Tyrone Chambers is no stranger to the art of multitasking. With a full-time job, a start-up in the works, and multiple other projects and titles, he shed some light on how he achieves his many aspirations. Chambers grew up in South London and graduated from university in 2015 in global business management. Since that time, just some of the jobs he has taken up include project management in the IT and finance space, operations and logistics for a music department, customer service and even freelance football writing. Chambers has also been involved in social action campaigns. One such campaign is The Reach – Next Generation Summit , which, according to Chambers, partners with the largest companies across the world doing events through the U.K. that focus on empowering young girls aged 11 to around 15. But throughout this time, Chambers has also been a musician, playing drums for the past 15 years in various bands and at his local church. Relating to music, his full-time job is being a studio manager and head of events at The Box , a space for hire. The space is rented out for the creation of podcasts, video shoots and other creative projects. Chambers also indicated that the company plans to move into the live, intimate events space. “We had our first event last month, which was a listening party that I produced,” said Chambers. “We’re looking to do more of those between sort of like the release parties, intimate concerts, as well as the video shoots, photo shoots, podcasts, etc.” The Box provides a space for aspiring creatives to celebrate, produce, record, and perform their artistic work. Chambers also works part-time building his company, Elevation Management. He hopes to make it his full-time responsibility. Starting it officially a few months before the pandemic, Chambers describes Elevation Management as “slowly burning.” Through Elevation Management Chambers manages artists, one such being his friend, singer and songwriter WhenSheSpeaks. “She was getting ready to go into music and she asked me if I could manage her. And we’ve been on this journey now about, December will make it 3 years.” … “She just released her EP last Friday, which has been amazing, the rollout and everything has been great.” Chambers’ plan to get into the music and events space began 10 years ago and he said that his company has gone through “various iterations over the years.” When asked what kind of musicians he wanted to manage, he said he wanted to work in the R&B, neo soul space. Chambers emphasized that it is necessary for managers to give their artists creative freedom. “No level of empowerment is generated as a result of micromanagement.” When asked how he juggles multiple projects while still actively growing his start-up and being at a full-time job, Chambers came with no shortage of advice for those also looking to achieve their aspirations and be successful in any field. To organise himself and the people that he works with, Chambers suggested having multiple email addresses tailored to each company or project. “You can demarcate what people have what contact information, because if everyone has the same email for you, then it’s so easy for everything to be meshed into one.” Chambers also noted that, people, especially people with start-ups should utilize the tools that they have at the time. He compared starting with little resources to the story of David and Goliath. “You don’t have to have like, you know, the top of the top of range gear. You don’t have to have all the contacts you need in order to get started. That will come,” Chambers said. “Just start with what you have now. And as a result, just keep just being diligent in that which you started with. And then you’ll just see the growth” Chambers also found value in playing the long game. “Don’t look for the short-term success when it comes to your life because there’s no one that’s going to be living your life more than you. You’re worth the long-term investment.” He also discussed how individuals should be conscious of the people they surround themselves with and the importance of making sure that others aren’t the ones holding you up. “You can have people believe in you but they can’t believe for you,” said Chambers. “Because at the end of the day, I can’t be doing more work for your dream.” “If you’re looking for people to join you in what you’re looking to build, have a clear plan, have an idea as to what it is you want to build, what you want to create. And then as a result, the right people will come along with you. Where there’s ambiguity there’s going to be confusion.” All of Chambers’ helpful tools and advice can be applied when pursuing any field, in the management industry and abroad. Especially for young entrepreneurs or aspiring artists, applying these tools can help alleviate the stress of juggling multiple projects while also having a clear vision for the future. When asked about his own plans, Chambers described it as going to be “busy,” “loud” and possibly “violent,” he said jokingly. “My twenties have really been a lot of sort of like finding myself,” said Chambers. “My thirties is literally just me try out new things.” “I’m not going to be going with the grain. So I’m at peace with that now because I was always trying to you know,” … “Like colouring within the lines. But here’s the thing. If you really want to make impact, you’re gonna have to be different.” By Jack Underhill, You Press Intern

