When we lift young voices, communities RISE!
On 21st September 2025, RISE Young Lancaster District was launched at our very first young people’s festival, held at the Mazuma Stadium in Morecambe.
With over 200 attendees, this free event was a vibrant celebration of creativity and inspiration. Funded by West End Morecambe Big Local and planned by young people, for young people, the festival brought together voices from across the district to imagine and shape a brighter tomorrow.
A Day to Remember
Talented young hosts led the day, showcasing incredible performances in music, drama, and dance. Attendees got hands-on with exciting activities including:
- Non-contact boxing
- Arts and crafts
- Virtual reality experiences
- Inflatable axe throwing
Our Marketplace gave young people the chance to connect with a wide range of local organisations offering support, guidance, and opportunities. Through discussion and debate, important issues were raised – and the voices of young people are already helping shape the future strategy of RISE.
The Response? Overwhelmingly Positive!
“Today was fun and amazing!!”
“I really enjoyed the activities and everyone was really good and nice. I would defo come back and I recommend this to everyone😊”
“We need more events like this in the future😊”
A Huge Thank You
To all our fantastic partners – stallholders, youth workers, facilitators, and promoters – thank you! Your support helped make this event such a success, and together, we’re building a district where every young person can dare to dream.
Capturing the Spirit
Below is a poem by Nathan Parker, written about the festival. His words beautifully capture the energy, passion, and possibility that filled the day.
Dare to Dream
Morecambe Youth Festival,
where we Dare to Dream.
To REACH our potential;
Our community, our team.
A chance to influence,
As well as have fun.
New friends, new experiences,
Whilst shaping a vision
For Lancaster and Morecombe.
Niyah and Daz were our hosts,
They brought the energy –
and kept the agenda tight.
Reminding us that what you say matters,
And that together, the future can be bright.
Excitement filled the rooms,
As we raced off to different zones.
A marketplace full of supportive organisations;
Opportunities to talk, discuss, reflect,
Time away from our phones.
Workshops,
encouraged to share,
Our ideas for a better district,
and what we need to do to get there.
More shops, more activities,
more food places;
more spaces to get creative.
Better roads, cleaner parks;
improved facilities.
Safe, interesting and affordable opportunities,
So, we can express our talents and abilities.
Holistic support for drug use and addiction,
Beyond harm reduction information.
We know it’s bad –
We need relationships and safe spaces,
To help us break out of our situation.
Social groups, social skills.
Cultural events that bring people together,
so a sense of community we can instil.
A place for animals,
A place to learn about living.
A place for fresh produce, fruit and veg,
to nurture all that nature is giving.
We re-imagined our rights,
Like, feeling happy where we live,
where we work and go to school.
To have positive role models,
within places that are cool.
To be free to make mistakes,
To explore who we are,
To celebrate individuality,
So, we feel confident to push our potential as far…
as it can go.
To grow,
to have good friends,
to be free from violence.
To express ourselves, to vote;
to use our voice, not sit there worrying in silence.
In between the discussions,
there were zones to relax and chill.
Virtual reality, board games,
badge making, collage creating,
Boxing and karaoke to find our thrill.
We were treated to entertainment too,
SO MUCH local talent on show.
From theatre, to dance,
a live set from a local band –
Young people doing their thing and finding their flow.
Today was incredible,
A building full of HOPE and connection,
excitement, creativity and fun,
with plenty of insightful reflection.
What was clear for me to see,
was that what is being demanded isn’t much.
Surely solutions and change are within our touch?
Kindness, safety, respect,
A place of positivity and opportunity,
moving away from neglect.
It’s time to RISE.
To Dare to Dream and stand tall,
to feel empowered through collaboration.
Building a district to be proud of,
as good as any other in the nation.
Have a look through some of the fantastic inages of the day!
