By James Powell | 3 March 2026
We are delighted to announce that successful Blank Page Project creative workshops for young people will be returning to libraries soon.
20 workshops will be running from 30 March over the Easter holidays in the following libraries: Bury St Edmunds, Chantry, Gainsborough, Great Cornard, Ipswich County Library, Lowestoft, Sudbury, Stoke and Stowmarket.
Full information about the workshops and how to book can be found on the Blank Page Project section of our website. Parents and young people are welcome to book a place at one or more workshops.
The Blank Page Project was launched in March 2023 and is funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity Fund. The workshops aim to provide enriching and engaging art activities in libraries during the school holidays. Like all Holiday Activity Fund schemes, the idea is to provide something free and accessible during school holidays for families on lower incomes.
The workshops are free for young people eligible for benefit-related free school meals. There are also a limited number of places per workshop priced at £15 each for young people that are not eligible for free school meals. This includes lunch, drinks and snacks. You can check on the to gov.uk website see if you’re eligible for free school meals.
Erin Hamilton, Suffolk Community Libraries Children’s Librarian, said:
“We’re delighted to have funding for another year of Blank Page workshops. Thousands of young people have booked onto hundreds of workshops since we launched The Blank Page Project three years ago. They’ve been a huge success, not only in helping to build confidence and skills in young people but it’s also encouraged many young people to visit libraries so they can see what we have to offer them. This year we are also taking the opportunity to engage them in the National Year of Reading.”
Nadia Cenci, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“I’m very pleased this funding has been secured for another year so our libraries can again host Blank Page workshops. The workshops are a great way of supporting the creativity and wellbeing of children and young people in Suffolk.”
Some of the varied workshops coming up this Easter will include: Songwriting, special effects make up, zine making, rag wreath making, bookmaking, key chain charms, record your own CD, art journalling, character design and robots 101.
For more information about other opportunities available via the Holiday Activity Fund in Suffolk, visit the HAF Eequ page.