dare2engage has commissioned a new interactive experience for young people wanting to explore the beliefs and ideas of the Christian faith. The result is a striking and original resource for 16+ education, designed to give young people the opportunity to discover what the Christian faith and develop their own response and thinking as a result.

Breathe is a large and colourful circular mat, around 10 metres in diameter, divided into 12 segments which between them tackle 4 themes: the planet, others, self and God. Although Breathe is an individual and personal experience, participants start by watching a short animation together, introducing them to the concept of Breathe. They are then free to move around the different segments using an iPod Shuffle mp3 player to listen to an audio track for each segment. The audio track guides them through an activity in each segment, raising questions, offering Christian ideas and beliefs and inviting reaction and response. The session ends with a final animation that all the participants watch together, summing up the experience and posing some final questions.

The experience has been designed with education in mind and is careful to offer questions and present views rather than impose something on those taking part. Young people from all faiths and none will enjoy Breathe and find it interesting.

Although Breathe has been designed for 16–19’s, it also works well with keystage 3 and 4 pupils. The mat accommodates a class of up to 30 at a time and a session works well at around 50 to 60 minutes.

You will need a venue at least 10 metres square (a hall or drama studio works well, but a nearby church premises could also be suitable). We will provide a supervisor to set up and run Breathe for one or more days, leading each session with students.

The cost for hiring Breathe covers the supervisor fees, consumable items and an allowance for wear and tear. The fees for 2008 are £450 for the first day and £250 for following days. There is currently a special discount for 16-19 institutions (colleges, sixth forms or school sixth forms) of £350 and £150.

If you are interested in making a booking, please download and fill out a breathe booking form. There is no obligation of your part: we will let you know availibility and costs for the dates you select. Alternatively you can email us with questions or telephoning 01582 877220 and ask to speak to Nicki Summerson.

You can download a sample audio track from Breathe here.

You can contact us about Breathe by email.

You can also download a brochure telling you about Breathe. If you want a printed version of this brochure, just email or call us and we’ll be happy to send as many as you need in the post.

We are now also offering breathe for sale to schools or organisations. Find out more about by contanting Nicki Summerson by email or by telephoning 01582 877220.