Young people told us the media portrayed young people in a negative light after the riots. What do young people themselves think?

As one member of our Lea View group stated:

‘No one will listen, they think all youngsters are bad! Take the riots for example, even though it was bad they did it for a reason. And yet they weren’t heard’.

The group of young people aged 12 – 19 from in and around Hackney went on a residential to the Lea Valley to discuss their views, have their say, and decide what to do next.

Then they spent six weeks working towards a creative community performance and event

On the residential, after discussing the riots, the young people were asked what they would change about how they are seen and treated. They said:

• Society based on equality
• Respect young people more
• Give young people dignity
• We’re all human
• Listening to them
• Let government and MPs speak and listen to us
• For more people to see the good young people do and can bring to their community
• People don’t have bad expectations of young people
• Seriously give young people the vote
• Young people to be seen as thoughtful and intelligent about their actions
• That not all people who see hoodies react like that person is bad

Dates the project took place:

Tuesday evenings 7-9pm from 17th April to 22nd May.

Plus half term: Tuesday 5th June 12-530, Wednesday 6th June 12-530, Thursday 7th June 2-8.