A celebration of music, art and creative writing - Creative Youth Initiatives is where "marginalised young people" discover that they are people who have come through hard times, and although life is not easy, they have made a giant step forward.
A former staff member quoted – “ Creative Youth Initiatives provides a wonderful and necessary function in our society by giving voice to young people and allowing them to come to a greater understanding of themselves and their surroundings by expressing their creativity. Because young people are often not given the love and encouragement they need to be healthy, active members of society they are further outcast and adrift at a time in their lives when they often feel apart from the rest of the world anyway. This leads to many of their outwardly manifest problems (drugs, crime, prostitution) an inwardly recurring personalities difficulties (mental health problems). Our job in a way, is to rebuild them, or more accurately, allow them space to rebuild themselves. They can free themselves of any labels they may have inadvertently acquired and discover the talents that may be well hidden within. This is an incredible process to watch and never ceases to amaze me. In uncovering their creative spark they grow invisible human terms, like a thirsty plant being watered. Hopefully at the end of the course they can leave to become a productive part of our world again.”