James Broadley is a co-founder of Mafia Weekend CIC . While this may sound like some convention for London’s next best criminals, it is quite far from it. Mafia Weekend, also known as, Make a Film in a Weekend, is a 48-hour program based in Owslebury, Winchester that brings community members from different backgrounds together into a collaborative environment to create film. The Mafia Weekend team consists of 3 people. Broadley, the artistic director who deals with sales, outreach and the general business management of the company. Co-founder Dan Robb, who is also an in-house filmmaker for the National Health Service, uses his expertise to mentor the participants. Kezia Joseph, a professional actress, teaches acting, creative writing and other aspects of the course. When asked about the inspiration for this project, Broadley gave insight into his background in drama. 27-year-old Broadley graduated from the Royal Central School of Film and Drama with a degree in acting with collaborative and devised theatre in 2018. “I found it’s such a such an extraordinary energy like live performance like being on stage and having someone witness you transform into another character,” said Broadley He described being blown away by his experience at the school learning to not only be an actor but also a creative and a producer. “And really offering actors the idea that they’re artists that can, if they want to, can have an influence in the way community and society see themselves,” said Broadley. After graduating, though, Broadley moved away from the creative space working as a fundraiser for Amnesty International. But he eventually immersed himself in the filmmaking field again when joining the film committee at Bell House , a volunteer-led charity providing opportunities for aspiring creatives. This is where he pitched the idea of a 48-hour intensive filmmaking course. Broadley collaborated with Robb in its creation. “And people turned up for the event. And we really enjoyed the experience of working together and we loved the feeling of people coming together to create. It was a real high energy space. So it just left a really strong impression on both me and Dan and the participants,” said Broadley. In order to complete the ambitious task of making a film in just two days, the program runs from around 10 in the morning to six in the afternoon. 12 participants are allowed per course that consists of five parts. “Part one is about bringing a group of strangers together and generating an experience, a kind of an atmosphere where people feel safe, and people feel comfortable,” said Broadley. This consists of team games and having each participant write about their own creative journeys. “A lot of time is spent really letting people come into their own body. Because it’s really important when things get frenetic on day two and quite high energy. Just people can come back into their own body and feel safe.” The second part, which occurs also on the first day, is committed to story generation and teaching movie fundamentals. Because no story is pre-written before the course, the participants must collaborate on what movie they want to create. Broadley then said that past movies have been ghost, coming-of-age films and most recently climate fiction. In order to most effectively decide on the film, Broadley splits the team into smaller groups to discuss their ideas and interests before opening up to the large group. “Over the period of around three hours we will have generated like a kind of seven scene film,” said Broadley. Broadley also emphasised that the purpose of day one is to provide a foundation in storytelling so that on day two, he can give creative freedom to the participants. “It’s not me writing it for them and saying, ‘Right, now go make the film.’ It’s like, ‘No it’s your movie, you get the choice of how it’s made.’” After deciding on a storyline, the second day is committed to film creation. Broadley insists that everyone get in front of the camera at some point in filming as well as the opportunity for each participant to direct their own scene. “Whether you’re [director of photography], light, sound, all of these roles get switched around.” Once the film has been shot and the 48-hour time period is over, Broadley said that a time to meet remotely is scheduled for Robb to provide an editing workshop. Robb later edits the entire movie with the shot film, and the five to 11 minute short is ready to be screened in about two to three months. Broadley described the company’s target audience as emerging artists between 16 to 25 who may be looking for direction after completing school, but he welcomes ages up to over 60 years. “We noticed that the films that were getting created when people from mixed backgrounds or demographics were just more interesting,” Broadley said. “Whether that be as a professional or more as like a hobby or an outlet, everyone kind of comes along.” Another demographic that Mafia Weekend provides outreach to is refugees and people seeking asylum in the U.K. Broadley said that he hopes to provide a creative outlet for refugees to express their experiences. Moving away from the charity organisation it began as, Mafia Weekend registered as a company last year, evolving to more of a production company. While still an educational program, the company takes commissions from various clients such as local governments, charities, and corporate organisations. When asked about the future of Mafia Weekend, Broadley said that he hopes for the course to become a regular experience and to network with local filmmakers in the U.K. and abroad to conduct similar programs. “How can we kind of transport that framework and take it to other communities across the UK and potentially, you know, potentially internationally as well?” said Broadley. Broadley highlighted the goal of the course being to show people that things are possible when there is collaboration and motivation. Mafia Weekend CIC is a recurring course so if you have any interest in filmmaking in any capacity, be on the lookout for their next course.  By Jack Underhill, You Press Intern

