News

Do you want to be the next BIG MUSIC ARTIST to come out of London. Or maybe you want to work behind the Scenes. Ever wondered how your musical heroes got their big break. Join us. ART AGAINST KNIVES would like to invite you to UTalks, an evening of conversation with some of the industries biggest players, hosted in Mother Advertising Agency, Shoreditch.

CSV and Positive Futures present the URBAN graffiti art project for 13 - 25 year olds in Hackney .

CSV Positive Futures presents the PROJECT X talent show for 13 -25 year olds in Hackney .

Adam Deacon, best known for his role in Kidulthood and his directorial debut, Anuvahood helped the NE Youth Forum launch THE EDGE, aka Young Hackney Woodberry Down on Saturday. The Edge is the last of the five Young Hackney centres to open.

This year Hoxton Hall Youth Theatre Company are collaborating with the award winning theatre director Stef O’Driscoll, film and theatre writer Omar El Khairy , and movement director Tuan Ly on An Ancien Regime, a modern adaptation of Lord of the Flies.

Working with Bwark (the people that made The Inbetweeners on TV) you'll learn how to write and polish comedy scripts. You'll get support from experienced script editors who will help you work up your ideas into a script ready for production.

An opportunity to help shape the future of the Olympic Park - open to all Hackney young people aged 14 - 18. To register email: naomi@fundamental. uknet or telephone 07961 001 513.

Poll outcomes. 40% voted for 11 - 13 37% voted for 14 - 16 23% voted for 17+ The question was who does the website appeal to. The results are above. What will we do with this information. We would like make the website more appealing to all users, including young people aged 17 to 19 So we'll be asking a group of young people in this age group the kind of changes they'd like to make We'll also update the jobs, training and apprenticeships pages more often.

Would you like £5000 to get your idea off the ground. If you have an idea for your own project or event, you could apply to the Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund and make your idea a reality. Young people decide on the projects to fund Over the past year, the Hackney YOF Panel (a group of 13 - 19 year olds who have been trained up as Grantmakers) have funded 50 projects, allowing over 1,000 young people to take part in many thousands of hours of activities.

Make a short film with Mouth That Roars and get it screened all over the world.

Spoken Word/Hip Hop Project working on writing and performing skills starts at Hoxton Hall every Wednesday 4. 00 - 6. 00pm Open to young people aged 14-19 yrs old. Work with Kenny Baraka (Apples and Snakes and legendary Hip Hop/Spoken Word artist himself having toured with the likes of De La Soul and Omar) to develop your lyrics and build your confidence leading up to a Showcase Event on 27 March.

If you're aged 16 - 24, sign up to the MOPAC event Wednesday 6 March.

Emeli Sande dropped in backstage at the 13th annual performance of Boroughs United on Sunday, as 300 young artists and event managers came together from across the capital. The show at Hackney Empire featured singers, dancers, MCs & poets, playing to a packed audience and judging panel that included Chris George (producer to Leona Lewis and Usher) Hackney’s rising star Jermain Jackman and the Empire’s Directors, Roland and Claire Muldoon.

Are you aged 11 – 17 years. Attend school or live in Hackney. Why not enter the Hackney Mini Marathon Trials 2013. YOU could be part of the Hackney team entering the Virgin Mini Marathon on the 21 April 2013.

Millfields Park in E5 was the venue for the Think Big O2 funded Clapton Sports Competition last week. Over 250 young people aged 8-21 took part. The event was led by 18 year old Zakariya Ahmed from Clapton.

It was nothing special. My mum got it for a bargain at the local second hand shop. It was a cheap thing, looked like something that jumped straight out of the seventies or something. Mum calls it ‘vintage’, I call it ‘tacky’.

Ten reasons why Mario is COLOSSALLY. better than sonic. 1:story is more interesting 2:maker is better at making games 3:there is even a trailer for the game 4:the game is still viral. 5:loads of people still play the awesome game 6:doesn't make you angry when you die 7:it will never get old 8:graphics are rubbish but better than sonics graphics 9:everyone likes the game 10:an awesome story And this is ten reasons why sonic is the most substandard game in history.

