Past projects: book bench trail
We were delighted to help welcome visitors and local residents back to the beautiful towns of King's Lynn, Downham Market and Hunstanton. We agreed that books had been a key part of our lockdown lives, taking us to places in our minds that it was not possible to visit in reality. We hoped that the Explore-a-book bench trail around the three towns would encourage people to get outside, meet others, and visit special places that they may have forgotten about over the lockdown period.
The work experience team hoped that people would enjoy finding all 10 benches on the trail and post photos of themselves on social media. One bench in each town was painted by a local artist using images designed by children and young people. Having decided on each location for the book benches, together we researched and wrote a trail leaflet and worked with a professional graphic designer to come up with the look, presenting it to a local councillor for final approval.
One of the benches was painted by a participant in our work experience programme, Savannah, who has recently started her first job.
Savannah says "Since joining the Kick The Dust team in December 2020, I have been offered endless opportunities and gained long lasting skills and contacts. The biggest impact that Kick The Dust has had on me over the last few months has been my massive boost in confidence! I have taken opportunities that I would normally be too scared to even think about doing and sharing my ideas in a group has helped me feel like my ideas are worth sharing in the first place.
"Now, about five months into my journey with them, I have a Kickstart placement with the arts organisation, Collusion! I am still working with Kick The Dust and taking part in projects and I have no intention of stopping anytime soon. They are my creative support group that have helped me through this difficult time and inspire me every day to keep taking as many opportunities as I can handle."
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Supported using public funding by Arts Council England