Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore has welcomed a grant to Pan Intercultural Arts for £128,940 to deliver the Weapon of Choice Theatre Project in Camden from The Mayor of London’s Young Londoners Fund.

The Weapon of Choice Theatre Project will provide transformative, creative activities for 75 of London’s young people excluded from mainstream schooling or at risk of social exclusion and criminal activity. Weekly drama-based sessions will enable participants to explore routes and behaviours enabling more positive futures. They will perform to other young people to encourage them to find positive solutions to potentially violent social situations.

Mr Dismore said:

‘Sadiq Khan is yet again stepping up to the mark to provide much needed youth service funding, after the Conservative Government’s failed austerity project. At a time of high youth violence, I hope this programme will help young people and prevent those at risk of falling into antisocial behaviour.’

Councillor Abdul Hai, Cabinet Member for Young People & Cohesion on Camden Council said:

‘I am delighted that Pan Intercultural Arts has been awarded a significant grant to deliver a drama-based programme to raise awareness of crime and anti-social behaviour. Austerity has disproportionately impacted young people, in particular people from low income families. The government cuts and failure to provide funding for young people’s activities has seen a rise in youth violence and knife crime. The Mayor of London’s grant will provide young people the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities in a safe and secure environment’

ENDS

Notes:

• Andrew Dismore is the Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
• Councillor Abdul Hai is Cabinet Member for Young People & Cohesion on Camden Council