Youth Arts Project brings danger of drug and alcohol abuse alive

Archived press release

Date Published: 16/03/07

Young people at Mandeville Upper School have been using drama and music to explore social issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse within their local community. A theatre director, two musicians and a photographer have helped to develop artistic...

Young people at Mandeville Upper School have been using drama and music to explore social issues surrounding drug and alcohol abuse within their local community.

A theatre director, two musicians and a photographer have helped to develop artistic skills among the students, while the police and other specialist agencies have been involved as the young people explored the wider effects of drug and alcohol abuse on society.

Bucks Arts Partnership and Creative Partnerships, Slough, have sponsored the project, which aims to:
• Make young people aware of local issues arising out of the Neighbourhood Action Group
• Explore these issues through the arts
• Present the work back to primary schools and community groups in the area
• Build new artistic skills

Vicky Hope-Walker, Coordinator of the Bucks Arts Partnership, said: “This is a complex project with many partners. The young people have been central to developing the project. We hope it will build new networks between all the agencies involved and encourage new ways of working together.”

Brian Dipple, Director of Arts at Mandeville Upper School, said: “The whole inclusive project has had something for everyone ranging from role play in assembly to intense drama work with a professional theatre practitioner; music composition with an internationally renowned composer
and photography on the local estate with a police officer. We are looking to share our work with the local community, primary schools and community centres.”

The Mandeville Upper School will present the work to an invited audience on Friday, 16 March at 2pm.