A “red carpet” celebration is being staged today (Friday, 18 March 2022) to honour the young people behind the success of two Newham Year of the Young Person programmes – Youngest in Charge and 21 in 21.
In Youngest in Charge, nine young people applied to deliver projects that will improve the lives of young residents. A pitching session was held at Stratford Town Hall late last year and all nine were awarded grants for their projects by Newham Council, Newham HeadStart and Newham Training Hub.
For 21 in 21, 21 Newham children and young people shared their stories on 21 July 2021 through a collection of case studies, stories and a film, co-produced with participants and their families, illustrating how the borough’s services have helped them.
At the July gathering, an enormous mural was painted, outside dance sessions took place, and young people spoke about how they felt about growing up in Newham.
One interviewee said: “What’s special about being a young person in Newham is that there is so much diversity and no matter who you are, where you come from, what your background is, your age or gender, you are constantly celebrated.”
Around 250 guests are expected at the event at Stratford Picture House which will include the screening of the completed 21 in 21 film and awards ceremony.
The 30 stars – 21 young people from 21 in 21 and the nine from Youngest in Charge – will be met by a posse of paparazzi photographers when they arrive at the red carpet in front of the Picture House at around 4pm. Spectacular skating will take place and there will be stalls for the guests, including one offering free cake.
Inside the venue from 5pm, there will be a “cheerleaders’ opening” to proceedings, a speech by Councillor Carleene Lee-Phakoe, Cabinet Member for Brighter Futures, introductions by the hosts and the first official full screening of the 21 in 21 film.
A dance performance by Space4Me will take place, there will be a screening of The Garden film from the Perspective Dance project and all 30 young people involved in Youngest in Charge or 21 in 21 will be given awards. Afterwards, from 7pm-8pm, a young DJ will entertain guests who can enjoy the Art Display from the “Effecting Change Through Art” project.
Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: “Children and young people are the lifeblood of Newham and it makes me very proud to see what these remarkable 30 young people have achieved through the Youngest in Charge and 21 in 21 initiatives.”
Councillor Carleene Lee-Phakoe said: “Both Youngest in Charge and the 21 and 21 project once again illustrate the enormous talent and potential of our children and young people in Newham.
“That young entrepreneurs should come with such amazing and inspirational community projects and young performers and filmmakers should produce a film of the quality of 21 in 21 is a credit too all these young people and to everyone involved in these initiatives.”