North Shields has always been shaped by its young people — their creativity, energy and ideas. Yet too often, young voices are missing from how the town is represented, remembered and imagined.
Next Gen is a proposed new project from I Love North Shields in collaboration with Miriam Robson, designed to change that.
Currently in development and subject to funding, Next Gen aims to create a youth-led edition of the I Love North Shields magazine, co-created with young people and rooted in their lived experience of the town today.
This is not about telling young people what to say. It’s about creating the conditions for them to speak for themselves.
What is Next Gen?
Next Gen is a co-created creative media project that would give young people the opportunity to explore North Shields through writing, photography, art, interviews and ideas — and to see their work published and celebrated.
The project is being developed as a collaboration between young people, youth organisations and creative practitioners, with I Love North Shields acting as the platform and facilitator.
At its core, Next Gen is about:
- Young people shaping how their town is seen
- Creativity as a tool for confidence and connection
- Building pride in place across generations
Who it’s for
The project is intended for young people aged approximately 12–25, with space for different interests, abilities and confidence levels.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the proposal allows for young people to take on different roles — from content creation to shaping the overall direction — depending on what excites them.
No previous experience would be needed. Curiosity, openness and a willingness to get involved are what matter most.
What the project could involve
Subject to funding, Next Gen is being designed around a short, intensive programme combining:
- Creative workshops
- Mentoring and guidance
- Hands-on content creation
- Collaborative decision-making
Rather than replicating school or formal education, the focus is on learning by doing — with young people contributing ideas, shaping themes and exploring what matters to them.
The content would reflect real life in North Shields, seen through young eyes: the good, the complicated, the hopeful.
When and where
The current proposal explores running the main programme as a summer project, with sessions based in North Shields and delivered in partnership with local youth organisations.
In the lead-up, we’re also exploring lighter-touch engagement — such as introductory sessions or small creative activities — to help shape the project alongside the young people who may take part.
All timings, locations and formats will be shaped by funding and partnership discussions.
Why this matters
Young people are often described as the “future” of a place — but rarely invited into the present.
Next Gen is about:
- Making space for young voices now
- Supporting confidence, skills and self-expression
- Strengthening young people’s connection to North Shields
- Creating a more honest, inclusive picture of the town
For North Shields, this is about long-term cultural health: nurturing talent, encouraging belonging, and ensuring regeneration includes the next generation.
What could come out of it
While the centrepiece of the proposal is a youth-led magazine edition, Next Gen is being designed with flexibility.
Depending on interests, capacity and support, the project could also explore:
- Digital content
- Events or sharing moments
- Creative outputs beyond print
The emphasis is on quality, care and meaningful experience, not scale for scale’s sake.
A project built with the community
Next Gen is still in development — and that’s intentional.
We’re currently in conversation with youth organisations, advisors and potential partners to shape the project responsibly and sustainably. Funding will determine the final scale and format, but the vision is clear: young people at the centre, supported properly.
Call-out: Want to be part of Next Gen?
We’re inviting expressions of interest from:
- Young people who might like to take part
- Youth organisations interested in collaborating
- Creative practitioners open to mentoring or facilitation
- Businesses and funders who want to invest in young people and place
- Community members with ideas, skills or support to offer
If this project resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Get in touch: collabs@ilovenorthshields.com
🌐 Find out more: ilovenorthshields.com
Next Gen is a proposal — but with the right support, it has the potential to become something lasting for North Shields and the young people who call it home.
