Stowmarket Library The Blank Page

A series of creative workshops for teens

Organisation links
Location address: Stowmarket Library, Stowmarket
Chosen age group:

Ages: 10 - 16 years

Available tickets:
Paid non HAF child £15 per session Free HAF eligible Free
Next date: Wednesday 30th Jul,
Funded by Suffolk County Council
Universal provision
Stowmarket Library The Blank Page block mentored by Suffolk Community Libraries
Stowmarket Library The Blank Page block mentored by Suffolk Community Libraries
Stowmarket Library The Blank Page block mentored by Suffolk Community Libraries
Stowmarket Library The Blank Page block mentored by Suffolk Community Libraries
Stowmarket Library The Blank Page block mentored by Suffolk Community Libraries
A summary
Join us at Stowmarket Library for a variety of creative workshops this summer 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: suffolkcommunitylibraries.co.uk/blank-page 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. Library: Stowmarket Library, Milton Road North, Stowmarket, IP14 1EX 30 July: Recycled collage creation workshop 31 July: Coding with Scratch workshop 7 August: Video game creation workshop 8 August: Creative theatre workshop 20 August: Special effects make-up 21 August: Graphic t-shirt design workshop 28 August: Story writing workshop 29 August: Songwriting workshop Workshop details: Wednesday 30 July 2025 09:45- 15:30 Creative Recycling: old materials, new methods + making stuff with your mates with bitemarks (Emma Rogerson) This workshop will explore the different methods of collaging as a medium, what it is and what it can do, before engaging in a short creative writing task about your thoughts on collage. Participants will then be invited to make their own collages using upcycled materials such as newspapers, magazines and brochures. Then swap your creative collage with another participant and write a creative response to a new collage creation! You can choose poetry, prose, diary-writing - any form of writing you enjoy most. This also explores and encourages the idea of recycling and reusing as a creative technique in a way that is refreshing and accessible. Thursday 31 July 2025 09:45- 15:30 Coding with Scratch with Phil Willis Join software developer and robot creator Phil Willis for this free creative workshop for 10-16 year olds! Learn how to use coding software to create your own computer game. This workshop will guide you through the creation of your very own computer game. You will be introduced to programming concepts such as scratch and raspberry pi to design and create a computer game for you to play and share with your friends. No computing experience necessary, only a desire to learn. Thursday 7 August 2025 09:45- 15:30 Level Up – Create Your Own Game World with Evie Capon Gaming and storytelling workshop – A full day of imagination, sound design, voice work and visual storytelling as participants design and bring to life their own original video game concept. This workshop will explore how to build a game world from scratch, including developing characters, designing quests, and recording sound effects and voiceovers for in-game action and cutscenes. Participants will learn how to plan their game’s narrative, storyboard key scenes, and will have the option to record their own trailer or “live playthrough” using voice acting, effects, and creative visuals. Using iPads and accessible creative software, the group will be guided to build their own world. By the end of the workshop, participants will go home with a mini game concept, complete with characters, sound, and a short video or audio demo to share. RISKS: E-safety guidance with the use of iPads. Please note: Content created may be shared online or with participants after the session. Consent will be requested where necessary. Friday 8 August 2025 09:45- 15:30 Creative Theatre with Poppy Stevens This is a writing workshop with a difference. No previous writing experience necessary. This workshop will equip you with the skills to harness your creativity and get started. This workshop is designed to take the fear out of writing and instead celebrate imagination, creativity and storytelling. So, what can you expect from this workshop? Some drama games, some writing and a whole lot of fun. You'll create a piece of writing for performance, explore what makes a great script, and learn how to write for a character. As someone with dyslexia Poppy understands the importance of creating non judgemental spaces for neurodivergent young people to express their ideas. Wednesday 20 August 2025 09:45- 15:30 SFX Make Up with Lorna-Jane Garside Join arts practitioner Lorna-Jane Garside for this creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at your local library. Learn how to create your own cuts, bruises and gory special effects makeup looks! Participants will learn how to create the gory looks they've seen on stage and screen. You'll be making your own stage blood, creating latex prosthetics, and learning how to apply cuts and bruises. We'll build the weirdest and most creative story we can think of and design the special effects to go along with it! Thursday 21 August 2025 09:45- 15:30 Graphic T-Shirts with Sarah Nkugwa Join printmaker and graphic designer Sarah Nkugwa for this free creative workshop for 10-16 year olds at Gainsborough Library, as part of The Blank Page Project! Learn how to use typography to create exciting graphic t-shirts to support big change in the world. We will be exploring different ways of using Typography to design on trend graphic messages to be worn on a t-shirt. Participants will make their way through a series of experimental design ideas and learn how to use vinyl and the heat press safely to make one-of-a-kind t-shirts to take home. Thursday 28 August 2025 09:45- 15:30 Power Up Stories! with Sian Burford-Thomas Stories have power – the power to entertain, to educate, to challenge and to change. Join us to celebrate your power, your voice and to tell stories that matter to YOU. In this workshop we’ll be tapping into our ideas, imaginations and desire for change, all through storytelling. So what is it you want to say? We’ll be using theatre making techniques to get us thinking, but there’ll be no pressure to perform in front of others if you don’t want to. You can share back your story through performance, words or images, and you’ll get to take home our storytelling device, enabling you to reimagine your ideas again and again. Come and enjoy a creative day where your ideas matter! Friday 29 August 2025 09:45- 15:30 Charlie's Community Song Factory with Charlie Law Participants will write a song together in a group and record it in one day. The song will be professionally mixed and mastered and participants will receive an mp3 of the song. Charlie Law is a local singer-songwriter who has been featured on BBC Introducing and performed gigs with Ed Sheeran, Frank Turner and Turin Brakes.
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 Community 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.
Eloise
Digital Artist & Librarian
I'm Eloise! I'm a freelance artist specialising in Digital Art & Stylized Illustration. My initial inspiration to draw came from being immersed in stories from graphic novels, anime, and video games. I've also been drawing digitally since I was young so I've become quite savvy with it! I've since explored all sorts of different artstyles and methods, but I always come back to the styles that inspired me to draw in the first place, and I want to support young artists in creating from their own inspiration in my Blank Page workshops! I'm also a Librarian at Stowmarket Library and will be supporting other awesome artists in these workshops! I'm happy to bounce back and help fuel any of your wonderfully creative ideas =) In my free time, as well as playing video games and reading (obviously), I enjoy fashion and am learning to crochet.
Poppy Stevens
Lover of words, tea, cake and cows!
Poppy Stevens is a community arts practitioner, poet and performer. Her writing has been commissioned and published by The National Centre for Writing, The Young Norfolk Arts Trust, TOAST Poetry, BBC Radio Norfolk & Suffolk & Atrium poetry. Poppy works within the community delivering creative workshops to a diverse range of people. Her work with children spans from EYFS to Key Stage 4 both in schools, alternative provisions and community settings. Poppy runs a regular dyslexia inclusive writing club. These courses focus on taking the fear out of reading and writing and instead celebrate imagination, creativity and storytelling. As someone with dyslexia Poppy understands the importance of creating non judgemental spaces for neurodivergent young people to express their ideas.
Charlie Law
Singer-Songwriter
Charlie Law is a storytelling songwriter from Suffolk, UK who sings about his adventures in camper vans, canal boats and starting a family. His guitar playing is steeped in the thumb picking fingerstyle of old ragtime music, passed onto him by his Grandpa who didn’t have the strength to play, but knew how to do it. Charlie’s baritone tenor voice (the same as John Lennon) has a rich tone, with soft falsetto in the style of Jeff Buckley and a Paolo Nutini Rasp when the music bites. More recently Charlie has been facilitating songwriting workshops in a variety of community settings. May music fill up your heart, Drink with me your flowing glass, Sing with me for all that’s nice, For joy in music is joy in life. - Charlie Law
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.
AMPP Studio
Community arts organisation based in Ipswich
AMPP Studio is a new community arts organisation in Ipswich, bringing the magic of Pop Print Studio and Rock Paper Scissors together in 2025. Our focus is on creative learning - our role is to build confidence and encourage aspiration in our young artists. We teach problem solving and independent thinking through art & design. Our participants build confidence through working in small groups and it is important to us to provide a positive and inclusive space for all to shine.
louise lewis
Library and information advisor
I have a husband of 15years and two teenage children. I predictably love to read and have a passion for tropical houseplants, I keep over 100 in my home and even have a dedicated instagram page!
Evie Capon
Fun and caring Performing Arts facilitator.
Performing arts teacher with specialist skills to support people with additional needs.
Phil Willis
Professional application developer
Professional application developer, robot maker, Coder Dojo mentor and Pi Wars judge.
Victoria
Library Manager
Library Manager for Stowmarket Library.
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
Stowmarket Library, Milton Road North, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1EX
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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