News
Jumbo to recruit young creatives
The Jumbo Project is giving ten young people the chance to join an exciting creative research programme to discover Water Stories and inspire future generations.
North Essex Heritage is seeking 10 young people, aged 12–18, to take part in a nine-month heritage programme and transform them into researchers, filmmakers, interpreters and creative ambassadors. Youngsters from across the city and beyond will lead conversations about water – our most precious resource – and its use locally, nationally and internationally.
The once-in-a-generation Jumbo Project, made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of the National Lottery, will restore the disused water tower and repurpose it into a visitor attraction and commercially viable, accessible heritage and events venue for the city.
To ensure the message about the importance of water flows through to current and future generations, the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund is supporting delivery of Water Stories. The project aligns with The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s activities programme for The Jumbo Project.
Young people interested in being considered for the Water Stories project should get in touch. If you know a young person who is interested, but is unable to email, please contact us on their behalf and we will make adjustments in the recruitment process.
The Jumbo Project Programme Manager, Joseph Rawlings, said:
“We are overjoyed to have the support of the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund for the Water Stories project. Jumbo has been a key part of Colchester’s water story since 1883, and we look forward to working with young people to creatively explore the importance of water on a local, national and international level.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, in the coming weeks The Jumbo Project will be looking for a group of young people to support the Water Stories programme. If you are interested in finding out how you can take part in this, or any other Jumbo activity, please go to Jumbo.org.uk to sign up to our mailing list and be the first to find out how to get involved. We will also be contacting schools, home education groups and colleges to ensure everyone is included.”
Together, and in conjunction with international charity WaterAid, the young people will explore what water means to people and places across the planet. Working with a facilitator, they will create videos and other content that connects Jumbo’s life-saving legacy and contemporary global issues, including access to clean water, environmental sustainability, and resilience in the face of climate change.
They will engage in 16 sessions that integrate research, technical skills, creative experimentation, and collaborative production. The experience will begin with team building, introductions to Jumbo’s history and practical workshops on research and interviewing. Participants will explore Jumbo’s heritage and Colchester’s water networks through site visits, archive work, and guided discussions.
Their final film will be a significant new work, directly reflecting the heritage, questions, concerns, and creative voice of Colchester’s young people.
The Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund supports organisations and creative practitioners to deliver a broad and exciting range of work and activity to engage with and bring communities in Essex together.
The fund, which is part of Essex County Council’s Everyone’s Essex strategy, supports projects that help economic regeneration and benefit communities. Since launching in December 2021, it has supported over 100 arts and cultural events throughout the county for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy.