There’s a unique, almost palpable, energy that is created when you’re in the presence of enthusiastic, talented and eager-to-learn young people.
That’s how I feel every year when East Summer School kicks off at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park thanks to a collaborative programme which is led by London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC).
This year, across two weeks in July and August, we welcomed almost 300 young east Londoners to the Park’s cultural quarter, East Bank, where they took part in workshops with BBC Music Studios, Sadler's Wells East, UAL's London College of Fashion, UCL, V&A East, ABBA Voyage, East London Dance, Skate Cabal, Class Of Your Own and X7eaven.
East Summer School is open to 12–17-year-olds who live or study in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest.
Each was offered the chance to attend hands-on workshops that explore fashion design and storytelling; documentary-making and urban design; visual and fine art; and dance and performance.
It’s always hugely popular – and this year was no exception.
Programme examples included designing flood-resilient neighbourhood maps at UCL, inclusive dance classes at Sadler’s Wells East, discovering the history of fashion through archives at UAL's London College of Fashion, creating content for BBC’s Asian Network, curating artistic displays at V&A East Museum & Storehouse, and going backstage at ABBA Voyage to learn about lighting, audio and production.
The programme builds on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Inclusive Talent programme, providing pathways into the creative industries and strengthening one of the capital’s key growth sectors through the emerging talent shaping east London's future.
One young person who particularly enjoyed the experimental textiles course at London College of Fashion, UAL, told us: “The tutors were really helpful which made it much more engaging as a course and having multiple choices of activities made it really fun.
"I enjoyed the choice to do what we felt most comfortable with and trying different things without pressure to create [the best] outcome.
"I now feel more confident in exploring more and drawing.
“I would definitely recommend this course to a friend and I want to continue this as a more serious hobby.”
Having been involved with East Summer School for the past nine years it’s this type of feedback that makes all of the hard work worth it.
Not just for LLDC but also for our brilliant partners who dedicate their time, expertise and resource to make sure that participants walk away with memorable and meaningful experiences.
I’m already looking forward to next year, which will mark 10 years of East Summer School.
It’s an epic milestone which we intend to celebrate in style, so be sure to watch this space.
- Renea Henry-Kemp is Inclusive Growth Manager at London Legacy Development Corporation.
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