The Horsfall

08/06/2026

The Lowry have kindly offered us exhibition cases to share work during The Future Is Our Festival and this week's symposium.⁠
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It's exciting to have the opportunity to share how we work at The Horsfall, highlight the creative opportunities available to young people and make new connections, while also providing a platform for young artists to express themselves and share their creativity with wider audiences.⁠
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A huge thank you to for their support.⁠
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08/06/2026

Creativity has vast benefits and for some young people, it is feeling calm. For others, it is finding a way to express themselves, build confidence, process experiences or simply feel free to be who they are.⁠
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At The Horsfall, we hear time and again that creative spaces can help young people feel empowered, connected and able to achieve things they never thought possible.⁠
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Join us at this year's symposium to explore the powerful role creativity can play in supporting young people's mental health, wellbeing and sense of self.⁠
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Book your ticket via the link in bio:⁠
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985055640858⁠
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07/06/2026

10 years ago, The Horsfall opened its doors with a simple but innovative vision: a creative space where young people could shape conversations on their own terms, feel safe to be themselves and be supported by adults who embrace working in collaborative partnership with young people.⁠
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Today, as we celebrate a decade of creativity, connection and collective action, we're reflecting on what has been possible when young people are trusted, listened to and given space to create.⁠
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Here our Chief Executive Simone Spray shares some of her reflections on the last 10 years - from the hopes that inspired The Horsfall to the relationships, creativity and continuous learnings that shape our work.⁠
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As we look to the future, we'd love you to join us for our symposium as we explore:⁠
-What we've learned over the last decade⁠
-The impact of creative approaches to mental health and emotional wellbeing⁠
-The voices and experiences that have shaped The Horsfall⁠
-Where we go next in a changing world⁠
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Thank you to every young person, colleague, partner, artist and supporter who has been part of this journey.⁠
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Book your place at the symposium via the link in our bio:⁠
⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985055640858⁠
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07/06/2026

Young people already have creativity within them. Our role is to create spaces where it can be recognised, nurtured and celebrated.⁠
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When young people are encouraged to see themselves as creative, they begin to see themselves as contributors, changemakers and people with the power to shape the future. Creativity doesn't belong solely in arts and cultural spaces. It can influence every aspect of our lives, from the careers we pursue to the communities we build.⁠
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Join us at this year's symposium as we explore why creativity matters, how it supports mental health and wellbeing and why it deserves a place in policy, practice and the futures we imagine together.⁠
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Book your ticket via the link in bio:⁠
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985055640858⁠
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06/06/2026

The first in our series of Building Belonging in poetry community takeover events.📝💛🎤

In times of increasing global uncertainty we recognise the additional pressures young people are facing and the importance of us maintaining connection, and young people having acesss to spaces where they feel safe, can let go, express and make sense in community to process their experiences and the world around them.

The session explored building belonging through words, voice and solidarity and was such a beautiful day.

It was also wonderful to host our event in poetry library, inviting young people to a new space and reminding them all the libraries in the city are here for them to embrace. 💜📚

05/06/2026

"Join us for Community Takeover: 42nd Street at Manchester Poetry Library. Led by 42nd Street, this special takeover celebrates creativity, wellbeing and community, with young people sharing their voices through poetry, storytelling and the arts. Come along to connect, listen and be inspired in a welcoming space where creativity and self-expression take centre stage."

https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/event/community-takeover-42nd-street/

Please share with young people you think would enjoy a day or poetry, expression and connection. 💛

Join 42nd Street to connect, create and campaign through poetry and community. Come take part in the first event of 42nd Street’s ‘Building Belonging’ Poetry Project for young people aged 13-25. Whether you are a budding...

05/06/2026

It’s the last few days to see Creativity Can . A collaborative exhibition by The Horsfall at 42nd Street and artist Chloe Watts, celebrating the power of creative expression as a tool for wellbeing, connection and personal transformation.

Featuring as part of our annual The Future Is Ours Festival 2026 celebrating youth, voice, action, ideas and creativity from now until 9th June at the Inspire Gallery at Home.⁠
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“For me, creativity is not separate from living. It is a way of thinking, processing, and staying present. It offers a language for experiences that don’t always fit neatly into words, and a structure through which ideas can be explored collectively. ⁠
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The nine posters presented here draw on conversations with young people about what creativity means to them. Rather than defining creativity, this work creates space for multiple definitions to exist side by side - recognising creativity as expansive, personal and shaped by those who practice it every day.” - Chloe Watts / IG ⁠
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Look out for more news about The Future is Ours 2026 festival events on between Fri 24th May - 19th June at The Horsfall Gallery, Online, Fred Aldous and many more locations across Manchester.⁠
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04/06/2026

The Future is Ours Arts Festival 2026 returns for its seventh year, celebrating 10 years of our creative and cultural centre, The Horsfall:⁠
https://confidentials.com/manchester/the-future-is-ours-festival-returns-for-its-seventh-year?⁠
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"The Future is Ours Festival returns to Manchester once again this summer, bringing with it a city-wide arts programme championing young people’s voices and experiences. Created by young people’s mental health charity 42nd Street, the festival will showcase a programme of installations, exhibitions and events across the city."⁠
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Join us at The Horsfall gallery to see our 10 years of The Horsfall exhibition until 19th June. 💫
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03/06/2026

What can happen when young people are given space, permission and support to create?⁠
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At The Horsfall, we've seen young people grow in ways they choose for themselves - from popping into a creative session for the first time to leading projects, sharing their voices and discovering new possibilities.⁠
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In a world where so much of young people's lives can feel measured and assessed, creativity offers freedom. A space to explore, experiment, express and imagine different futures.⁠
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Join us at this year's symposium to discuss the role of creativity in supporting young people's mental health, wellbeing and sense of belonging.⁠
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Book your ticket via the link here:⁠
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985055640858⁠
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03/06/2026

When we created our street posters in 2024 one of the slogans that young people came back with was 'education is klling creativity'.⁠
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This is because they've not had access to creative space or art classes not attached to grades or their artistic ability being judged, which is often unintentionally sending the message that creativity belongs to some people and not others.⁠
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At 42nd Street and The Horsfall, we believe creativity is something we all have. It is how we learn, make sense of the world, express ourselves and connect with others. Every young person has creative potential and nurturing that creativity can play a powerful role in supporting mental health and wellbeing.⁠
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Join us at this year's symposium as we explore the role of creativity, lived experience and youth voice in shaping better futures for young people.⁠
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Book your ticket via the link here: ⁠ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985055640858⁠
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