Getting back on track
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
11/09/2008
Young people from the borough have got their lives back on track thanks to an innovative scheme that uses drama, photography and music to rehabilitate former offenders.
The initiative is a three borough project for serious and persistent offenders in H&F, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster and saw the teenagers attend a summer arts college for five weeks of the recent summer holiday period.
Funded by the Arts Council and Youth Justice Board, the scheme culminated with six young people being awarded with an Arts Council Bronze Level 1 Award – the equivalent of half a GCSE. The awards were presented by District Judge David Simpson.
The arts projects challenged the young offenders to look at themselves and how they appear to the community. It enabled them to learn new skills that can be used in the future, such as working with others, taking responsibility and being creative through art.
As part of the programme, young people were also taken on trips to the theatre, galleries and museums to see art in perspective.
Cllr Antony Lillis, cabinet member for community and children’s services, said: “This is an excellent initiative to get young people back on the straight and narrow. It is also a wonderful example of local authorities working in partnership in order to bring about behavioural change.”
A delegation from Sweden, including members of the Swedish parliament, visited the Youth Offending Service recently to find out more about this groundbreaking scheme.