The GFM Community project ran from October to December and was funded through the Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund. Saabah Asiedu tells Young Hackney about her Live Radio Talk Show. 'In our original proposal we said we would recruit 25 young people, but we were over-subscribed - we were able to recruit over 30 young people who were able to come regularly every Saturday.

The last survey was successful so thank you for all your time and effort filling in the responses. And the results are. Young Hackney activities - all free. 60% 80% off in the Sales - 26%. £9bn for the Olympics - 15%.

There was a full house at Hackney Empire on Friday evening, for the final showdown to fight for the crown of Alter Ego 2013. Alter Ego 2013 winners The launch event went off with a bang and saw some great performances from all finalists – rappers, dancers, comedians and singers alike.

For Hackney residents aged 16 - 25 years, at the new ELISE Centre, Dalston Lane. Web and social media courses 23 and 24 January 10. 00am - 4. 00pm Documentary film-making and editing 30, 31 January and 6 February All training leads to an accreditation.

How do you define your identity. What do you share with other people who live in this country that makes you British. Is it just about where you were born, or what you believe. Our Everyday Lives TV debate show are looking for young people between 14 and 18 to join this debate and be in the audience or crew members.

RimzArtist & Conscious were winners of the Alter Ego online poll - get to see them live on february 1 at Hackney Empire. More details at www. discoveryounghackney. com

Rhythm of Diversity is a short 12 week project for 15-19 year olds, showing how culturally diverse Hackney really is, also it is a great chance to build new relationships with more senior members of your family or the community (by finding out what moves they used).

“. Sophie is on a strict curfew for ‘her own good’, but the world beckons outside her window– will her parent’s wishes prevail. Can Shanade tell her friends about her desperate situation or will she face it all alone.

go ahead and watch this video about downloading mods and texture packs for minecraft. if you are new to minecraft watch this video so you can understand what its about. after you fully understand .

Between the ages of 16-24 . Interested in a career in the following: Childcare Health and Social Care Business Administration Customer Service Come to the Springboard Hackney OPEN DAY Tuesday 22 January, 11.

Getfamilyar comes to Hackney searching for Stars on the Estate in a series of music recording workshops every Saturday for 12 weeks. Our mobile recording studio will call on the following estates from 12 noon to 4.

No surprise that over 50% of you thought that those at the top are rewarded for doing badly, while everyone else has to struggle along. But a good few people (30%) are interested only in the day-to-day.

A creative writing workshop at the Geffrye Museum for young and emerging writers of poetry, flash-fiction and spoken word. Taking inspiration from your everyday life and surroundings, this workshop will have you writing about everything from bottle tops to roof tops.

Hoxton Hall are looking for a company of young performers and theatre makers to devise and perform a brand new piece of theatre this spring. With the help of theatre professionals the group will use historic newspaper cuttings, oral histories, archive material and old photographs to create a piece of theatre that tells the story of this vibrant east London borough.

Come and visit the new Woodberry Down Youth Hub. The Young People of Young Hackney would like to invite you for a hot drink, a mince pie and a tour of the new Woodberry Down Youth Hub, Woodberry Grove, N4 1SN – opening in January 2013.

Four teams of young people from around Hackney will compete in the cook-off. We are inviting friends, family and colleagues to come and dine with us. You will be judge and jury by deciding how much each course is worth.

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR HACKNEY'S UNTAPPED TALENT. COULD IT BE YOU. Hackney's biggest Talent Show returns. Audition online, or attend our auditions on Saturday 12 January for your chance to perform on the Hackney Empire stage as part of the Alter Ego finals.

Shoreditch Youth Forum has decided to move from The Bridge Academy to the new Young Hackney Youth Hub on Forest Road. If you would like attend the forum meeting we meet every Thursday, 4. 30 - 6. 30pm in the chill out room at Forest Road.

Star in a short film at Mouth that Roars. MTR are casting for ‘Shanade's Story’ A short film We are looking for YOUNG WOMEN aged 14 – 17, so if you are interested in acting in this short drama then contact Mouth That Roars.

MVMNT returns once with something a little different. Battle of the bands. - 6 acts battle it out, playing 15 minute set each in front of our live audience and special guest judges for a chance to win a day in a professional recording studio recording their own song.

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, dropped into the new Forest Road centre recently, and met with young people including the recently elected Youth Parliament (pictured). Accompanied by the Lead Member for Children's Services, Cllr Rita Krishna, she took a tour of the new building, which was running an after school programme of football, multimedia and youth participation.

You could be in the audience for this live online debate. You need to be at the Mouth That Roars Studio at 12. 00pm if you want to take part. To book your place contact Denise on 020 7729 2323.

Are you a dance innovator brimming with ideas. Do you need to boost your skills and networks to help make these ideas happen. The fi. eld will be a unique collective of dance innovators aged 16 – 25 years brimming with ideas and hungry to learn.

Mimbre are holding a two-day masterclass, which will teach you advanced tricks and tips in acrobatics and acrobalance (like the trick shown in the photo). The class will focus on three and four person group pyramids as well as partnerwork.

Stereotype is a word most young people in Hackney probably don't know the meaning of. That in itself is part of the stereotype most people have for Hackney. Located in the East end, Hackney is famous for its crime, estates and - above all - how its young inhabitants behave and live.

Framed Film Festival is a new annual festival of cinema screenings and activities for young people aged 12 – 18. Framed FOCUS includes films about everything from grafitti artists in New York City and ex-gang members in Birmingham, to champion athletes and musicians during the Second World War.

Free Arts Festival for young people, Saturday 17 November. Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High Street London E1 7QX Live Music: Space of Light Remixed 1. 00–5. 00pm Students from CM youth and community music perform in the Gallery, combining traditional instruments with modern sound production.

The Hackney Empowering Active Team (HEAT), from Hackney Quest, has just been honoured with a 2012 Young Partners Award, given by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS). The award was given to the team, all aged 14 – 25, for their work in helping to run the youth programme at Frampton Park Youth Club.

MASSAGE AND CHILL-OUT SESSIONS FOR YOUNG WOMEN AGED UNDER 19. Need to unwind. Do you suffer from aches and pains. Feeling pressure from school work. Want a place to relax. Why not join our new group, starting 20 November at the Forest Road Youth Hub 29 Forest Road, Dalston, E8 3BY (At Junction with Beechwood Rd, opposite Holy Trinity Primary School).

Stepping Up Youth joined forces with CSV Young Hackney Volunteers and Young Hackney to create a memorable opening event for the new Young Hackney Centre at Concorde. The line-up featured (from the top) Rebecca - honorary MC, S.

Cassie opens the evening; Ebonessence at their best; mocktails all round. ; Justified Prince performs his own material.

The inheritors of the Ebonnesence Flame. Stepping Up Dance Group; outstanding singer-songwriter Cassie; Lucy de Groot, Chief Executive at CSV; and another appearance from Rebecca, who hosted the event alongside Marvin of the Stepping Up Youth Board.

Welcome to the new Young Hackney Forest Road centre A week-long celebration to mark the official opening of the new Young Hackney centres kicked off at Dalston on Saturday, with nearly 500 people turning out to see what the Forest Road centre has to offer.

Page Cloud. That's the name of the soon to come MyVoice Hackney online interactive magazine. If anybody aged 13 - 16 in the Hackney area has any thoughts on topics that you would like to see discussed in Page Cloud OR you have any articles that you would like to submit, email Myvoice@hackney.

More than 6,000 young people voted in the 2012 Hackney Youth Parliament election. Following months of writing manifestos, speaking at hustings and trying to convince class mates and those at local youth centres to vote for them, 28 young people aged 11-19 were chosen to represent the youth of Hackney.

Join your local Team v - do good in your community, develop skills and have some fun. Hi, I’m Dami and I’m the Team v Leader for Hackney. Over the next year from September 2012 to June 2013 I’ll be running three awesome campaigns in our area and I’m looking for enthusiastic 16-25 year olds to join my team and help make them happen.

Review of Professor Quantum's Magnificent Time Tour By Hannah Abban (15) from MyVoice Hackney "The Time Tour was great fun, easy to find too (just off trafalgar square). It was a unique combination of sci-fi and history.

Free event this Saturday 29 September at the Redmond Centre, Kayani Avenue .

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the contribution that Black African and Caribbean communities have made both on a local level and across the globe. Hackney Council will be celebrating Independence, Democracy and Leadership by highlighting contributions made by the black community as well as promoting the importance of active citizenship and political participation from minority communities.

Latest poll results sums up your attitudes to the Olympics and Paralympics, now that it's all over (sob. ) 60% of those who voted thought it would be amazing. and they're the ones who are probably feeling pretty smug now.

Young Hackney Hoxton Hall is opening its doors on Sunday 16 September. This is YOUR chance to see the brand-new centre and find out what Hoxton Hall has to offer, Through the Hoxton youth arts programme you'll be able to take part in drama, music, art and design, and through Young Hackney services you'll be able to get information and advice, workshops, careers options, youth enterprise and more.

Mouth That Roars is looking for young people interested in a project that will link youth groups in the UK with groups in Finland. The project will run between October and December. The idea of the project is to explore democracy and compare democratic processes across Europe.

North London Muslim Football Club are looking for new players.

Thirty-six young people from Hackney have spent the last week volunteering at Paralympic Games’ sporting arenas. Three Young Games Makers (YGM) teams were chosen from Young Hackney groups, with a fourth team picked from Clapton Girls School.

Are you between 11 and 25. Live, Work or study in Hackney. Want to try gardening. grow your own veg. and eat it. The project runs two hour gardening groups every week on a Tuesday and Thursday .

Are you male. Aged 16-20. Want to create risk-taking, energetic theatre. We are looking for the next generation of performers. Have you got what it takes. Renowned physical theatre company Frantic Assembly is launching a UK wide training programme for young men age 16-20.

The Arcola Academy is a theatre group for Hackney residents aged 16-25 who already have some experience and are ready to take their skills to the next level. It could provides you with a vital springboard towards further education, higher education, employment or a career in the creative industries.

flossy1998 posted this comment: Freedom to me. Is having the choice to do what you want. In some ways freedom and be bad because if your growing up and your parents give you that sense of freedom you get used to it because with that freedom you could lets say go bed late and maybe when your young it won't be so bad.

Are you aged 19 to 25. Looking for the leadership skills to put you ahead in your future career. Want to make a difference in your community. Apply to UpRising today. UpRising is Britain's premier leadership programme for young adults aged 19-25 designed to equip you with all the skills and experience you will need to further your career ambitions and at the same time give back to your community.

Over the past year, Hackney’s diverse community’s have created a thought-provoking exhibition focusing on varying interpretations of freedom through film, audio, photography, painting and writing.

It's one of those moments when you'll be able to say. I was there. the Olympic Torch arrived in Hackney, and Hackney showed the world how we like to party. Over 100,000 people turned out to cheer the torchbearers as they carried the flame through Shoreditch, Stoke Newington, Clapton and on to Mabley Green.

The LOL Comedy School is now open and there are still a few places left. The course is for anyone aged 13 -19, and you don't need to have performing experience, jsut enthusiasm and a willingness to learn The course is run by comedy professionals in the business.

We are giving you and a friend the fantastic opportunity to see Chip at Proud II (O2) tomorrow (25th July) To enter all you have to do is answer this simple question: What is Chip's real name. Send your answers along with your name, d.

A fortnight ago, Hackney Youth Parliament and One Voice held Hackney’s second youth conference. The conference was entitled Let’s Talk and focused on hearing the voices of young people about safeguarding issues.

Latest results of the young hackney poll shows that you are connoisseurs of the urban artform. Almost an even split between those of you who thought graffiti could be good and those who thought it could be bad.

Hackney Youth Parliament and Our Voice Our Choice present the Let's Talk Conference. What dangers do young people face in today's world - on the internet, on the streets, in daily life. Is there a way we can all contribute to make sure young people are safe.

It's going to be Hackney's biggest-ever Street Party - if you want to be part of the Parade you can register by emailing getinvolved@keithkhanassociates. com stating which part of the parade you want to join (Afrobeat, Silk Routes, Electrobeat etc.

Stoke Newington Youth Forum presents Hackney JAM. the best young acts in Hackney and all for free. Tuesday 3 July at Stoke Newington Town Hall. To reserve your ticket, email mandy. richards@hackney.

