Warwickshire Libraries are celebrating the success of their 'Our Freedom: Then and Now', project, including in Lillington.

The project has brought together communities across the county to explore and share personal stories of freedom, and what it means today, through creative workshops and celebration events. 

Funded by Future Arts Centres via Arts Council England, the project with Warwickshire Libraries is part of a national initiative to celebrate freedom around the 80th anniversary of VE Day.  

Warwickshire Libraries successfully bid for funding to engage with four locations across the county including Atherstone, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Lillington.  

Artist Heidi Pendergrast is currently leading creative workshops at Lillington Youth Centre and St Paul's C of E Primary School in Nuneaton, exploring what freedom means to young people today. 

The workshops take a new poem: 'Freedom Road' by Simon Armitage as a starting point for discussion and creative exploration about the meaning, impact and understanding of freedom in today's world.

One teacher noted that the children were able to create 'astonishing' artworks with Heidi.   

Two further celebration events are planned to complete the project.   

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Working with Nuneaton-based artist Heidi Pendergrast of Arts in Action, Warwickshire Libraries has so far delivered multiple workshops followed by two highly successful celebration events. 

A celebration event at St Mary's Church in Atherstone in September saw 100 percent of the 24 attendees report feeling happier after taking part, with 94 percent experiencing a positive impact on their health and wellbeing.

The event showcased a specially created zine created by a group of women who took part in workshops at Atherstone Library, featuring reflections from their discussions, as well as poetry and personal stories.  

One participant praised the library's role in making the project possible: "What a wonderful event; the project was so engaging, and the zine really reflects the hours of discussion in our group. How lovely to have a celebration event to mark the publication of the zine. Huge thanks to Heidi and Warwickshire Library Service." 

Cllr Bannister, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Localities, added:  "The 'Our Freedom: Then and Now' project shows just how vital our libraries are as community hubs - places where generations come together to share stories, reflect on our history, and celebrate the values that unite us.

"Eighty years after VE Day, this moment of reflection reminds us that freedom is for everyone, and our libraries are at the heart of that mission - supporting wellbeing, sparking creativity, and strengthening connections.

"It's inspiring to see such positive responses, and we look forward to continuing these celebrations with our communities."  

The film is now available to the public and can be seen here. 

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