London Youth Empowered by New Creative Campaign
Young Londoners are getting a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity, thanks to the National Youth Agency’s (NYA) latest initiative, the Art of Youth Work campaign. Launched on 17th July, the campaign is championed by BBC 3’s Grime Kids actor, Tienne Simon, who is encouraging London youths across the Capital to express themselves through music, dance, spoken word, and visual art.
Tienne Simon recently visited the Gifted Young Generation (GYG) youth club in Gravesend to kickstart the campaign. The goal is to highlight how youth clubs and similar settings provide safe, inclusive spaces where young people can explore their talents, celebrate their identities, and feel a sense of community. These creative projects will be showcased during Youth Work Week from 4th – 11th November.
Youth work in London spans various community settings, offering young people aged 11 to 19 (and up to 25 for those with additional needs) a chance to engage in fun activities while receiving essential support. These environments help young people socialise, develop new skills, and learn about healthy relationships. Participation is entirely voluntary, which fosters trust and allows London youths to tackle challenging issues in a secure environment.
In Grime Kids, Tienne’s character, Bishop, finds his passion for music technology at a youth club, helping him and his friends pursue their musical dreams. A poignant moment in the show features Bishop receiving crucial support from his youth worker to navigate a tricky situation involving crime.
During his visit to GYG, Tienne, known for his acclaimed solo performance in Dreaming and Drowning at the Bush Theatre, engaged with young people preparing for the Riverside Festival in Gravesend. He joined in activities, shared his pre-performance routines, and answered questions about his acting career.
“It was brilliant to see young people from all backgrounds coming together at GYG to perform and have fun,” Tienne said. “The club feels like one big family, and it’s clear how vital it is to their lives. Watching them sing and create music was inspiring; their enthusiasm for their youth club was palpable.”
Harrison Pettman, a Britain’s Got Talent finalist and GYG alumnus, is a testament to the power of youth work. Harrison, who has ADHD and autism, credits youth clubs with giving him a sense of belonging and resilience. Now, he volunteers at GYG, helping other young people find their place.
“Youth work really does work! As someone with ADHD and autism, I struggled to fit in elsewhere. Youth work provided me with a sense of belonging and the resilience I needed. Now, I volunteer at GYG to give other young people a safe space to be themselves, laugh, cry, and feel accepted,” Harrison shared.
A recent survey by the NYA found that over half of young people (51%) want more youth work activities in their local areas. Despite this demand, 10% reported no available options, and 66% said there were very few or not enough. The survey also highlighted the benefits of regular youth work participation, including improved mental and physical wellbeing, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Leigh Middleton, OBE, Chief Executive of the NYA, commented, “Youth Work Week this year focuses on ‘Youth Work for All,’ and the Art of Youth Work campaign is a fantastic way to showcase the diverse and valuable contributions of youth work to our communities. We hope this campaign will highlight the amazing work happening across the country and demonstrate how these opportunities help young people develop essential life skills as they transition to adulthood.”
For more information, visit the National Youth Agency website.
