BARS IN THE PARK
CHISPA CIC AND KINGS JAM FESTIVAL LAUNCHED THE NEWLY BUILT GLOUCESTER BAR PARK IN OCTOBER 2024 WITH THE DYNAMIC ONE-DAY EVENT BARS IN THE PARK
Bars in the Park was a one-day celebration of culture, creativity, and community empowerment, led by CHISPA CIC and Kings Jam Festival. This event marked the culmination of four years work to get The Bar Park built and installed. The event featured two major highlights: the long-awaited Multipurpose Gloucester Bar Park and the return of Kings Jam Festival. The event showcased performances, workshops and a freestyle movement jam from both local and international talent. Bars in the Park was a youth led collaboration between Chispa’s Youth Leadership team and The Music Work’s Youth advisory group. We aimed to empower young people and artists while transforming a public space into vibrant cultural hub for the community.
Support and Funding
This transformative event was made possible by funding and support from Gloucester City Council, CHISPA CIC, Big Give, and Together Gloucester.
The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO)
The bar park facility, a central feature of the event, has been built and supplied by The Great Outdoor Gym Company Ltd (TGO). A pioneer in outdoor fitness, TGO has been driving the boom in callisthenics—a form of urban gymnastics—since 2007. TGO's female founder, Georgie Delaney, MBE, expressed her excitement about the project: “With bar parks like these, urban gymnastics is free and available to all. We’ve seen fantastic results in London, and we’re excited to bring this to Gloucester, opening up opportunities for fitness and fun across the UK.”
Empowering Gloucester’s Youth and Artists
Bars in the Park was more than just a celebration; as with all Chispa’s projects and programmes it was a catalyst for youth empowerment and leadership. It created a space and opportunities for Gloucester-based talent to showcase their skills, while offering pathways for further growth in the creative industries. It was a packed program of arts and activities including workshops and performances from nationally acclaimed artists and emerging Gloucester talent. In addition, the day included: a Community chase tag competition, Parkour, calisthenics, tricking, and breaking workshops, Showcases by renowned organisations such as Upswing and Your Next Move, highlighting the energy and creativity of Gloucester’s youth. Local vendors offered a range of food and merchandise, supporting the local economy and creating opportunities for small businesses.
Addressing Youth Challenges: Combatting Antisocial Behaviour and Supporting Mental Health
The launch of the Bars in the Park project came at a critical time for young people in the UK. In recent years, the country has seen a significant reduction in youth services and funding, with closures of youth clubs and cuts to community programs leaving young people without essential support. These closures have contributed to a rise in youth mental health issues, antisocial behaviour, and youth violence.
This project aims to combat these issues head-on by giving young people ownership of a community space where they can build their leadership skills, develop as artists, and contribute positively to their environment. By creating opportunities for young people to engage in structured, meaningful activities, Bars in the Park serves as a proactive response to the challenges facing today’s youth.