As part of our mission at Unloc, we encourage young people to think about important world issues, and the impact that they – as young changemakers, can have. Our new ‘Who’s To Say? Portsmouth‘ project has just launched, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!
Earlier this year, at the start of 2021, we put together a bid for this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) which will be hosted in Glasgow in November.
With our sustainability focus in mind we pitched for the ‘Green Zone’, which is managed by the UK government and is a platform for the general public to have their voices heard. Our proposal was to create a youth verbatim theatre performance utilising the local voices of Portsmouth and their words on climate change, focusing on resilience and adaptation.
Although this initial bid was not successful, the idea was also pitched to Scott Ramsay, a theatre-maker, Producer, and Director of People and Stories, who is working with the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council to produce ‘Portsmouth Climate Festival’, which will frame the city’s response to the issues and opportunities surrounding COP26.
We are thrilled to announce that our idea was accepted and programmed into the Portsmouth Climate Festival for November, and thus ‘Who’s to Say? Portsmouth’ was born.
Who’s to Say? is taking a ‘super local’ approach of empowering and utilising the voices of a whole generation specific to the city of Portsmouth; whether that be local residents, those who work and/or study here, or even those who have previously spent time in the area, holidaying on our beaches, or simply passing through on their travels to France, Spain, or the Channel Islands via Portsmouth’s International Port.
When asked about his thoughts on the Who’s To Say project, Scott Ramsay said:
“The challenges around climate change are significant and we need to inspire everyone across our communities to take part; Who’s to Say? is a great example of wider engagement and providing a platform for voices of all ages.”
Portsmouth is the second most densely populated city in the UK, beaten only by inner London. This means tightly packed streets, narrow roads, and less open spaces for air to dissipate, resulting in car exhaust fumes adding to the city’s clean air problem.
The Who’s To Say? Portsmouth project looks to gain your opinions, thoughts, wisdom and words on climate change, how it is affecting you personally, as well as how you think Portsmouth is tackling this current issue, considering that the location has unique climate change challenges, particularly in a UK context.
Who’s to Say? will then culminate in the creation of a verbatim theatre piece, using these collected words from across the city to produce an original script and build a performance in co-production with young people.
They will go on to perform the piece and showcase how the people of Portsmouth feel impacted by climate change, how you are adapting and what your hopes for the future are. There will be a focus on ‘resilience’; using your words, sharing your thoughts, and telling your stories of climate change within the UK’s Island City.
Leading on this fantastic project is our Unloc Programme Facilitator for Leadership Skills and Student Voice, Jessi Wilson. Jessi said:
“I’m delighted to be producing this project on behalf of Unloc. I am incredibly passionate about theatre and performance in my personal life, and so to bring this into my ‘day job’ is a dream come true.”
“I’m so grateful to everyone for supporting this venture, especially when I first pitched the idea and couldn’t quite clarify what the end result would be… and I still don’t know! The magic of this project is that until we get into co-production with the incredible young people of the city, no one will really know how this will all turn out!
“What we do know is that it’ll be a verbatim theatre piece, something I adore and have utilised in my own work previously. What better way to bring the actual voices of the people of Portsmouth to life than to channel them through the future generations of the city in an original and unique production.”
As the project progresses be sure to follow Who’s To Say? Portsmouth on social media here:
Twitter: @WhosToSayPorts
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhosToSayPorts
Instagram: @WhosToSayPorts
If you live in Portsmouth and want to find out more about how you can do your part, be more sustainable, and help protect the environment then click here to visit Portsmouth Climate Action for a whole host of advice and support.
About People & Stories
People and Stories is a UK-based creative company, established in 2020 to create, collaborate and cultivate a range of shared experiences. We make new work, for UK communities and venues. We celebrate people, their creativity, heritage and stories. And we support and develop ideas, places and projects, and environmental sustainability.
People and Stories is led by Scott Ramsay, a theatre-maker, producer and collaborator of over thirty-years-experience, having worked with numerous companies, including Chester Gateway, Edinburgh Festivals, English Touring Theatre, Harlow Playhouse, the National Theatre, New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, Perth Theatre, Phoenix Dance Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, BBC and Grampian TV, and over 70 arts venues, nationally and internationally.
Scott is an acclaimed writer and director of accessable shows for families, children and young people. He has previously developed courses and training for Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and University West of England, has served as Business Advisor for Arts and Business South West, and as Trustee of Bristol’s Kingswood Foundation (Creative Youth Network).
To find out more about all the exciting projects that People & Stories are involved with simply click here!
