The Museum of Liverpool has introduced a new series of monthly craft workshops designed to help young adults connect, create, and build friendships in a welcoming environment. Titled 'Museum Meet-Ups', the sessions are aimed at individuals aged 18 to 25, offering a space to learn new skills and meet new people.
The programme includes dedicated sessions for those new to the city and for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Led by local facilitator Nicole Marnell, the workshops aim to provide a low-pressure social setting where creativity and conversation can flourish.
Key Takeaways
- What: New monthly 'Museum Meet-Ups' craft workshops.
- Where: Museum of Liverpool.
- Who: Young adults aged 18-25, with specific sessions for newcomers to Liverpool and the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Cost: £5 per ticket (£3 for concessions), with all materials provided.
- Goal: To offer a safe and creative space for young people to build community and friendships.
A New Space for Creativity and Connection
The Museum of Liverpool is launching 'Museum Meet-Ups', a new initiative aimed at fostering community among young adults. The monthly craft sessions provide a relaxed atmosphere for individuals aged 18 to 25 to engage in creative activities while meeting their peers.
The programme begins this October, with workshops scheduled to run until at least August of next year. Each session is designed to be accessible, requiring no prior artistic experience. The focus is as much on social interaction as it is on the craft itself.
To cater to specific groups, two distinct meet-ups are scheduled on workshop days. An 11 am session is tailored for people who are new to Liverpool, while a 2 pm session is designed for the LGBTQIA+ community. However, organisers stress that all young adults aged 18-25 are welcome at any session.
Workshop Details and Activities
Each workshop lasts for 90 minutes, providing ample time for both crafting and socialising. The ticket price of £5, or £3 for concessions, covers the cost of all necessary materials, making it an affordable outing for young people.
The planned activities are varied and unique. The first session will guide participants in making a hand-embroidered rosette. Future workshops will explore other crafts, including creating a custom tote bag and designing lino print cards.
Addressing a Generational Need
The project was developed in response to a perceived lack of informal, safe social spaces for young adults. The workshops aim to combat the intimidation and difficulty of making new friends in adulthood by providing a structured, activity-based environment.
The Vision of Facilitator Nicole Marnell
The driving force behind the Museum Meet-Ups is Nicole Marnell, a 24-year-old workshop facilitator from Wallasey. With eight years of experience leading craft workshops in museums, Marnell collaborated with National Museums Liverpool (NML) to develop the series.
The idea originated from a successful one-off embroidery workshop she led earlier in the year called ‘Queer sew and sew’. The positive atmosphere and easy interaction among participants highlighted a clear need for more consistent events of this nature.
"We had young people who were doing a little creative activity, making friends with each other, chit chatting, and it had a really lovely feel to it," Nicole explained. "We were saying how, in our generation, there are fewer and fewer of these spaces and opportunities."
This observation led to a conversation with NML's participation producer, Katie Lee, about establishing something more permanent. Marnell adds, "it would be nice to have something more consistent with a crafts club feeling to it, or something really cheap that people could come along to and try something new."
Creating a Safe and Inclusive Environment
A core principle of the Museum Meet-Ups is the creation of a non-judgmental and safe space. Nicole Marnell draws on her own life experiences to inform the programme's inclusive approach.
"My mum emigrated over here so I’m very aware of how difficult it is to integrate into a new community, and I’m queer myself and so have lived experience there," she said. This personal insight was crucial in designing sessions that specifically welcome newcomers and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Marnell emphasizes that the challenge of forming connections is a widespread issue for young adults today. "Beyond issues exclusive to those groups, making friends as an adult is scary and intimidating, so having somewhere that no matter who you are or where you come from is non-judgmental, safe, and hopefully a fun space to be in, is really important."
The Power of Crafting
The choice of a craft-based activity is deliberate. It serves as an icebreaker, making social interaction feel more natural and less forced. "A craft activity makes it less intimidating than if you were just going to a group with the aim of sitting down, having conversations and making friends," Marnell noted.
Mindful Benefits and Future Plans
Beyond the social aspect, the workshops tap into the therapeutic benefits of hands-on activities. Engaging in tasks like embroidery or working with simple materials like pom-poms can have a calming effect.
"Hands-on experience is very calming to an anxious mind, and you can have a laugh and have fun," Marnell stated. The goal is to create an environment that is both relaxing and enjoyable, allowing participants to de-stress while learning a new skill.
The Museum Meet-Ups are a long-term project, secured to run monthly for nearly a year. This consistency is key to building a genuine community, allowing regular attendees to form lasting bonds over time.
The unique craft choices, like the rosette-making, are intended to be a draw. "A lot of people have sat down with watercolours at some point but something like a rosette seems like a unique gift you can make and give," Nicole added, reflecting on the fun and quirky nature of the planned projects.
Interested individuals can find more information and book tickets through the National Museums Liverpool website. The sessions represent a new and thoughtful approach to museum programming, using cultural spaces to address contemporary social needs.