Looking for something to do after school, college or during the holidays? Got a couple of hours before work or meeting friends?
Our Youth Collective Network (still a work in progress!) is a new online and in-person space for young people aged 13–25 in the local area who want somewhere to be creative, make social or professional connections, or just hang out.
We’ve got some ideas for relaxed activities based on evaluation and consultation work we’ve done already. See our programme below for what's coming up. The first workshops are experiments to see if we’re on the right track – or if we’ve drifted out to sea!
We’ll be honest – we’re still figuring out what this space can be and do. We’re not even sure what to call it yet, so we’d love your input. Join us to help shape the space and tell us what would make it useful, comfortable, and enjoyable for you.
Portraits for your pocket
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Monday 16 October 2026 | Drop in between 11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Rethink Space, National Maritime Museum | Ages 13-24
Portrait miniatures are small artworks of people. They were made to remember someone. In this creative workshop, you can use collage to make your own portrait. We'll use these meaningful objects of love and identity to explore LGBTQ+ histories and hidden stories.
We will have tea, coffee, music, art materials, and fidget toys. Our friendly team will be there to help you take part and answer your questions. This team includes some young people who helped make this workshop and our Producer, Amy.
Click here to book your free ticket
This workshop is relaxed. You can make noise, move around, or take breaks at any time. There is a level-access accessible toilet near the café, about 5 meters away. We can’t provide one-to-one support, but you’re welcome to attend with your support worker. Please contact Amy at youngpeople@rmg.co.uk for more information about taking part comfortably and safely.
The stories behind our new Youth Collective
The idea to develop this project grew from work we co-produced with a team of Peer Researchers, consultant for arts education and evaluation Rachel Moss, and Youth Programme Producer Amy van Zyl, in autumn 2024.
Our Peer Researchers – Amelia, Fadumo, Lara, Stephanie – were six young people aged under 30, paid and trained to co-produce this project. Together, we went out into the local community to deliver workshops and surveys, asking other people aged between 13 and 25 what they wanted from our museum sites.
In total, 200 young people were interviewed or surveyed across multiple youth hubs and public spaces in Greenwich, equating to 210 hours of paid work for local young people at rates above the London Living Wage, plus travel expenses.
Some of our key findings from this and our ongoing evaluation and consultation is that young people would like more:
- Relaxed and safe spaces to make new social connections
- More opportunities to build professional networks with established organisations as well as people at the beginning of their careers, who they can relate to
- Relevant stories at our museums which speak to the diverse experiences young people bring locally and globally
Young People at Royal Museums Greenwich
Find events, activities and projects for young people and youth groups at Royal Museums Greenwich.