On behalf of Lovebytes International Festival of Digital Arts and as parents, we’d just like to say how concerned we are to hear about the uncertain future of Cube. We really enjoy reading the magazine which we pick up at our local library.  The high production design makes it stand out on the shelves. If Cube was to stop publishing its paper based magazine this would not only be a great loss to young people across Sheffield, it would also send out the wrong signals about the way young people’s interests and opinions are valued in our city.

“If Cube was to stop publishing its paper based magazine this would not only be a great loss to young people across Sheffield, it would also send out the wrong signals about the way young people’s interests and opinions are valued in our city”.

Our children are younger than the target readership, but we find Cube a good way to introduce current issues and local culture. When we are working on the Lovebytes Festival it’s great to see young Cube reporters taking an interest in events and interviewing artists and performers. This kind of active involvement in creative media is an excellent way for young people to develop their journalistic and media literacy skills.  In 2009 Lovebytes is organising a series of digital arts events for children in collaboration with the Sheffield Children's Festival. We were hoping to talk to Cube about how we might collaborate on some events and workshops, so we are shocked to read that Cube has had to be suspended. 

We have some excellent examples of cultural projects for children and young people which require greater support, including Cube, Sheffield Children's Festival and the Showcomotion Film Festival. We should be very proud of these and do all we can to maintain and develop them. These forward-thinking organisations improve the cultural environment of Sheffield and the region, making it a more competitive and attractive as a base for creative industries. We really hope that Cube can resume publishing very soon and look forward to working together in 2009. 

Jon Harrison and Janet Jennings
Directors, Lovebytes, www.lovebytes.org.uk

Having worked with Cube on a number of occasions as part of BBC Blast I know the project provides a great opportunity to young people who wish to pursue a career in journalism, writing or media.  I have been very impressed with the standard of work produced by the young people at Cube. Several have taken part in various creative workshops during BBC Blast and I have been impressed by their commitment and attitude. The magazine is a great read for any age and the content is very well researched and written. The website and audio side of the project also add a great deal.

Helen Bailey
Broadcast Journalist, BBC Radio Sheffield & BBC Blast

“We live in an age where it’s about ticking boxes and the practice is not looked at. Fortunately Cube genuinely does tick the boxes because you’ve got the quality of service and product and the quantity of young people who benefit”.

I have been a Youth Worker for many years and for the last few I’ve been working with young people who have been, or are, at risk of being sexually exploited. Earlier this year I was involved with Lyrical Magazine, which was made by care experienced young people and was supported by a team of dedicated workers including Vicky Morris of Cube Magazine.  Vicky’s experience from Cube was a driving force in the project’s success and she strove to offer the Lyrical team the same opportunities Cube has been offering in Sheffield for 5 years. It was an amazing piece of work by the young people who learnt valuable skills in team work, interaction, writing, commitment, research, interviewing, graphics etc., the list goes on. 

Anyone who knows Vicky or has read Cube Magazine will not be surprised at the praise I have just given. Any of the young people I know who’ve worked at Cube, rate it.  Myself and my colleagues like the philosophy of the project because we know young people come out of it with real skills, self esteem and social and vocational education.  The same philosophy made a big difference to young people through the Lyrical Magazine project.  Young people in care often have something important to say and an emotional need to say it. They need the type of opportunity Cube offers.

We live in an age where it’s about ticking boxes and the practice is not looked at. Fortunately Cube genuinely does tick the boxes because you’ve got the quality of service and product and the quantity of young people who benefit. There are virtually no services like this left for young people in Sheffield.  It’s necessary this groundbreaking ‘jewel in crown’ continues and builds on the good work it’s been doing with more young people.

Janet Holmes
Youth Worker, Sheffield

“In a time when youth culture is distrusted, feared and reviled this magazine re-asserts the positivity that abounds in the younger generation. If any magazine should be sponsored and supported, this is it”.

Absolutely brilliant! Cube is the most positive, literate, interesting and graphically stimulating 'youth' publication I've ever read. It is responsible, intelligent, focused and devoid of the crap that can often infiltrate teenage-targeted literature. The contributors are 'wise' beyond their years and it was a pleasure to read their articles and be uplifted by their positivity.

In a time when youth culture is distrusted, feared and reviled this magazine re-asserts the positivity that abounds in the younger generation. If any magazine should be sponsored and supported, this is it. What better way to  give a voice to our future 'movers and shakers'?

Mike Holmes
Curriculum Team Leader for Graphics & Multimedia, Sheffield College

“I have no doubt that being given the opportunity to act as journalists -conducting interviews and research - awakes an intellectual and social curiosity”.

As a professional writer, I have worked with young people from Cube Magazine and on every occasion have been impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment and professionalism of the young people. I've seen Cube go from strength to strength, growing from a lively, well-produced magazine to a media package that includes an extensive website and online radio. This is almost entirely down to the drive of Cube's Coordinator Vicky Morris.

