Community Life

Over the next year, youngsters will be given the opportunity to explore the issues that matter to them through the visual arts, music and film.

The problems with knife crime and gang culture as well as their relationships with the wider community are just some of the subject matters up for discussion.

Students will start by taking part in a series of workshops with the help of Theatre Resource, an arts organisation that promotes creativity of socially excluded groups, and will produce billboards which 'advertise' a positive image for teens.

Other schools will be invited to share in the creativity and the project will also offer mentoring and leadership skills to community members wishing to assist in the scheme.

Cllr Michael Stark, cabinet member for children's services, said: "This is an excellent project and the funding will help to give young people creative learning opportunities to which they would not otherwise have had access."

A public performance of all the projects is being planned for next summer.

The project is a joint project between Redbridge Youth Service, Redbridge Culture Sport and Community Learning, Theatre Resource and Mayfield School and is funded by the lottery through Arts Council England.

Got a story? Email me: kulwant.sohal@bbc.co.uk