Young people in Islington will have access to a wide range of activities and events this summer courtesy of Platform, Islington Council’s new youth arts venue. It will host dance and film clubs for local teenagers, plus a youth hub with a cafe and study space.
The Manager at the Platform youth hub, Mary Brown said: “Platform is a youth-led venue that offers workshops, skills development, employment and volunteering opportunities as well as free wifi access to young people who live in Islington.”
The hub, which is on Hornsey Road, occupies the spot formerly known as the Hornsey Road Bath Laundry. It was transformed into a performing arts venue in 2010 to give young people easy access to a range of services and support, and is the second of its kind to be opened after the Canonbury Hub on St Paul’s Road.
A local 18-year-old, David James, said: “I think it’s a really good idea that will help young people like myself develop their skills in something they enjoy doing.”
Arts organisation All Change, which partners Islington Council, recruited 24 young advisers to help oversee the development of Platform after it was granted £3.5 million by the Big Lottery. These young people devoted many hours of their time to finding out what the Islington community wanted, and worked with designers to create the structure.
Desara said: “The hub is mainly aimed at youths who live in the Islington area, but welcomes anyone who is not from the borough to join in. Participants are also encouraged to use other hubs to experience the full range of services offered.”
Platform set up Islington’s first youth arts festival in July last year. The two-week celebration took place across the borough, with works produced by and for people aged 13-19. The hub was also visited recently by Labour leader Ed Miliband, who was accompanied by Richard Watts, the Executive Member for Children and Families at Islington Council. They wanted an insight into how young people are coping with looking for work.
For more information about events and activities please visit www.platformislington.org.uk
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