Hosted by the University of Bristol and the first project of its kind in the UK, 80by18, harnesses the resources of Bristol’s different cultural, sporting, youth and heritage organisations, its technology and business communities and environmental and social movements, to create an online list showcasing 80 experiences that young people can achieve before they reach 18.
Keri Facer, Professor of Educational and Social Futures in the University’s Graduate School of Education and project lead, said: “The 80by18 project offers a way for young people to find out about and participate in varied experiences across the city that will support them to survive and thrive whatever the future may bring - from making dens in Leigh Woods, fixing bikes to making films and creating the next Wallace and Gromit. We have collaborators ranging from the City Farm to the MShed helping to make the city a powerful resource for young people's life and learning.
“We also hope the list will also be a valuable resource for teachers, parents, youth and community workers, mentors, and anyone working with young people in Bristol.”
People can get involved in the project by visiting the website and seeking inspiration to try out any of the listed activities, which range from rock climbing, learning a circus trick, seeing the law in action to making your own hot air balloon and a graffiti hunt.
Experiences are split into eight categories, comprising ‘City as playground’, ‘Change your world’, ‘Do it ourselves’, ‘Take a risk’, ‘Slow down’, ‘Survive and thrive’, ‘Back to the future’ and ’Random’. Those who complete all 80 of the listed experiences will receive a University of Bristol Certificate of Participation.
Declan Bird, a Year 10 pupil at Merchants Academy, said: “The project highlights there is more to Bristol than meets the eye as well as creating new opportunities for future generations. Personally, I'm looking forward to doing things that I don't usually do, like rock climbing.”
The city-wide project, co-ordinated by the University of Bristol’s Graduate School of Education, is supported as part of Professor Keri Facer’s Arts and Humanities Research Council Connected Communities Fellowship with support from a number of partner organisations from the third sector, cultural, community, business and educational sectors of the city, these include Lighting up Learning, South Bristol Consortium for Young People, Cabot Institute, Windmill Hill City Farm, Watershed, MShed, Ablaze and UWE Bristol.
For further information about the project please contact: educ-80by18@bristol.ac.uk