Gainsborough Library Blank Page Project

A series of creative workshops for teens

Organisation links
Location address: Gainsborough Community Library, Ipswich
Chosen age group:

Ages: 10 - 16 years

Available tickets:
Paid non HAF child £15 per session Free HAF eligible Free
Next date: Tuesday 8th Apr,
Funded by Suffolk County Council
Universal holiday club
A summary
Join us at Gainsborough Community Library for a variety of creative workshops throughout the winter holidays for 10-16 year olds! Workshops are 9:45am - 3:30pm and include lunch, drinks and snacks. Free places are available for those eligible for benefit related free school meals. Unsure if you’re eligible? For guidance visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals. For more information on each workshop and our brilliant artists, please visit our website: www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/blank-page Library: Gainsborough Library, Clapgate Lane, Ipswich, IP3 0RL Tue 08 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 Upcycled Collage and Decoupage with Clare Sams Thur 10 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 "Who am I?" Make a Character with a Difference with Theatre Maker Sian Burford-Thomas Tue 15 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 Sculpture & Casting Creations Workshop with Emma Denby Thur 17 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 Illustrated Tattoo Designs with Joel Millerchip Workshop details: Tue 08 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 Upcycled Collage and Decoupage with Clare Sams Join textiles artist Clare Sams for this creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at your local library. Learn how to make recycled art using magazines, comics and varnish. In this workshop you will learn how to customise objects with recycled comics and magazines to make fun and personalised creations. Decoupage is a traditional craft, used to upcycle objects for the home with colours, pictures, and patterns by using scrap paper and varnish. In the session you can try out the art of collage using paper glue, magazines, and card to get familiar with the techniques. Next you will make a customised keychain charm using decoupage glue and lettering. Moving onto a larger project after lunch, you can use your new decoupage skills to customise your own project, including wooden boxes, coasters, and canvases. What will you create? If your booking is made within 72 hours of the workshop, we may not be able to accommodate specific dietary requirements. Please get in touch with the library location for the workshop to discuss options. Please note that whilst we welcome all young people, our staff are not specifically SEND trained. This workshop is for 10-16 year olds only. If you feel your child requires additional support in the form of adult attendance in order to access this workshop, contact us by emailing katie.puls@suffolklibraries.co.uk. Free places are available for those eligible for benefit related free school meals. Unsure if you’re eligible? For guidance visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals. Thur 10 April 2024 09:45 - 15:30 "Who am I?" Make a Character with a Difference with Theatre Maker Sian Burford-Thomas Join theatre maker Sian Burford-Thomas for this creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at your local library. This unique workshop will explore identity and performance, taking you on a creative journey of self-discovery! Jump into action this spring and create a character with a difference! Our blank canvas’ identity will be revealed only by you… Bring the character to life through designing their look, who they are on the inside and how they will make a difference to the world around us. We’ll be looking at visual elements such as clothing to shape the look of our character and creating performances to reflect our character’s traits and passions, using recorded voice work. Accessible and fun theatrical exercises and techniques will help participants to develop their ideas. Our finished character will remain on display at the library for all to see at the end of the day. If your booking is made within 72 hours of the workshop, we may not be able to accommodate specific dietary requirements. Please get in touch with the library location for the workshop to discuss options. Please note that whilst we welcome all young people, our staff are not specifically SEND trained. This workshop is for 10-16 year olds only. If you feel your child requires additional support in the form of adult attendance in order to access this workshop, contact us by emailing katie.puls@suffolklibraries.co.uk. Free places are available for those eligible for benefit related free school meals. Unsure if you’re eligible? For guidance visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals. Tue 15 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 Sculpture & Casting Creations Workshop with Emma Denby Join professional sculptor Emma Denby for this creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at your local library! Learn how to use clay to sculpt your creations and cast them into a final piece. This workshop introduces participants to the process of using clay to sculpt sculptures and using silicone and Jesmonite to cast them into a final piece. We will also explore using Jesmonite with pre-made moulds and will develop a variety of casting techniques. Exploring a variety of artistic techniques, Emma will be leading participants through creative ways of building sculpture, whilst using specialist skills such as moulding and casting. Using pre-made moulds, different techniques used to create swirly patterns, abstract shapes and bright colours will be explored. Participants will take away their own sculptures cast in Jesmonite, along with coasters or candle holders which they decorate in their own way. If your booking is made within 72 hours of the workshop, we may not be able to accommodate specific dietary requirements. Please get in touch with the library location for the workshop to discuss options. Please