Support the Summer Reading Challenge 2015

10 July 2015

(Image credit: Reading Agency website)

Help libraries set a world record this summer

Help to set a brand new record for libraries between today and the 13th of July. They are aiming to achieve the most number of pledges for a reading campaign, so children, young people and adults across the country will be pledging at libraries to use their local library or encourage children to read over the summer. Read more

What does the budget documents mean for the arts and culture?

This week's budget has given an indication of the headline money available to all government departments between 2016 and 2020, and those cuts are not as deep as previously announced in the March Budget. It does not give specific detail about the settlement that DCMS will receive and pass on to the Arts Council or the national museums. That will become clear later in the year as part of the forthcoming spending review. Read more

Local authorities leading the way in creative employment

“Although many individual businesses have successfully applied for Creative Employment Programme funding, we have also seen a strong number of consortia applications. So far, 16 local authorities have worked with creative and cultural organisations to apply for funding, resulting in 507 new paid internships and apprenticeships in the industry”, says Sara Whybrew from CCSkills. Read more

Creative People and Places updates

Check out the new Creative People and Places website and find out more about the latest updates on the programme which is about more people choosing, creating and taking part in brilliant art experiences in the places where they live. You can also follow them on Twitter

Hollywood heavyweights back free film festival for schools

The Into Film Festival is the world’s largest event of its kind for pupils and teachers. The aim is to get 450,000 primary and secondary children watching and making films. The festival, which will be held between 4 and 20 November in 520 cinemas around the country, will include preview screenings, film-making workshops and question-and-answer sessions with industry experts; all be accompanied by teaching resources. Read more

Number of young homeless people ‘three times the official figure’

A study commissioned by Centrepoint, conducted by the University of Cambridge, found that 83,241 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 relied on charity and council support in the UK between 2013 and 2014. This is more than three times as many as latest statutory homelessness figures compiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government from local authority data that puts the figure at 26,852. Read more

Early help for children cut by half, say charities

Funding to help vulnerable children in England has been cut by nearly £2bn over the last five years, say charities. Early help by local authorities has been "a casualty of government spending cuts", say the Children's Society and National Children's Bureau (NCB). Read more

The Astro Science Challenge

A space adventure for children 7-11 that follows the real life story of astronaut Tim Peake as he becomes the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station later this year. The adventure will consist of six missions, each with a new science-based challenge for the students to complete. All participants who successfully complete each challenge in the adventure are rewarded with an online digital badge endorsed by one of our partners. For more information, download the PDF below

Download The Astro Science Challenge

IWM Home Front Memories Summer School

A five day summer school for 14-19 year olds at the Imperial War Museum in London. Join the intergenerational project and meet Second World War eye witnesses. You will also have the opportunity to explore the museum’s collection, develop you team skills and stretch your creativity. For more information and to book a place, contact Suzi Wright

RawMinds Creative Audio project

Wellcome Collection’s Youth Programme has 15 places available on our RawMinds Creative Audio project. They are looking for talented and enthusiastic young people with lots of ideas who’d like to be involved in producing a series of downloadable audio programmes (podcasts) featuring music, drama, interviews, soundscapes and other creative elements. Read more