Young people pitched their plans to make the borough better to a panel to empower them to make a difference in the community.

As part of a London-wide programme, young people from the Dost programme for refugees and migrants gathered at their base in the Trinity Centre in Manor Park to present plans for a graffiti mural at a community garden, a summer fair, and a joint sports programme.

DOST is part of the Athan 31 programme, developed by charity London Youth, with support and representatives from the Jack Petchey Foundation, the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, and the Jimmy Dixon Charitable Trust.

Athan 31 teams young people up with youth workers in their local youth club to come up with ideas, which they then present to the wider community to convince them that they can make a difference.

Marian Spiers, youth work programme Manager at DOST, said: “This programme has helped the young people develop skills and gain the opportunity to work together in small groups in a diplomatic way, where they need to be able to contribute and listen to each other.”