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East Potential, part of the East Thames Group, runs a successful foyers programme, which provides accommodation and wide ranging support services for more than 470 disadvantaged young people.
The 16 to 24 years olds who benefit from foyer accommodation are in housing difficulty, but also show the potential to benefit from formal programmes designed to help them achieve long-term independence. As well as taking part in intensive lifeskills training, young people have access to basic skills and vocational courses, enabling them to work towards career goals.
They can also take part in cultural and arts projects, such as the celebrations which marked the tenth anniversary of Focus E15, East Potential's foyer in Stratford, east London. The arts play an important role in re-engaging hard to reach young people, helping them to build self-esteem, confidence and new skills.
As part of the celebrations 168 young people took part in 10 different creative projects, working with 32 arts professionals. The young people put on two live performances, at the East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf and Stratford Circus, east London.
The shows, devised by the young people themselves, explored ideas of progress. They included a specially commissioned performance with dance, vocals, theatre, sound and projected visuals.
There was also a video made by young film makers looking back at 10 years of East Potential. Both events were rounded off by a catwalk fashion show, which presented the work of fourteen young designers from the foyers and local communities.
For further information on East Potential and its foyers programmes visit www.east-potential.org.uk
