Cheltenham Alliance for Race Equity is launching a competition in schools for Black History Month 2023.

The challenge, called My Voice, is for young people to tell the story of what it's like to live in Cheltenham, by writing or recording a monologue of up to 400 words or making a picture.

Cllr Flo Clucas, cabinet member for safety and communities at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: "We are delighted to support this challenge and we look forward to hearing and seeing the perspectives of Cheltenham's young people from all backgrounds about what it is like to live here."

The challenge is open to all young people aged four to 18 years. Up to 10 monologues or speeches and 10 pictures from Cheltenham's young people will be chosen to be published in a booklet.

These speeches and pictures will also be read out or shown on screen at the VOICEBOX event at Cheltenham Literature Festival in October 2023, which is Black History Month. Young people and their families will be invited to attend.

Florence Nyasamo Thomas, of Lives of Colour and chair of Cheltenham Alliance for Race Equity, said: "Black History Month aims to promote and celebrate the contributions of those with African and Caribbean heritage. This year, as part of the month, we want to hear and share stories and perspectives from young people from all ethnicities about their experiences of living in Cheltenham."

The chosen entrants will receive a trophy and multi store-voucher and their schools will be presented with a certificate from the mayor of Cheltenham.

The closing date is June 30 and the winning entrants will be notified before the end of the summer term.

Cheltenham Alliance for Race Equity is working with Cheltenham Borough Council, The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festivals and VOICEBOX on the project.

For more information and to enter the competition, go to https://haveyoursay.cheltenham.gov.uk/strategy/my-voice or email info@raceequitycheltenham.com