Knife crime happens in my area constantly! In 2019 something happened closer to home which sparked something in me to do more about it! I had to raise money to help young people get the support and guidance they need to better themselves in a positive way. The only way I knew how to do that was through the Arts. I put out a call asking for people to send me their real life stories on knife crime. At first no one got back to me, but slowly and surely people got in contact with me from all walks of life, backgrounds and ages. I put out a deadline, once no one else came forward that’s when I was able to put my head down properly and get to work on creating this play. This will be a non-profit play, I hope to generate a good amount of money through ticket sales so that I can spread it through to different charities, community centres, councillors etc helping our young people. I want this to be a community effort. If we can change one life, my goal will have been reached.
What we'll deliver:
- Supporting disadvantaged young people
- Everyone involved will be paid. Actors, record producer etc
- Recording space will be paid for, for the days of recording
Why it's a great idea:
Nothing in this play will be made up; I made sure to keep each person’s truth because that is the whole point of this piece. My goals are for the audience to relate to these people, empathise with these people and leave wanting to make a change to the society they are currently in. The same way a fire ignited in me to want to help and make a change, is the same way I want that fire to hit every single person that sees this piece. I am doing this project because I want every single young person to know that they are loved and their lives are worth living in a positive way! There are so many children out there that do not have the funds or the knowledge to do the activities or jobs that they would love to do. I want to be able to help them get that foot in the door, whether it be funding an extra curriculum activity or buying a suit for an interview they need to attend. In any way shape or form I can help a young person, this is the way that will help me do so.
Steps to get it done:
- Booking a recording space
- Paying everyone involved
This could change a life for the better and help drive communities closer together. Although we are all individuals, we come from families that live in the same area as other families creating a community which should have a sense of family. We shouldn’t be strangers to one another at all. Growing up on an estate, everyone knew everyone and everyone played with everyone. We had a community centre that put on many activities, we had summer clubs hosted in our basketball court and so on. But now, our youths don’t have half of that so they hang out on road sides, chicken shops, alley ways and parks not knowing what to do with themselves. They should be maximising their full potential and that is what I want to do. Many of the people that I want to reach hardly ever go to the theatre, so this would be such a great and affordable way for them to be able to see a theatre piece. Getting this play from page to ears and then from ears to money into charities will be a huge development.
