Breaking the Frame: A Showcase of Young Ethnic Talent in Entertainment
From "People Powered Forest Gate & Maryland"
Go to the project
Proposed budget
GBP 10,000
Description
Forest Gate deserves a project that uplifts, inspires, and heals. Breaking the Frame is more than a theatre show—it is a movement to empower young people, bring communities together, and create a safer, healthier, and more vibrant neighbourhood.
Over several weeks, we will deliver inclusive workshops, music and dance rehearsals, songwriting, beat-making, and health & fitness dance classes. These sessions will be open to all ages and abilities, from young people to senior residents, ensuring no one is left out. Every participant will have a chance to learn, express themselves, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment.
The project will culminate in a professional theatre showcase at Millfield Theatre, where young people from Forest Gate and surrounding areas will perform powerful original pieces in dance, music, spoken word, and multimedia. Their performances will reflect real community issues—identity, resilience, migration, mental health—while celebrating creativity and unity.
Why this matters for Forest Gate:
- Health & Wellbeing: With the rise of fast food culture and growing mental health challenges, we are offering healthy, creative alternatives—fitness through dance, safe spaces to talk, and confidence-building workshops that strengthen body and mind.
- Community Safety: Recent stabbings in Forest Gate have left many residents feeling unsafe. This project gives young people a positive alternative to the streets, reducing risks by engaging them in structured, exciting, and skill-building activities.
- Environment & Public Spaces: By using community centres and theatres as hubs for creativity, we transform them into inclusive, welcoming spaces where people of all ages can connect, celebrate culture, and feel proud of where they live.
The impact:
- Young people will gain professional skills, mentorship, and confidence to build brighter futures.
- Parents and senior residents will see safer streets, healthier choices, and stronger community ties.
- Audiences of all ages will experience the pride of seeing Forest Gate’s talent on stage, celebrated and supported.
By voting for Breaking the Frame, you are voting for a project that tackles mental health, improves wellbeing, reduces crime, and makes Forest Gate a safer, healthier, and more united place to live. Let’s break the frame together—and build a future where our young people shine.
Comments(36)
Commenting is not possible in the current phase.
Most recent comments have loaded.
Profile of Beryl Flynn
Posted by:Beryl Flynn
9 months ago
Investing in these kind of projects is essential. But as you have stated your intention is to bring communities together I wonder why you have chosen to not be inclusive. If you are trying to attract young people and diverse teen friendship groups want to be involved, they won’t all be permitted. This might create a barrier and stop some from accessing what could be a wonderful opportunity.
Profile of Jay Smith
Posted by:Jay Smith
10 months ago
Hello. I couldn’t get to the voting event today so I’m asking the same questions what I’d ask in person – what is the money being spent on? As in a rough breakdown as I want to know what I will actually get for my vote? Where is it happening? There isn't a Millfield Theatre in Newham.
Profile of Jay Smith
Posted by:Jay Smith
9 months ago
@Jay Smith Hello I would like an answer please, the council told me you have to answer these questions as part of your community engagement. Also Ive seen you have 2 projects which I didn't think is allowed.
Profile of Madison Hambrook
Posted by:Madison Hambrook
9 months ago
@Madison Hambrook please do visit us on either Tuesday or Wednesday from6-9pm at the Youth Centre or check our social media (IMD Legion), we have given back to the community so much, and at the moment we dont have space to deliver and give more opportunities
Profile of Madison Hambrook
Posted by:Madison Hambrook
9 months ago
@Jay Smith Thank you for your question — that’s completely fair to ask.
What your vote supports:
If funded, Breaking the Frame will run a 6–8 week programme of free creative and wellbeing activities for young people and local residents in Forest Gate. These sessions will be delivered by experienced professionals (including IMD Legion choreographers who have worked internationally and appeared twice as Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists).
