The idea
RIPE is a free, 2-day youth-led festival in Hammersmith, designed by our Youth Board and supported by industry mentors. It will bring together over 300 young people to explore skills, leadership and collaboration, championing new voices and fresh perspectives, and creating youth leadership pathways.
Across multiple creative spaces, young people aged 14-23 will have free access to: workshops, career surgeries, panels and Q+As with industry professionals, and a brand new peer to peer networking hub, learning from both professionals and peers.
Sandwiched between sessions are three unique performance opportunities for up to 12 groups youth led groups to showcase their work and test bold ideas in an informal setting.
Participants are able to dip in and out of activities while audiences discover new talent. RIPE breaks down financial and structural barriers, ensuring access for all, creating a launchpad where young people can respond, ignite, platform and evolve, shaping the artistic future.
What we'll deliver
- Host a free, 2-day youth-led festival in Hammersmith for c.220 young people and 150+ audience members.
- Deliver 3 co-facilitated workshops and a shared panel with industry professionals.
- Offer 12 new youth-created performances in scratch and work-in-progress formats.
- Provide 32 one-to-one career and CV surgeries with professionals.
- Establish a peer-to-peer mentoring hub to support networking and skill-sharing.
- Create career pathways through paid trainee facilitator roles and hands-on experience.
- Offer paid and expenses-covered opportunities for 7 Youth Board members, 8 volunteers, and a young technical team.
- Hire young creatives in production roles, including a photographer and marketing content creators.
- Support delivery with print/online marketing, workshop resources, and refreshments for participants.
- Ensure strong management by employing a producer, an accountant and providing technical/event support across both days.
Why it's a great idea
Ripe transforms the local artistic offer for young people, providing free access to creative workshops, performances, 1-2-1 surgeries, mentoring and networking while building skills, confidence, friendships + future pathways.
Participants design their own journey through the sessions, with opportunities for leadership roles, performances and direct work experience. This freedom to experiment, take risks + explore their voice builds resilience, self discovery + a sense of belonging in a safe, supportive space.
For audiences RIPE is a chance to support fresh talent as it emerges. For partners and industry professionals, it is a way to connect with the next generation, spark collaborations + understand what young people want.
The project’s legacy ripples outwards as mentoring links remain active + participants engage more deeply with the borough’s cultural life. By removing financial barriers and offering autonomy to young people, RIPE creates opportunity, connection and lasting change.
Steps to get it done
- Confirm roles for Youth Board members, volunteers, and young creatives in paid technical, photography + marketing roles.
- Secure Venue & Spaces. Book Riverside’s Rehearsal Room, River Room, and café spaces for the 2-day festival.
- Youth Board finalises the line-up: 3 workshops, 1 panel, career surgeries, CV sessions, and mentoring hub.
- Design and distribute print and online marketing material, with content created by young people.
- Open submissions and bookings for workshops, mentoring, and performances.
- Confirm participants and registers for each event, share resources, and provide technical/creative guidance.
- Deliver festival: workshops, panels, performances, surgeries for c.300 participants and 150+ audience.
- Launch peer-to-peer mentoring hub, continue Youth Board input, begin planning for following year!