Do you see the world through an Olympic lens. Positive or negative, put across your point of view in a picture.

OPPORTUNITY. One Year On campaign: Malorie Blackman MyVoice UK have an exciting opportunity for a couple of exceptional young people from each MyVoice region to meet Malorie Blackman and work with her on our new campaign, One Year On.

Young people from youth group Pillars of Transformation ask Well Street citizens about their views on the Olympics.

Following the publication of Dear Dylan, author Siobhan Curham has been inundated by emails from readers who, inspired by the confidential nature and themes of the book, have opened up to her about their own dreams and fears.

James, Ekran, Emmanuel, Chandler and Farad have produced this short film about life at the Boxing Academy on Hackney Grove.

Best excuse you've given for being late. how about 'I was struck by Zeus'; or 'I woke up with Beyonce'. Ever heard a Grime version of 'The wheels on the bus. ' Ashley and TJ serve up a brand of comedy madness that gets you every time - and it certainly worked for the crowd at the Acting UP showcase at Hackney Attic.

Debating it is. Calling all 13 - 16 year olds who like to have their voices heard (most of you I'm sure :-s ) . MyVoice Hackney will be holding a debating competition during the summer and we are looking for young people to be on a team.

Young Hackney gives you an Olympic boost, with a month of good stuff. Lol Comedy Jam : 5 June, Hackney Attic, Hackney Picturehouse What’s Good Careers & Enterprise Fair : 6 June, Tomlinson Centre What's Good - Strait Talk Debate Show : 6 June, Tomlinson Centre What’s Good Talent Show : 7 June, Stoke Newington Town Hall Access to Sport Mini-festival of Sport : 7 and 8 June Hoxton Hall - Theatre Centre presents Tell It.

Love Art, Dance, Theatre, Film & Music. The Barbican Centre is the largest multi-arts venue in Europe, presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning events.

Check out Hackney Myvoicer Hannah Abban interviewing Asia House Festival Director Adrienne Loftus-Parkins. The Asia House Festival of Asian Literature is running from 15th - 31st May and in partnership with the MyVoice mentoring programme they have welcomed 6 young reporters who over the duration of the Festival, they will be working with as they review selected events, video recording author interviews and writing articles to appear on the Asia House website and elsewhere.

Wretch wants you to take the stage. Vote now. there's still time to upload your own tune. Click here for more http://bit. ly/KQ5VNQ .

Leona Lewis, Plan B, Labrinth, Dizzie Rascal, Ashley Walters, Rizzle Kicks, Lethal B, Adam Deacon, Riz Ahmed, Paloma Faith, Fearne Cotton, Gemma Cairney and Trevor Nelson are confirmed to take part in BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra’s Academy.

Point Blank is an award-winning music college based in East London offering expert professional music production, sound engineering, radio production, DJ, singing and songwriting training to students from all over the world.

Young people from the Suffolk Estate welcomed Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson last week, when he paid a visit to their newly-refurbished pitch in Benjamin Close. The Gunners' star was there to take part in one of the first games on the freshly-laid turf.

Calling all Designers and Web Developers. NICOLA is currently looking for Web designers and developers to help redesign our website and also help us create a new web page. We need fresh, exciting, imaginative, creative ideas to update our current web site.

Nicola Talent Factory presents OPEN MIC at the Chelsea Theatre Date: Saturday 5th of May 2012 Time: 18. 00 - 20. 00 Venue: Chelsea Theatre, SW10 0DR ‘Open Mic at the Chelsea Theatre’ On Saturday 5th of May 2012, London charity NICOLA - New Company of Live Arts will holding its first open mic session at the Chelsea Theatre in Chelsea.

In October 2011 a group of young people from North London Muslim Community Centre were successful in acquiring Youth Opportunity Funding for an ambitious idea to travel to Africa’s smallest in-land country, The Gambia.

Could you live the life of a worker in Asia - stay in their homes, eat their food and report to real bosses. Are you adventurous and not afraid to speak your mind. This could be your chance to experience life on the other side of the world, and find out how your favourite things are made.

Films from Hackney UTC digital media workshops at Young Hackney Stoke Newington.

Laburnum are having an inclusive open day this Sunday - open to all young people with a disability, plus family and friends.