This programme is designed to help recent graduates to develop their skills in preparation for the working world. The programme is run in collaboration with London Metropolitan University and is open exclusively to London Met third year students and recent graduates. The 2019 session ran over the summer, during which participants engaged with You Press creatives and community professionals in a relaxed workshop environment. Read more about the workshops and participant experiences below. What does the programme involve? Some of the areas that this programme will explore are: Time management & organisation Confidence & decision making Body language & public speaking Networking Emotional intelligence Designing the work you love Preparation for work/life culture How long is the programme? The programme was completely free and took place over 10 weeks starting in June to August 2019. How do I apply? If you are interested in partnering with us to deliver this programme within your organisation, or for more information email us at contactus@youpress.org.uk.

Between June 2019 and March 2020, You Press collaborated with the Greater London Authority (GLA) in order to deliver a follow-up community research project that focused on social inclusion, integration and developing civic leadership in communities that currently do not have a voice in City Hall. Based on the findings from last year, ROOTS LDN 2019 focused on the communal concerns of Youth Violence and Crime. This project involved 15 researchers from the BAME demographic ranging from 16 to 30 years old. Once the data had been collected, the researchers converted their findings into original artistic responses. Download the project booklet below. Our 15 researchers found at least five participants each to take part in the ROOTS LDN survey: 8 Open-Ended Questions 87 Data Responses The participants used their results from the surveys they carried out and turned these into creative pieces. This included the ROOTS LDN 2019 Album - COMING SOON! You Press are very proud of the success of the research model used in the Roots LDN Community Research project. We would love to hear from you if you are interested in partnering up with us to deliver a similar research project in your own organisation. Contact us today.

Join us for a free community dinner. The first community dinner took place in 2017 and since then it has become our annual event to look forward to! In 2019 we hosted our third annual community dinner during the last 10 days of Ramadan (Friday 31st May 2019, 7.30pm - 10.30pm) for the homeless residents at Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest (QVSR). The event supported community cohesion at a homeless shelter. Talented artists and volunteers helped to distribute the food to the residents and other guests. A whole variety of food had been served to the homeless residing at the shelter and the night saw live performances from three talented singers to accompany the gathering. *Video by Harvir Lehal

Today’s young people need tools to express their issues ScribersHive: Royal Docks is a unique learning experience designed to give the young people of Newham a way to express themselves through multimedia storytelling. This programme was created so that a diverse will be taught transferable production skills they can use to voice their issues in today’s modern world. What will the programme involve and why should you apply? Participants will be taught how to express themselves through: creative writing, graphic design and A/V production over the programme’s 6 week duration. Each stage of the programme will combine hands-on training, engaging group activities, cultural outings, collaboration between participants and scheduled learning evaluations. Through engaging group activities, hands-on training by industry professionals, and cultural outings, we hope to inspire you to speak your truth and raise awareness of issues affecting you and your community. At the end of the programme, your work will be showcased at a public exhibition so people can learn about who you are and what you stand for, and appreciate the skills you have developed in telling your story. Apply today to start your storytelling journey! To conclude the programme, participants will have had their articles and illustrations published to our website as well as a public showcasing of their work! How long is the programme? The programme will have 10 interactive fun / creative sessions. Each of the three stages of the programme will lead to preparing for the public exhibition in May/June 2022. ScribersHive Royal Docks programme will begin on the 11th of May 2022. Applications will close on the 9th of May 2022. Stage 1: Writing Stage 2: Illustration Stage 3: Film & Podcast Location Workshops and other activities will be conducted in person in Newham. Apply as soon as possible. Application deadline is 9th May 2022. To take part in this programme, you must be: People who live, work or study in Newham Between the ages of 16 and 30 Have a keen interest in the creative arts Apply today

