewhere in the Church Street area and beyond.
• Compilation comic booklets available free to all participants and in the Cartoon Museum and local shops and libraries.
• Digital versions downloadable from our website, shareable with friends/relatives across the rest of the world.

Why it's a great idea:

With many different cultures, traditions and faiths, Westminster’s young people have a unique perspective on life and this project will give them an opportunity to express their views in a popular and accessible format. The skills attained could encourage young people to continue doing their own comics on a variety of topics, a proven way of improving literacy and self-expression. The project aims to promote social participation by including local people in our displays, and community cohesion by providing an opportunity for disparate sections of the Church Street area and beyond to read and learn about their similar feelings and experiences. The Cartoon Museum will benefit from learning about our neighbours and how we might further work together on activities, events and displays. We’d like local people to feel invested in the museum, that it’s equally there for them as well as our visitors from all parts of the globe.

Steps to get it done:

• Successfully liaising with 6 local groups to work with
• Successful delivery of 4 workshops for each group
• Holding 6 exhibitions of local people's artwork
• Continuing to supply advice and facilities post-project

The Cartoon Museum moved into brand new premises in Westminster last year and since then we have been investigating ways to contribute to our various local communities and to get them involved in our displays and activities. We have, over the past 14 years, run many workshops for families, schools, and community groups including Mind, Coram Children’s Charity and Newham Library Service. We look forward to the opportunity of engaging with local young people to enable them to express their thoughts and feelings about life under lockdown, and to work with local groups to involve them in our work.