Working in partnership with The Crib, the Freedom Youth Project will provide opportunities for young people aged 8 through to 25, including those with a range of disabilities and NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training) to have access to multi-media activities encouraging them to learn new creative skills whilst broadening their horizons. It also focuses on building their confidence, developing their self-esteem, enhancing their social skills and giving them an immense sense of achievement. We will also support aspiring artists looking for a serious career and entry point into the music business. Young people have the opportunity to showcase their talents at the annual Boroughs United event based at the Hackney Empire. We have recently been given the opportunity to convert a building space based in Hackney into a fully functional multi-media studio suite.

What we'll deliver:

• Provide a safe, stimulating and creative space for young people
• Provide access to a fully functional Multi-Media Studio Suite for young people in the local community and other boroughs
• Support aspiring artists looking for a serious career and entry point into the music business
• Enhance the skills & knowledge of young people, creating an increased culture of learning
• Enable young people to unleash their own true potential and seize opportunities to help them to thrive in life
• Promote community cohesion and creating an environment of togetherness
• Reduce youth crime, violence & anti-social behaviour by providing young people with much needed activities
• Increase the confidence and enhance the creativity of young people
• Enable young people to express themselves and get their voices heard
• Create a platform for young people to perform their talents and promote their achievements

Why it's a great idea:

We work with young people through what we refer to as a ‘pathway’ where the activities delivered enable staff to initially engage young people. During the course of engagement, this enables staff to build a strong and trusting rapport with the young people, which then creates an opportunity for staff to learn more about the young people and also identify areas within their lives where they may require any necessary support through informal discussions. We have carried out extensive work with young people in various areas, which has made a significant impact to their lives and we continue to provide them with the required ongoing support as young people who initially participated in our Freedom Youth Project have also engaged in our Believe & Achieve and Careers Clinic Projects where staff provide mentoring, further education and career path support.

Steps to get it done:

• Decorate space (duration - 1 week)
• Purchase all required Multi-Media Equipment (duration - 1 week)
• Install all equipment (duration - 2 weeks)
• Advertise and provide access to the Multi-Media Studio Suite