Rewrite the Streets
What is it?
Thanks to the Youth Empowerment Scheme funded by Merseyside Police and Violence Reduction Partnership, we were able to deliver our Rewrite the Streets Programme from September 2025 to March 2026.
Rewrite the Streets is a creative writing and spoken word diversionary programme that invited young people at risk of antisocial behaviour aged 13-18 across Liverpool to come together and explore their identities, share their experiences, and find their voice. Our experienced writing tutors and artists created an inclusive, accessible creative space within youth centres in socio-economically deprived areas of Liverpool and delivered workshops combining writing, discussion, performance, music, and artistic expression.
Through collaborative activities and spoken word practice, young people developed original pieces inspired by themes such as identity, belonging, equality, and community. The programme provided a safe, supportive space where participants could build confidence, express themselves freely, and connect with others, culminating in the creation and sharing of their own creative work.
What Impact Did We Make?
Through Rewrite the Streets, we delivered 25 creative writing and spoken word sessions across 5 underserved communities in Liverpool, providing positive, diversionary activities for young people who may be at risk of antisocial behaviour.
Key Statistics
25 Sessions Delivered
5 Underserved Communities Reached
72 Young People Engaged
59 Participants from Liverpool City Region
13 Participants from Sefton Borough
53% of participants identified as being from Global Majority backgrounds
47% of participants identified as White British/White Other
By creating safe and creative spaces for self-expression, the programme successfully engaged a diverse group of young people, helping them build confidence, practice creativity as a form of self-expression, and strengthen their connection to their communities.
How did it go?
This grant has made a meaningful difference to the lives of participants by providing a safe, creative space where young people aged 13-18 could explore their experiences, express themselves, and build confidence. Through the Rewrite the Streets programme, participants engaged in creative writing, spoken word, music, and collaborative storytelling, developing skills in communication, teamwork, and self-expression. Many reported increased confidence in sharing their ideas, stronger connections with peers, and a greater sense of belonging within their communities. By providing constructive outlets for emotion, the programme supported participants’ wellbeing and helped reduce vulnerability to negative influences, offering positive alternatives to antisocial behaviour.
The Rewrite the Streets session was a massive success. The facilitators were committed and passionate, which helped the young people (13+) transition from initial hesitancy to full engagement. They produced emotional and impressive work, finding a sense of empowerment and teamwork while having fun. In terms of improvements, a longer programme with more flexible times would be the only recommendation to get even more out of the experience, though I recognize that funding constraints are a factor.’ Sam Cowperthwaite, Netherley Youth and Community Initiative.
14-year-old Jude stated that he felt good after the sessions, ‘it really made us, like, say how we feel, and let us get our voices out there’. Naomi said ‘I think that it was really good and it helped me like find out that I’m actually good at writing poems and music!’