GRAIN will be working with young people from the YMCA throughout 2027 to make images that speak of place, identity and heritage, sharing untold visual stories and creating new opportunities for self-expression. We will use a broad range of photography and art techniques to make images together. Through this process the city and its history will be seen through new eyes. The project will culminate in a new public art piece in the city centre.

MAKING HISTORY is part of the national youth-led projects across England, History in the Making programme by Historic England.  35 youth-led projects across England have been awarded over £514,000 to create projects that uncover and celebrate overlooked local stories.

Each set of workshops will be about co-creation, exploring themes of heritage, place and identity through image making, a broad range of photography techniques and photowalks across the city.  The artwork created by the young people during the workshops will explore and symbolize their connections with the city, their stories and their identities.  Themes will be developed from conversations with the young people. What does the international ‘City of Ceramics’ and ‘The Potteries’ heritage and identity mean to young people?   What does the city symbolise for them and their collective and individual identities?  As part of the workshops the young people will work together as curators, to select an edit of final images from all those made, and to consider how these images can be brought together as a public art work. 

About YMCA North Staffordshire
More than 1500 people use YMCA North Staffordshire every month from a wide customer base – young people, families, children, community groups, sports teams, vulnerable adults, youth clubs, business meetings and art classes because they find support and encouragement here. We are a place where young people, families and our communities can get access to services and resources that will help them develop a better future for themselves and others.  To find out more https://ymcans.org.uk/

About Historic England
Historic England are the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all. Find out more about how the historic environment can help our wellbeing.

Historic England’s Young Advisers Historic England’s Young Advisers are a group of 10 young people (18-25) from across England. They are from a diverse range of backgrounds but are united in their passion to widen access to history and heritage. Their role is to advise Historic England on its young people’s engagement. They were part of the youth panel that decided which History in the Making projects to fund and will be informing the next phase of the project. The Young Advisers are paid for their time. The current panel members will stay with Historic England for 12 months, after which time a new cohort will be recruited.