Amplify in 2020

Amplify Studios

Before Christmas we officially launched Amplify Studios alongside an exhibition of photography and music produced by our young people. The evening welcomed current and new RPT supporters, colleagues from across youth and family services and businesses we have built relationships with over the past 18 months, as well as family and friends of the young people who took part in our most recent creative arts projects. It was a great finish to 2019 and gave everyone a preview of what Amplify will offer, namely giving young people access to new skills and employment in a variety of creative arts disciplines.

Some of the work exhibited on the night was from the second edition of our Dazed+Labs photography project, facilitated by photographer Eddie Otchere, which saw 12 young people take part in an intensive workshop. We were fortunate for Converse’s support on the project, providing studios, models and guidance, helping our young people to create campaign-worthy images.

The group also had the chance to attend the Antony Gormley exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, which they really enjoyed and which gave them a view as to what a career in the arts could lead to.

A career in the creative arts

Supporting young people in work placements is an important part of our support for young people, and we’re incredibly proud of Daniel*, who has completed an 18-month voluntary placement at Columbia Records. Daniel has now been employed by Music Making Factory to work in their Artists and Repertoire Department on a part-time basis while he continues his studies.

At a session in our Youth Club, guest speaker Ferdy Unger-Hamilton (President of Columbia Records) identified Daniel as having a very good ear for music and encouraged him to hone his talent. Since starting his placement, Daniel has built a supportive network of professionals and artists from whom he can seek advice, and he has been able to highlight up-and-coming artists as possible new artists for the label. We continue to work with Daniel and have paired him with a mentor who has helped him to understand budgeting and taxes.

*name changed to protect privacy

Looking Ahead

We have been successful in our application to The Mayor of London’s Young Londoners’ Fund, which aims to decrease the number of young people in the capital getting involved in criminal activities and serious youth violence.

We have just launched a new project with Amplify, called Amplify: Friday Lates, that will run every term-time Friday between 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Each term will offer at least two creative arts or skills-building projects for young people to enjoy, followed by coaching and mentoring sessions with Youth Workers that will support young people to set goals and move towards positive outcomes such as engaging in training, education and employment opportunities. Amplify will see much more activity in the coming months with programmes offering young people opportunities in film, photography, music, illustration, song writing and performance.