More than 400 teenage girls took part in a month-long festival that aims to make York parks a more welcoming and safe space.
The returning Make Space For Girls Festival York, which took place across June in Rowntree Park, Homestead Park and West Bank Park, saw a fantastic turn-out for 2024 – with over 400 teenage girls taking part in the activities.
The festival featured over 30 events, including sports, exercise, dance, wellbeing sessions, arts and crafts, photography, performing arts, and nature sessions.
The activities were primarily aimed at girls aged 10-18, with some suitable for younger girls and women too.
The programme’s aim was to create fun, social interaction, and new experiences in a safe and welcoming outdoor environment.
Feedback from this year’s festival has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’, with one mother and daughter even travelling from Teeside to attend some of the events. “We absolutely love the ethos of the festival, which spurred us on to travel to visit!
“My daughter gained a lot from the sessions – especially the History of Girl Power session. I could see she felt empowered by it all and it has given her the confidence to speak about topics she wouldn’t otherwise discuss.
“She has started visiting our local park with a few friends, before the festival she wasn’t confident enough to go without a parent.”
The ongoing Make Space for Girls York project, led by Abigail Gaines of the Friends of Rowntree Park, is built on research, engagement, and co-creation with local teenage girls.
The project was inspired by the research that indicates that teenage girls’ use of parks and open spaces declines as they grow older, compared to boys. The project aims to reverse that trend.
As well as the festival, the project also includes a development of a dedicated area in Rowntree Park equipped with new features requested by the girls themselves.
The 2024 festival was supported with funding from Benenden Health and the National Lottery Community Fund, with some additional support from The Mount School. Abigail is now looking for funding to enable the festival to continue in 2025.
Find out more about the project at the Rowntree Park website.