Membership schemes for young people – youth engagement and participation

The initial ideas for the scheme came from our participation in A Night Less Ordinary from 2009 – 2011. The idea of a membership scheme for young people, called The Guestlist, was taken by the Participation Programmer and a group of young people who were taking part in projects at HAC, doing work experience with us or who were our young producers at the beginning of 2012. During the summer term and holidays in 2012, the group developed the scheme, created a brand and a launch event, and designed what the scheme would offer. We launched it for people to join on the 8th September 2012.

The scheme has been very fast growing; The Guestlist had over 300 members in its first three weeks! As a result of the project, HAC has:

• A better offer for young people to get involved with us as an organisation and to help shape our programme
• More opportunities for young people to take part in the arts
• A broad base of young people we can communicate and consult with