As the newest branch of the organisation, Worth Unlimited Huddersfield has begun engaging local young people through the creative arts in two very distinct projects.

The Young People's Music Forum gives local young people the opportunity to plan and deliver a programme of music events in Kirklees. All events are planned with young people. The young people's aims are to provide a safe venue for young people to perform and for young people to enjoy and socialise as the audience. With the support of local Christians with experience in event management the project has quickly gained a high reputation for quality and professionalism amongst young people and the Local Authority.

Lowerhouses Young People's Project: Lowerhouses is a small estate in South Huddersfield where we have initiated a community based project to respond to the many social needs of young people living in the community.

Through funding from Kirklees council we have employed two youth workers to develop pilot work. The project is using a converted house on the estate as a dedicated young people's venue. Building on our reputation for engaging young people through music we aim that this will become know as a place where young people can develop their own creative arts programmes. The pilot project will engage young people through grafitti art, Rap lyric writing and DJ skills. As well as young people being accredited for new skills, youth workers Matt and Wendy are consulting young people to plan future work and identify needs.

Wendy has lived on the Lowerhouses estate all her life and brings good relationships with local young people and local knowledge. Matt has been a youth worker in Huddersfield for many years and has experience working with young people through the arts.

Watch this space for further developments.'

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Chris Woodward

E-mail: woody@worthunlimited.co.uk