Cube provides a voice for young people which is lacking elsewhere in Sheffield. Many of the young writers come from backgrounds and schools which are looked down upon in a society which judges education on league tables. I have no doubt that being given the opportunity to act as journalists -conducting interviews and research - awakes an intellectual and social curiosity. Shaping a piece for publication, whether poetry, prose or journalism, hones written English, and seeing the finished product gives a sense of pride and achievement. Having spoken to some of Cube's young writers, I know the project has provided aspiration where previously there was none.

For three years I worked on a successful national journalism project for young people called Children's Express, an after-school enterprise.  It enabled young people from all backgrounds to explore, research and write their own stories for national and regional newspapers and magazines. Sadly, the Sheffield branch of Children's Express closed down when city council funding was withdrawn at short notice. Cube is currently the only outlet for writing by young people in Sheffield. It would be a crime if it were to go the same way.

Carolyn Waudby
Travel Writer, Poet and Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Sheffield Hallam University

Just wanted to say that Cube is popular here at Highfield Library, all copies go out very quickly. Great to see an attractive publication aimed at and written by young people. Hope it will return.
Julia Eastburn

Highfield Children's Library Assistant

“Cube has a 'Wow' factor which always comes across when I show it in young writers' and readers' groups in the region, and its partnership with Sheffield Young Writers has been a valuable one for all concerned”.

Cube is one of my favourite magazines. I read each issue cover to cover. It's a vital outlet for young people's views, experiences and opinions. It provides a chance for older readers to appreciate the creativity and concerns of the contributors, from whom they may feel alienated because of fears and stereotypes generated in the mainstream media. It’s professional, multi-media approach to design, presentation and work experience dramatically increases young people's confidence and aspirations. Cube has a 'Wow' factor which always comes across when I show it in young writers' and readers' groups in the region, and its partnership with Sheffield Young Writers has been a valuable one for all concerned. There are very few similar opportunities for young people's journalism and creative writing to be showcased and distributed to a wide audience, and Cube is a crucial part of the ground-breaking work being done in this region.

River Wolton
Writer & mentor
Derbyshire Poet Laureate 2007 – 2009


I am very sorry to hear that you have run out of funding. I thought Cube was one of the best initiatives to come out of Sheffield. The quality was always high and students who spent time on it always came back incredibly enthusiastic. Another significant value was for students from totally different types of schools to be working together. This has always been a very important aspect for Abbeydale because the school has been subject to prejudice for a long time based on historic rumours rather than fact and it was a chance for students to disprove these prejudices. I wish you luck in your quest for new funding.

Cate Bull
Head Teacher, Abbeydale Grange School


“Today's young people have so many issues regarding their identities but unfortunately they don't find safe places to explore them. I’ve seen a positive attitude development in Hina since Cube and she is no longer shy to discuss issues related to who she is.”

Today's young people have so many issues regarding their identities but unfortunately they don't find safe places to explore them. I will be forever greatly indebted for what you in particular were able to do for my daughter's personal development. I want to thank the Cube project for providing invaluable learning opportunities for Hina, who I believe benefited greatly from the project's activities. I’ve seen a positive attitude development in Hina since Cube and she is no longer shy to discuss issues related to who she is. I was impressed with the passion that you had for the project and for working with young people. I believe that the aims and the objectives of the project coupled with you personal attributes have made a tremendous difference in many young people over the years.  This e-mail is a small step in saying thank you to Cube and yourself for your dedication. I wish for the project to continue with its ethos and philosophy. Thank you.

Yasmin farooq (parent)

I can only describe Cube as a treat. How refreshing to read such an interesting set of articles, amazingly crafted on such interesting genres. This magazine must be allowed to continue with increased funding. We have to offer young writers the opportunity to write and read on a variety of topics that are challenging - Cube clearly addresses this need.

Alison Rodgers (parent)

“I have now retired from teaching but have always enjoyed reading Cube.  Congratulates to everyone, past and present, for the enthusiasm, ideas and energy they bring through the pages.  Whatever happens I wish you good luck and hope to see you in the library in the near future.”

I have just picked up Cube Magazine and am sorry to see that you are ‘temporarily’ halting production.  I was teaching at Abbeydale Grange School when the first edition came out and remember the excitement of the students involved and the compliments that flowed from the staff and parents.  We (staff of AGS) were proud that some of our students were greatly involved and some of the publication was done in the school.  I recall a pupil of AGS, Sadia Riaz, being a big contributor and excellent interviewer (I wonder what she is doing now?) I’m sure whatever, Cube was a very useful influence.

I have now retired from teaching but have always enjoyed reading Cube.  Congratulates to everyone, past and present, for the enthusiasm, ideas and energy they bring through the pages.  Whatever happens I wish you good luck and hope to see you in the library in the near future.

 Mrs. Susan Wood (Head of IT at AGS 1999-2005)

I would just like to say how pleased Silverdale School has been with the work experience Cube Magazine has given our students over a number of years. Every student has benefited enormously from the skills and patience displayed by the staff at Cube. All students have brought the skills they have learnt at Cube back into the school environment. The experience has inspired some students to follow this as a career when leaving school and all of them have been able to report back to other students in their year group with what a great experience they had! Silverdale School would like to support Cube Magazine and its staff in any way it can in the future.

Barbara Davidson
Careers Leader, Silverdale School

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