Megan

Hi, I’m Megan! I’m 23 and currently doing my MA in Heritage Studies. I’ve got a real passion for history and novelty socks. I once read 24 books in a month.

Being involved in the Festival has been a great creative outlet for those lockdown blues, having a chance to socialise and feel like I’m contributing to something even from the comfort of my own home.

For other young people, my advice would be: ‘just go for it! What’s the worst that could happen?

Sunjoo

Hi I’m Sunjoo, and I enjoy doing art, mainly pencil/pen drawings. I have a passion for dogs, seeing as I have 4 myself! I also enjoy seeing nature around me, like the birds I see in my back garden.

The Festival in has meant so much to me; I’ve met new people and I’ve also made some great friends too! I’ve enjoyed meeting up with the team at the Bolton museum before lockdown. However, due to covid, I’ve not seen them in person, but to me just seeing them on our online meetings means a lot.

So, I now move on to this question; if I was to give some advice to the young people (like me) what would it be? Well, my answer to that is to never give up hope. I know that times are tough now, but don’t lose hope. As long as you hold onto that little bit of hope, you’ll always see that lantern of light in the dark.

Monty

Hi I’m Monty and I’m 15. I like playing on my Xbox, cooking and anything to do with medieval times. For me doing the festival represents the power that young people have. It has also been a personal development for me and allowed me to develop my own skills.

Miranda

Hello!, I’m Miranda! I’m 17 years old and I love to sing, draw and write! I love a variety of animals – especially cats, bees and bunnies – and I’m obsessed with ancient Greece and Rome and their mythology.

Being a part of the Festival of Hope has been an amazing experience for me – I’ve met some really creative, motivated and hard-working young people and I feel a lot more confident about sharing my ideas. Working on the project has also been a great thing to look forward to in lockdown!

To other young people, I’d just like to say do what you love! Life is much easier and more fun when you take the opportunities that inspire you and make you happy and excited!

Lexi

Hi! My name is Lexi and I am 19 years old, a few fun facts about me are that  I am bilingual and speak fluent Hungarian and English, I study fashion design while mentoring young people in art classes and practice martial arts. For me, working on the team for the festival of hope has meant expanding and connecting with the most diverse people I know, learning about Bolton’s heritage and being part of a brand new project where my voice can be heard. My advice to people would be to take time to yourself,  switch off from life’s buzz or social media to find something that motivates and drives you forward.  Be bold and get creative.

Hannah

Hi my name is Hannah, I’m 19

3 fun facts about myself: I was homeschooled until the age of 16, I’m left handed, I have 4 cats and one dog which makes my household a very busy one!

I’ve always had a real passion for history and heritage so it was amazing to be able to be part of a festival that expressed that through hope. During lockdown the festival has maintained my enthusiasm and optimism especially when there were so many negative and horrific events happening across the world, it feels amazing to be able to bring something really hopeful to the community and I hope it brings people the same amount of enthusiasm, optimism and hope it brought me.

My word of advice to other young people:

Never let anyone tell you that your opinion is invalid, that your voice shouldn’t be listened to and that your dreams are too ambitious. Have hope and nothing will be impossible.

Jayden

Hi, I’m Jayden and I’m 14 years old.

Here are just a few interesting facts about me. Firstly, I have an interest in the creative and arts industry, I enjoy doing drama and also working with others.

Another fact, which is also related to the creative side of me is that I play piano and currently at grade 4. The final fun fact is that I play a variety of sports such as cricket, water polo, swimming and hockey.

Being part of the festival of Hope has meant a lot to me, it has given me, and other young people, a chance to speak up and get my voice heard. I have really enjoyed being part of the festival so far and have learnt so much from this experience. I have gathered new skills and had a glance of what happens on the other side of the organisation of festivals.

If I had to give one piece of advice to other young people, it would be to just get your voice heard, young people aren’t just people to avoid and you should also have your say in the world.

Cecilia

Hello! My name is Cecilia, I’m 16 years old and I’m heading into my 1st year of college.

Three facts about me are that I like to both play and listen to music. I can play a few instruments, including; the cello, guitar, ukulele and piano. As well as music I really enjoy films, my favourite is Spirited Away. I also like to sew.

Being involved in The Festival of Hope has helped build that belief that young people can do anything. We, as the young people, are leading this project. It’s also helped keep me sane by giving me something to strive towards during these past few months in lockdown.

If I was to give a piece of advice to someone my age is; Treat people with kindness, it pays off in the end.

Aleena

Hi, I’m Aleena and I’m 18 years old. A few fun facts about me are I’m an animal lover, an avid book lover and spend my free time creating digital art. Being a part of the Festival of Hope has reinforced to me that the voices of young people are powerful and matter regardless of what others think. My advice for young people is stay true to yourself, don’t care what others think and just go for it.