You are invited to The Trinity centre, Beechwood Road on Tuesday 24/4/12 @ 6-8 pm to help sample and decide on the furniture for the new Young Hackney centre at Forest Road. OR Come along to CLR James Library on Thursday 26/4/12 5pm - 7pm.

You are invited to The Trinity centre on Tuesday 24/4/12 @ 6. 00pm -8. 00pm to help sample and decide the furniture that will fill the new Young Hackney Centre at Forest Road. OR You can come along to see us at CLR James Library on Thursday 26/4/12 @ 5.

The BTEC course runs over two years and provides an opportunity to develop skills in circus and performance, enabling you to move on to a higher level qualification in this area or other performing arts professions.

Applications are currently open for Circus Space's London Youth Circus. Auditions will be held in June and August and you can find out more about the programme, which is a part of the Centre for Advanced Training (CAT) scheme, on the Circus Space website http://www.

Well we all like music and dancing meeting new friends, we all can do that in one place dont you think we should have a under 15s party do you know kent they have krystales under 18s party its sounds fun and it looks fun but shouldnt we have something like that lets try and ask the concil or mayor or what ever if you want something like that then try and help ok.

Want to make a change in the world. Well you need to vote then. if you're over 18 get yourself registered now.

Hackney Quest/ Hackney Empowering Active Team (HEAT) would like to invite you/youth group to KEEP THE PEACE EVENT which aims to promote our POSITIVE YOUNG PEOPLE from Hackney and promote PEACE in the community.

Hackney Council Parks and Open Spaces team has two apprenticeship opportunities available: Apprentice Gardener Apprentice Park Keeper To get full details of the roles and to apply, visit the Council site: http://www.

MyVoice have joined up with Asia House to find a group of six aspiring reporters to be the official Young Reporters of the 2012 Asia House Festival of Asian Literature. The chosen six reporters, aged 13 - 19, will work with Asia House and The Reading Agency to report on the amazing events taking place at the festival.

Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend registration closed on Monday with 265,000 people from all over the UK wanting to come to the event. Now you've registered you need to get ONLINE from 11. 00am on Sunday 25 March with your registration number to book your tickets.

Tribute concert promoter Jermain writes: We all know of the death of Whitney Houston. She has had a massive influence on many up-and-coming artist and already established performers around the world, vocally and musically.

If you could ask anyone anything about Hackney what would it be. Who lives here and do they get on. Where do you stand on gentrification. What’s the role of music in Hackney. You are invited to a sharing of work created by young people who took on the challenge of asking the people of Hackney the questions that matter to them.

The route for the Olympic Torch Relay has been announced - it will come into the Borough in Shoreditch, make a loop around Clissold Park before heading out towards Leyton. Here's a map of where the torch is going .

Are you aged 13 – 16 years. Have you ever wanted to be part of creating an online magazine. If so, contact Dawn Hendrickson @ Dawn. Hendrickson@hackney. govuk or Natalie Lewis @ Natalieserena.

Nearly 800,000 people have swum at the London Fields Lido since it opened in 2007. It is one of Hackney’s most talked about venues and it's London's only heated 50metre outdoor swimming pool.

Latest acts confirmed: Delilah, Lostprophets, Enter Shikari, B. oB, Gyptian, Santigold, Ben Howard, Madeon, Sway and Lethal B. They will be joining headliner Jay-Z as well as the likes of Tinie Tempah, Jessie J, Florence & The Machine and Leona Lewis.

A new cabaret in Hackney. Venue: The Blue Hut. 49 Provost Street, N1 7NZ Saturday 24 March, doors 6. 15pm Ticket price: £4. 00/ £2. 00 concs For ages 16+ There are few opportunities for different communities and generations to communicate.

As part of the lead up to the Hackney Weekend, young people from Hackney have been given the chance to visit the 1Xtra studios, meet the DJs, fiddle round with the equipment, RECORD their own demo and take part in LIVE broadcasts.

Jay-Z has been confirmed as one of the top acts at Radio 1 ’ s Hackney Weekend . He's set to perform alongside Tinie Tempah, Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Florence + the Machine, Professor Green, Le ona Lewis , DJ Fresh, P lan B, Flo Rida and Will.