note that whilst we welcome all young people, our staff are not specifically SEND trained. This workshop is for 10-16 year olds only. If you feel your child requires additional support in the form of adult attendance in order to access this workshop, contact us by emailing katie.puls@suffolklibraries.co.uk. Free places are available for those eligible for benefit related free school meals. Unsure if you’re eligible? For guidance visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals. Thur 17 April 2025 09:45 - 15:30 Illustrated Tattoo Designs with Joel Millerchip Join illustrator Joel Millerchip for this creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at your local library. Create a fun flash sheet of your very own cartoon tattoo designs! Participants will draw a flash sheet of designs to be decorated using ink and water colour techniques. Everyone will get to take home their original multi-coloured sheet full of tattoo designs. If your booking is made within 72 hours of the workshop, we may not be able to accommodate specific dietary requirements. Please get in touch with the library location for the workshop to discuss options. Please note that whilst we welcome all young people, our staff are not specifically SEND trained. This workshop is for 10-16 year olds only. If you feel your child requires additional support in the form of adult attendance in order to access this workshop, contact us by emailing katie.puls@suffolklibraries.co.uk. Free places are available for those eligible for benefit related free school meals. Unsure if you’re eligible? For guidance visit www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
send accessibility checklist
1:1 care
2:1 care
Qualified to administer medication
Epilepsy trained
Accessible toilet
Assist with personal care and toileting
Hoist and changing bench
Makaton and PECS trained
Sensory break area
Quiet spaces
Secure environment
Disability communication skills
More information available on request
Contact the Mentor to discuss your specific needs regarding this list item.
Please note:
It is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the the measures provided above. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed.
About your mentors
Suffolk Libraries
Where I belong.
We’re the independent charity that runs Suffolk’s library service. We nurture children’s literacy, support vulnerable people and promote wellbeing across Suffolk.
Sian Burford-Thomas
Theatre maker & practitioner
I work with young people and communities to share stories, explore identity and develop skills through theatre making. I enjoy working with texts and well as devising original work, and it's really important to me that anyone taking part is at the centre of the process. I’m fascinated by what motivates us as human beings, exploring the catalysts for action and change, and the stories that make us who we are. I run inclusive workshops and encourage laughter, teamwork and a positive shared experience. I now work as a freelance artist after having spent 8 brilliant years at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.
Joel Millerchip
Illustrator and artist.
I’m Joel Millerchip, an artist, ADHD thinker, illustrator and tattooist-in-the-making. Born in Birmingham, blossoming in Suffolk. My distinctive illustrative style is perfect for bold, impactful designs that work perfectly in print, on a wall, on a screen or all over your left leg. I also Lecture and support creative workshops with young people.
Dilly
Suffolk libraries information advisor
Hiyaa I’m Dilly and I love animals, being creative, including sustainable creativity, when I’m not spending time interacting with animals or at gigs I can often be found either working or volunteering with young people, their enthusiasm, inquisitiveness and perspectives on the world they live in is a treasure to be part of and to learn from.
Grace Dersley
Relief Library & Information Advisor
A regular member of the team at Gainsborough Library, who loves to read, write and create. I used to work weekends and help run Girls Group in 2022, but now can often be found covering shifts on the weekdays and in school holidays. Radio and music are my other passions and I'm always trying to link them to my library work one way or another!
Clare Sams
Sustainable textile arts practitioner
Textile artist with a background in fashion and arts education. MA in learning and teaching art and design for higher education. Sustainable arts practitioner. Development and facilitation of accessible creative arts engagement. Engaging and inclusive arts education.
Georgia
Library and Information Advisor
Here to support the young people attending, and artists providing our Blank Page Project workshops. I look forward to seeing you all and having a fun time during our workshops
Mandy Grimwood
Passionate community library manager
I love working with the local community and being able to offer new, exciting opportunities for young people to improve their confidence, self-esteem and aspirations.
Kim
Library and Information Advisor + Book Dragon
.
Samantha Scott
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Learning aims
Aim 1
To try something new and explore creativity
Aim 2
To learn about what Suffolk Libraries can offer
Aim 3
To develop confidence in meeting and working with new people
Pricing information
Ticket namePaid non HAF child
Price£15
Ticket name Free HAF eligible
Price£0
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LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Gainsborough Community Library, Clapgate Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 0RL
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Snacks
Meals
Equipment
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit
Smoke Detector

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
Free bookings do not require refunds but as places are limited, please cancel if you cannot attend so that your place can be offered to someone else.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.

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