The Base is a brand new facility in the basement of the Guildhall
University of Portsmouth students are running workshops to engage young people in a new creative space in the city’s historic Guildhall.
The Base, a brand new facility in the basement of the Guildhall, is for people aged 11-25 to meet and explore their creative potential.
Interior designed by HemingwayDesign, The Base provides recording rehearsal and performing spaces, a DJ booth, and study and hangout spaces.
The partnership between The Base and the University of Portsmouth will see students setting up a series of workshops designed not only to teach practical skills but also to inspire and empower young participants.
It was instigated by Lesley Batchelor and Tilly Hemingway. Lesley used to be an interiors team leader at HemingwayDesign and now teaches on the MA interior architecture and design course.
She said: “I saw the potential for our design students across disciplines to get involved with design and craft based workshops to compliment the Guildhall’s performative workshop programme.”
The young people show off their cushions, which will be used to decorate The Base
Lesley worked alongside Belinda Mitchell, Senior Lecturer in Interior Design, to facilitate the workshops, mentor and support the students, and connect all parties involved.
Belinda said: “This partnership is a reciprocal arrangement where everybody is benefiting - it connects our students to a live project in Portsmouth and it allows the young people taking part to learn new skills.
“Our students are passionate about sharing their knowledge and encouraging the next generation of designers and artists. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning and community engagement.
“We hope that it will really build the confidence of both those delivering the workshops and those attending.”
Earlier this month the first workshop was delivered by MA interior architecture and design student Louise Williams and first year fashion student Hannah Hatchard. The aim of the workshop was to design and make cushion covers that would be used to decorate the Base. Eight young people attended.
Louise said: “Throughout the workshop, participants were excited and engaged. It was incredible to stand back and simply observe the peace combined with a subtle buzz of conversation in the room.
“You could see each person felt pride in the cushions they had made and at the end of the workshop they left smiling and excitedly talking about their cushions. The result was a beautiful array of unique cushions that truly reflected the personalities of the participants, putting a little piece of themselves at the heart of the Base.”
A participant practises stitching on an embroidery hoop
Lesley added: “I’m immensely proud of Louise and Hannah who designed and conducted the workshop in such an inspiring, user-friendly and interesting way that they put all age groups at ease.”
Due to the success and interest in this first making workshop, the Guildhall is now planning
a new craft club at The Base. Future workshops will cover a range of creative disciplines
including interior architecture, fashion design, and graphic arts.
Youth Arts Coordinator for The Guildhall Trust, Jaz Manville, said: “This partnership is such a lovely opportunity for students to engage with the local community and for young people to consider thinking about University.
“The workshop delivered by Louise and Hannah was one of the loveliest, best prepared and most productive workshops I've seen for a long time.
“It has been really great to have worked with the University on this project; we all really appreciate their approach and dedication to it. We are excited to see how future students' workshops will inspire and engage young people, helping them to discover new talents and interests.”
The participants concentrate on their cushion-making
Post-pandemic, it has been widely reported that young people have become more disengaged and isolated, with one in four suffering heightened anxiety and poor mental health. The Base aims to remove barriers to engagement and offer a nurturing environment for all, prioritising young people who are typically under-represented in creative provisions and who may not usually have access to creative opportunities.
Louise added: “I believe that creative workshops across music, dance, drama and the arts can be incredibly beneficial for young people. They boost creativity whilst enhancing problem-solving and social skills through teamwork. These activities support emotional well-being by providing an outlet for self-expression and stress relief, while also building self-esteem, away from an academic setting.
“For The Guildhall Trust to be able to provide not only a space, but a programme of workshops at the heart of the city for young people is an incredible opportunity for those looking to meet new people or simply try something new.”
The facilities at The Base include a band rehearsal room with backline equipment, a small studio with a DJ mixing space, a large AV suite with specialist software, a performance space and a lounge/exhibition area.
For more information about the workshops and to sign up, please visit The Base website or contact hello@thebaseguildhall.com.