AN ARTS project marking 100 years of votes for women is coming to Dorset - thanks to a funding boost.

The Arts Development Company is joining the national celebration Vote 100 thanks to funding from the Women's Vote Centenary Grant Scheme - and they are joining forces with the Dorset Race Equality Council and Development Education in Dorset (DEED) to get the project off the ground locally.

The partnership will work with young women aged 16 to 30 from local secondary schools and Gypsy, Romany and Traveller Communities to create a new piece of theatre exploring their perspectives on citizenship and democracy.

Sarah James, chief executive of the ADC said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of a national programme celebrating such a significant moment in time and to collaborate with some of Dorset’s most marginalised women to build their confidence for political engagement, find a collective voice and reimagine their communities and their future.”

Through a series of creative workshops, the young women will come together and creatively explore the similar challenges and barriers to voting and taking part in local decision-making processes.

Nathalie Sherring, from Dorset Race Equality Council, said: “We are also delighted that this project will target local schools, as educating young people is how we will create positive change in our society.”

The results of these explorations will be shared as a theatrical performance in Dorset to an invited audience. A set of free online learning resources, inspired by the project, will also be made available, developed by our partner DEED.

"This project will provide our local secondary schools with a great opportunity to empower their students and help young women find their voice through decision-making, participation and leadership," added Louise Boston-Mammah, Programme Co-ordinator from DEED

As part of the project, the participants will be drafting a mini-manifesto with partners and the local authority to continue to ensure young women’s voices are represented in local democracy.

Andrew Parry, Dorset County Council Cabinet Member for education, learning and skills, said: “Encouraging young people to take an active part in decision-making and participation in their local communities is vital for the future of Dorset. The Council is very pleased to hear about this additional funding and wants to encourage connections with the Dorset Youth Parliament.”

The project officially starts in September 2018 and is one of 17 projects from across the UK that is supported by The Women’s Vote Centenary Grant Scheme.

Visit www.womensvotecentenaryfund.co.uk