What will actually happen:
1. Weekly Free Workshops (Open to Local Residents):
Dance, movement and fitness sessions to support physical and mental wellbeing
Music production, song writing and creative expression workshops
Theatre and spoken word performance sessions to help build confidence
2. Safe Positive Space for Young People:
These sessions offer a structured alternative to isolation, street activity, or unsafe environments — responding directly to recent concerns in Forest Gate.
3. Training and Mentoring:
Participants will work with professional artists to develop skills in performance, collaboration, discipline and creative leadership.
4. Final Community Showcase Event:
The project ends with a public performance where families, neighbours and community members come together to celebrate the young people’s achievements.
5. Community Impact:
Supports better mental and physical health
Strengthens community pride and belonging
Helps reduce anti-social behaviour by giving young people positive focus and guidance.
In short:
Your vote helps create a healthier, safer and more connected Forest Gate , Maryland or in general Newham— led by local young people with professional support and real opportunities to grow.
If you’d like, we are also happy to share a clearer activity schedule when dates are finalised.
Profile of Madison Hambrook
Posted by:Madison Hambrook
9 months ago
@Jay Smith Thank you for your question — we appreciate you raising this.
To clarify: all workshops and programme activities will take place here in Newham, in accessible community spaces in Forest Gate (and surrounding neighbourhoods). This is where young people and residents will take part in dance, music, theatre and wellbeing sessions.
We mentioned Millfield Theatre only as a potential final performance venue because it provides:
A professional stage environment for young people to gain real industry experience
Full accessibility and technical support
Opportunities for families and residents to attend a high-quality community showcase
However, if the community prefers, the final showcase can also be hosted locally in Newham. We are currently exploring suitable venue options in Forest Gate to ensure the event remains rooted in our neighbourhood.
So to be clear:
The entire programme is delivered in Newham
The main benefit and participation are for Newham residents
The potential performance venue is flexible and can be located within Forest Gate depending on community preference and availability
Our intention is to bring meaningful, positive activity directly into Forest Gate — improving wellbeing, safety, confidence and togetherness for local young people and families.
We hope this helps clarify — and we welcome any further questions.
Profile of Cleo Gammon
Posted by:Cleo Gammon
11 months ago
This project needs to happen! As a resident of Newham and a past pupil of a school in Forest Gate, it's important for young people of culture to have access to the arts.
Profile of Sharlene Carter
Posted by:Sharlene Carter
11 months ago
I would love to see this project happen with all the arts funding cuts in main stream education and local youth provisions the young people deserve a space to feel safe, creative & supported.
Profile of skye fitzpatrick
Posted by:skye fitzpatrick
11 months ago
omg this needs to happen!
Profile of Karina Norenberg
Posted by:Karina Norenberg
11 months ago
I really hope this comes to life, it’s exactly what Forest Gate needs. Focusing on mental health, wellbeing, and reducing crime will make such a huge difference. Our young people deserve a place where they can feel supported and have the opportunity to thrive and grow within the industry. This project is a chance to create a safer, healthier, and more united community for everyone and allows these young people to network. It's a step in the right direction towards making Forest Gate a better place for all of us!
Profile of Cheryl White
Posted by:Cheryl White
11 months ago
This project is so important for our youth. Too often young people do not have access to safe, creative and supportive spaces where they can grow, express themselves and build confidence. A project like this can inspire them, keep them engaged in positive activities and open up opportunities for their future. I really hope this project goes ahead, our young people deserve it!
Profile of Sara Harris
Posted by:Sara Harris
11 months ago
This is a fantastic initiative. It should definitely go ahead. The arts are significantly underfunded and undervalued in schools and educational establishments. A project like this has so many advantages for the community and the people who it will serve. The people behind these initiatives should be supported and celebrated. They are community leaders and icons and we need more people like them!
Profile of Natasha B
Posted by:Natasha B
11 months ago
Great project for the young people.
Profile of Lanae Oscar-John
Posted by:Lanae Oscar-John
11 months ago
This looks like such an amazing project, there needs to be more projects like this for young people!!