Our vision We plan to promote social inclusion, community cohesion and artistic expression by training 20 young artists, aged 16-30 years, (from BAME backgrounds) to develop their employability skills. These 20 participants will be the focus of 10 short videos in which they will showcase original spoken word, poetry and music reflecting the theme of COVID-19. With the last two years being challenging for many young people and communities due to COVID-19, the programme will specifically focus on human stories and hope for the future. What will the programme involve? Young poets, musicians and storytellers, who either live, work or study in Westminster, will be given the chance to showcase and promote their talents, enabling them to build confidence. This will be achieved by training our artists to carryout research and to interview employees, tenants and occupants of Paddington Central and performing original pieces created in response to those quotes, stories and findings. The original artistic pieces will be filmed on the rooftop of one of Paddington Central’s buildings and published onto our YouTube channels, social media accounts and website. “Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” - Alphonse de Lamartine Original artistic pieces will be filmed on the rooftop of one of Paddington Central’s buildings and published onto our YouTube channel, social media accounts and website. How long is the programme? ‘Truth On The Roof’ is a 15-week storytelling project focused on helping young artists share their opinions on meaningful social issues through music and spoken word. How do I apply? If you want to be one of the 20 artists in this program, apply now!

You Press PLAY project of 2024 Event occurs every 4-8 weeks.

Coming soon, You Press REWIND 2024. 19th December 2024. Reflecting on the last year and our plans for 2025.

Get ready for The Collective 2024 - a gathering of like-minded individuals coming together to inspire and create change!

A new programme designed to support developmentally delayed children and their families Functional Learning is a method used to support developmentally delayed children and their families. This is a method of childhood learning developed in 1976, based on research by Dr. Geoffrey Waldon. Jane Blatt, an experienced Waldon facilitator, has produced an updated book entitled “Every Child Can Learn” It is based on our knowledge about typical early childhood development and uses purposeful and enjoyable activities to help developmentally delayed children and adults to learn things that will help them to function in daily life. What is Functional Learning Workshop And Why Should You Apply? These workshops are designed to help parents learn more about the history and principles of Functional Learning, and how it can be used to help with their child’s learning needs. Functional Learning uses appropriate environments, activities and practices that encourage children to expand their physical, functional, and emotional abilities. Through our functional learning workshop you will learn: The History and Background of Functional Learning Play in Early Childhood Secondary Defensive Behaviour Social Play and Non-social Play Play and Learning with Developmental Delay Understanding communication with developmental delays How to Provide an Appropriate Environment for Children The Neuroscience of Emotions, Movements and Learning How to Use ‘Learning-to-Learn’ Tools Simple Play Ideas How do the workshops work? Gaining knowledge on how to integrate functional learning into day-to-day life Understanding how we can use items around us for functional learning Supporting families and children on their life journeys Empower parents to implement changes that benefit their child Learning ways to support child intellectually, physically, and emotionally progress How to apply All participants will have access to free advice session at the end of the workshop and there will be slots available for you to sign up for a private meeting which is tailored to your needs. Apply now.

Our 5th annual community dinner was held in April 2023. Watch the video to see how the day went!