Every child and young person should have the opportunity to access and experience the richness of the arts. Slough’s diverse, young population (1 in 3 under 18, 40% born outside the UK) face deep social and cultural inequality. With 1 in 5 children living in poverty and cultural engagement among the lowest nationally, equitable access to art experiences that inspire, shape futures and amplify youth voice are scarce, negatively impacting their education, mental wellbeing and social development.

Our Young Cultural Changemakers programme will empower Slough’s young people, including care-experienced, underrepresented, refugee and unaccompanied asylum-seeking and school children, to shape and deliver creative projects that reflect their hopes and create positive change where they live. They will create youth-led commissions with professional artists and undertake mentoring and skills development to improve their confidence, wellbeing and skills for brighter futures.