Creative workshops for young people will run in Suffolk libraries over the holidays
The workshops are running across nine libraries, including Ipswich, Lowestoft, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds.
Young people across Suffolk are being invited to take part in a series of festive creative workshops being held in libraries over the Christmas holidays.
Suffolk Community Libraries is running 19 Blank Page workshops between 22 December and 2 January across nine libraries, including Bury St Edmunds, Chantry, Gainsborough, Great Cornard, Ipswich County Library, Lowestoft, Sudbury, Stoke and Stowmarket.
The Blank Page programme, funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity Fund, offers full-day arts sessions with professional artists. Places are free for children eligible for benefit-related free school meals, while additional places are available at £15 each for other families, including lunch, drinks and snacks.
About the workshops
Erin Hamilton, Children’s Librarian for Suffolk Community Libraries, said Blank Page has been running since March 2023 and aims to give young people meaningful creative opportunities within a safe setting.
She said:
“Blank Page is a really lovely sort of programme of events that we run… and what it does is it aims to bring children into the libraries for different art workshops.”
The workshops were originally free for all, she explained, but now carry a small charge for non-eligible families. However, Hamilton said the fee covers a full day of activities, food and support from professional artists and library staff.
“The idea behind it was just to bring art back into focus a little bit and give children who don't normally have that opportunity an opportunity to do something with a really nicely trained artist,” she said.
“We’ve got all the books in the library there to… entice and appeal to them to sort of pick up a book on their way out after the workshop as well.”
This festive season’s workshops are designed so each child can take home something they have made, whether as a gift or a keepsake.
“It could act as a gift for someone in their family or a friend… just to get through that festive period a little nicer,” Hamilton said.
Helping families
She added that the sessions offer valuable support for families through the long winter break.
“We know the pressures of a working family… School can be quite a challenging space. What we're trying to do is show them the option of a library in the school holidays.”
Hamilton said the programme is proving popular, with over 100 bookings made within hours of the winter workshops going live.
“There’s still lots of space, so don’t be put off… We know that it is really anticipated,” she said.
For families who may find the £15 fee a barrier, Hamilton encouraged them to contact the library directly.
“There may be a way that we can do a referral for half funding, which would then take that element of challenge away,” she said.
Young people will also receive drinks, snacks, lunch and a small gift from the library during the day.
“Hopefully families see that as a really good value day out for their child,” Hamilton added.
Workshops this winter include typography T-shirts, mosaic decorations, character illustration and upcycled collage sessions led by professional artists.
Full details and booking information are available on the Suffolk Community Libraries website.