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Feature Item:
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’
Friday, 19 August 2011
By Lindsay Burns
A YOUTH worker believes that stimulating young people’s creative side is the key to preventing future disorder and looting.
Natalie Lee, 21, works with youngsters at the Charlotte Turner Youth Club in Benbow Street, Deptford.
She said many had brilliant ideas and desperately wanted to be part of the community.
But Natalie said they believed society had a “negative” attitude towards them, leaving them feeling discouraged.
She started her job in February after four years as a volunteer with Greenwich and Lewisham Young People’s Theatre in Woolwich New Road, Woolwich.
Natalie, of Edison Grove, Woolwich, said: “I thought it was appalling to see so many young people and adults messing up their community. It takes a day to ruin it, but a lot longer to repair the damage. Now people need to come together.
“With all the cuts to youth services, there’s less and less for young people to do. But I think they should come together and help rebuild the community – become a part of it by doing something creative, maybe painting a canvas or something to make it look nicer, until the damage it cleared up.
“We also need to focus on what young people want to do and encourage them to express their ideas and feel a part of society.”
Natalie has been nominated for a South London Press Our Heroes Award as part of our campaign to highlight people’s achievements.
She was a shy 16-year-old when she started volunteering at the youth and young people’s theatre, but doing the youth work gave her the confidence to speak in front of large groups of people.
The former pupil of Thomas Tallis School in Kidbrooke Park Road, Kidbrooke, said: “I went back to my old school to do a presentation on the theatre. I would never have done anything like that when I was there.
“But I was, like, oh, there are my teachers – I know those people.
“It was a real sense of achievement.”
Natalie’s talent for public speaking resulted in her being invited to help host a conference on children’s rights at Charlton Athletic FC in 2008.
l Nominees’ stories will be given to a panel of judges in September to select winners.
The campaign ends with a gala ceremony at the South Bank headquarters of award sponsors Shell on November 15.
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Thursday, 20 June 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
Sir Ray Tindle
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