COMMUNITY:MATTERS

“Getting out of my comfort zone has improved my wellbeing.”
participant

the project

community:matters is our multi-arts programme empowering marginalised young people in the London Borough of Brent. Launched in 2019, this programme is a partnership with three services that support young people with learning disabilities, migrants, refugees and young carers: Brent Gateway Partnership, Brent Mencap and Salusbury World.

“I WANT TO SHOW OFF THE PHOTOGRAPHS I HAVE TAKEN BECAUSE I’M PROUD OF THE WORK I’VE MADE.”
PARTICIPANT

Each creative project, run by our professional artists, embeds inclusive activities that allow for self-expression and group work. Trips enable the young people to experience new things and to see their local community through new eyes, raising aspirations. The projects encourage teamwork, enabling the young people to build trusting relationships with their peers and develop social skills and confidence that they can take back into their homes, schools and communities. Some bring young people from the different services together.

the need

Brent is ranked 11^th in the Government’s London borough deprivation indices, with 33% of households living in poverty and 31% of employees earning less than the London Living Wage, a higher rate than any other borough except Newham.

“I felt as though I was in a safe environment where there was no wrong answer. Whatever I said was thought about and taken into consideration.”
participant

The creative arts are a powerful tool for empowering and upskilling children and adults alike. Brent was London Borough of Culture in 2020, during which the voices of young people took centre stage. It is important that the voices of marginalised young people in the borough continue to be heard.