Celebrating young people in Warwickshire
Young people from across Warwickshire have taken centre stage as part of an annual showcase celebrating those who have made a positive contribution to the community.
More than two hundred invited guests watched a host of performances as part of the ‘Celebration of Partnerships’ event at North Leamington School on Friday 30 April, organised by Warwickshire County Council’s Positive about Young People programme.
The evening’s entertainment featured individuals and groups who have all been involved in projects that help tackle disaffection among young people, and youth crime.
Whitnash-based rap group ‘Streetz R Watchin’ joined Rugby’s Street Ikons Community Dance project on stage in a collaboration called ‘Streetz Productionz’.
Young people from the GAP Community Centre in Warwick performed a piece using a combination of DJ decks, drums and guitar. It was followed by Escape’s Youth Choir (from Stratford) singing a range of songs including one written by the young people themselves.
A summer youth project from Rugby Theatre showcased a taster of the performing arts, and ILEAP joined the Stratford Music Centre to present ‘We’re all in this together’.
A group of 8 to 16-year-olds from the Sikh Cultural and Community Centre in Leamington wowed the audience with a drama show about reducing crime, followed by a performance of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ by young people from HUB 119.
All of the projects involved in the celebration event have been set up to improve the lives of young people and make a positive impact on their local communities.
Michael Maguire, head of Warwickshire County Council’s Positive about Young People programme, said: “We were once again delighted by the vast array of performances on display at the Celebration of Partnerships event and with the effort that had gone in to the show.
“It highlighted just some of the successes young people have achieved with help from Positive about Young People and partners over the last year, and I would like to thank everyone involved with the projects.”
Positive about Young People is a partnership between Warwickshire County Council and Warwickshire Police among other agencies that work with young people. The programme helps young people by giving them something to do and to feel part of their communities.
To find out more about Warwickshire County Council’s Positive about Young People programme, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/payp.