The Brighter Futures project is run by the Riverside Youth Club in Deptford. Young people are encouraged to work on small projects including repairing and decorating the play pen area on the Pepys Estate. They are given gift vouchers for every session they attend and also take part in drug awareness workshops and other activities to prevent anti-social behaviour. The success of the project means there are now aspirations to extend Brighter Futures to new locations across Lewisham.
This is a great project. So often young people get a bad press because of an anti-social minority. It's great to see young people taking such a positive interest in their local communities. I'm sure their example will be encouraging to others and I hope our local media will publicise their achievements.