FREE photography exhibition @ 3 Carnaby Street, 9th-22nd August
We are so excited to announce that from 9th – 22nd August, Young Westminster Foundation will be hosting a FREE photography exhibition on Carnaby Street!
This is an opportunity to dive into the history of Westminster’s youth clubs which have nurtured the vibrant heart of youth culture for over 150 years.
Youth clubs are fun, informal, communal spaces for young people to connect with their friends and community. Youth clubs are safe spaces, often seen as a home away from home. Westminster’s youth clubs have supported young people in living happy, healthy and fulfilled lives since the world’s oldest youth club opened here in 1866.
Being home to the world’s first youth club, Westminster has played a key role in youth culture. From the mods and rockers of the swinging ‘60s who ventured to stylish Carnaby Street, to the rebellious punk era of the ’70s and the grime and rap scene which dominates youth clubs today.
The exhibition includes a ‘memory wall’ which welcomes visitors to share their own youth club experiences to celebrate how organisations have helped nurture Westminster’s young people and support community development across the capital. The space also includes a physical installation which recreates the feel of a youth club where films from our local youth charities will be screened. We are keen to hear your experiences from your youth, which spaces were important to you growing up? Who inspired you? Where did you find opportunities? Visit us and share your experiences!
Youth clubs are sacred spaces. Unfortunately they are in decline due to lack of funding. Since 2011, London has lost 51% of it’s youth clubs and 42% of it’s youth workers. English councils have cut youth service funding by an average of 40% over the past 3 years. The areas with the largest spending cuts have suffered the biggest increases in knife crime.
Help to keep youth clubs beating at the heart of culture and visit the Forever Young: 150 Years of Youth Clubs photography exhibition, created in collaboration between the Young Westminster Foundation and Positive View Foundation.
Forever Young will be open everyday from 9th-22nd August at 3 Carnaby Street
Follow us on insta @visit.foreveryoung
