Lift the Lid aims to raise awareness of creativity and cultural participation for young people in Leeds through a targeted programme of activity.

Running from 2021–2023, the project focuses on the benefits of taking part in creative activity such as poetry, creative writing and music to improve wellbeing. Lift the Lid also shines a light on creative activity for and by young people via BBC Radio Leeds on shows that attract 196,000+ listeners.

Outreach work

Throughout 2021 we engaged young people from Harehills and Seacroft in poetry workshops led by local artists Matt Abbott and Testament, exploring themes such as youth identity and self-expression. We also partnered with the Leeds youth charity Getaway Girls to run a series of podcast-making workshops focusing on empowerment and self-esteem. 

For the second year of the project, we are turning our attention to creativity and culture and have partnered with LEEDS 2023 to expand the number of young people we can work with. Under the banner Lift The Lid: 23 Voices we are co-hosting two courses in podcast-making and journalism, providing participants with the skills and confidence to create their own media about the culture that matters to them. 

Paid Opportunity – Lift the Lid: 23 Voices

Together with LEEDS2023, we're looking for Leeds-based young people aged 16 to 25 who have something to say, to get involved and be part of the buzz of 2023. 

This is a 10-week podcasting and journalism course that will give you an introduction to the mediums and help you gain confidence to lift the lid on creativity in Leeds. We'll meet on Tuesday evenings, 6pm to 8pm between 14 Feb and 18 Apr at Studio 12 in Leeds Central Library, with a week's break in March. Participants in the course will be paid the real Living Wage - in total you'd receive £446.25 for participating.

To apply, please send in either 250 words or a 2 minute video or voice recording on one of the suggested prompts:

• Tell us about a piece of culture or something creative that's excited you recently - it could be a song, a book, a show, your friend’s band
• Tell us what is your favourite podcast and why?

For all information on what and how to submit, check out www.leeds2023.co.uk/take-part/lift-the-lid-23-voices 

Music workshops

In addition, three music workshops in Chapeltown, Harehills and Sheepscar between November 2022 and January 2023 offered young people the chance to have a go at making beats, singing and writing songs. Another three workshops in March and April 2023 will offer more young people an opportunity to access music and see how it can fire their creativity and boost wellbeing.

Radio Broadcast

We are raising awareness of creative and cultural activity for young people in Leeds via a range of features on BBC Radio Leeds that showcase stories, new voices and new activities across the whole city.

Abi Bliss is the Creative Lives on Air producer for BBC Radio Leeds and welcomes any ideas or thoughts via: [email protected]

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Lift the Lid is a Creative Lives project delivered in partnership with BBC Radio Leeds and funded by the Mohn Westlake Foundation via the Leeds Community Foundation. Lift the Lid: 23 Voices is delivered in partnership with LEEDS 2023 with support from Studio12.