TOWER HAMLETS COMMUNICATE YOUNG PEOPLE

Welcome to Communicate, a partnership project commissioned by Tower Hamlets Drug Action Team and delivered by Lifeline. The work exhibited is the result of a unique partnership between young people from two local authorities, Tower Hamlets and Calderdale.  Designed to reach out to the communities of Tower Hamlets through various forms of multimedia, Communicate provides perspectives on substance misuse relevant to the local environment.

A key aspect of the campaign was the acknowledgement that although coming from different parts of the country the young people from Tower Hamlets and Calderdale faced many similar issues in their respective communities.  It is hoped that the relationship between the two communities is maintained and strengthened through continued joint working and sharing of best practice.

Gilly Cottew
DAT Co-ordinator – Tower Hamlets Drug Action Team
September 2006

Young people have been involved in making images and sharing their thoughts about where they live and the issues that concern them. Substance use is something that significantly affects most people at one time or another. Communication about real issues, if it resonates with real lives, those of young people, can help enormously.

This campaign seeks to improve the signposting in Tower Hamlets and Calderdale for people seeking information, advice, and support. It draws on the expertise and world view of young people by making efforts to demonstrate that they are in conversation with their community. Photography, film, events and activity have been the platform for making relationships. During the campaign 166 young people used digital media, many of them having access to equipment in a way that they had not experienced before.

The image results have exceeded all expectations, and have formed the basis for the design of the campaign. Material will be distributed across Tower Hamlets including drug awareness literature. As young people have been involved in its production, we hope it will encourage them to learn more about what guidance and support is available in relation to drugs and crime.

Campaign Commission: Tower hamlets Drug Action Team
Produced and Delivered by: Drugdemographic at Lifeline Project
www.towerhamletscommunicate.co.uk