Learn business, entrepreneurship and bee-keeping skills in this amazing course. The bees make the produce - if you sell it you get paid.

Time's running out if you want to pre-register for Hackney Weekend tickets. There are over 50,000 tickets available to Hackney residents but to stand a chance of getting a ticket you need to register before 19 MARCH.

There's free tickets available to the world premiere of the 'Home' project at the British Film Institute on the South Bank. This is a chance to see some thought-provoking and challenging short films made by young people.

Wednesday 7 March | 4. 30 - 6. 30pm Friday 9 March | 10. 00am - 12. 00noon Saturday 10 March | 11. 00am - 1. 00pm The Redmond Community Centre, Kayani Avenue, London N4 2HF Come along to one of three workshops run by the artists Something and Son to explore ideas for the new community artwork for The Redmond Community Centre.

http://www. bbccouk/careers/trainee-schemes/london-2012-apprenticeship Amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door at the BBC. Creative Digital Media Level 3 apprenticeships up-for-grabs. Deadline for applications 21 February.

Unique film project open to all people in Hackney. Record your view of the area and upload it via YouTube for the chance to be part of a film that will be screened during summer 2012. The film is all about exploring what’s unique about life in Hackney today.

What with Discover Young Hackney launch night and news about the R1 Hackney Weekend, we completely forgot to post the results from last month’s poll. You may have forgotten the question> Young Hackney asked how you would define 2012… and you answered… Year of the Dragon 20% Olympic Dream 24% Get it together 56% So we're all for sorting ourselves out.

Work with a Home and Giftware product designer to design and make your own Geffrye Museum inspired gift product. Project sessions: 5 - 7pm on Thursday 8 March, Tuesday 13 March, Thursday 22 March and Tuesdays 3, 10, 17 and 24 April.

Tuesday 13th March, 5 - 6pm Dalston C. LR James Library Dalston Square E8 3BQ The first MyVoice Hackney group will meet @ the new Dalston CLR James Library. TO GET INVOLVED come to the first meeting AND FIND OUT MORE.

Workshop for young people - improve your public speaking Are you scared of speaking in public. Would you like to learn how to become a better speaker. Speaking in public can be a scary experience for many young people (and adults too.

North London Muslim Community Centre is holding a pool tournament to raise funds for their Giving 2 Gambia project. The tournament is part of a Family fun day that will be held at NLMCC 66 - 68 Cazenove Road, Stamford Hill.

Learn to grow food to sell locally and run an organic garden Growing Communities is a social enterprise based in Hackney and run by local people. We run a weekly Organic Fruit and Veg Box Scheme, the Stoke Newington Farmers Market and three Urban Market Gardens.

At an amazing, sell-out night at the Hackney Empire, the Discover Young Hackney Alter Ego title went to Tolu Okanlawon: ‘The Tower’ who won over the crowd with his show-stopping dance routine.

MyVoice aims to open up opportunities to young people who would not usually use their library. Participants in the project will: help to set up reading and writing hubs develop basic skills in creative and copy writing receive training in digital and social media get access to mentoring from professional from the Creative Industries gain accreditation for your achievements organise events and activities for other young people and much more.

If you haven’t already, get on the BBC site and register for the Hackney Weekend. There are over 50,000 tickets available to Hackney residents. Tickets are free, but there will be a handling fee of £2.

Is this going to be the best festival ever. Stupid question. Professor Green, Labrinth, Tinie Tempah, Leona Lewis, Florence and the Machine, Plan B, Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris, Dj Fresh, Deadmaus, Eric Prydz, Flux Pavilion, Bombay Bicycle Club, Chase & Status, Rizzle Kicks, Maverick Sabre, Jack White, Ting Tings, etc.

Can you help. I am a researcher at the L. SE currently doing work on a six-nation European Commission-funded project looking at young people's involvement in democratic life. I have already run several focus groups (one with unemployed, one with politically uninterested and one with young homeless) and am now looking for a group of young (15-25) year olds who are politically involved (in action, youth parliament, protest etc).

Free apprenticesheips offered through the Association of Accounting Technicians, the chance to train and learn more about accounting and finance.

Going out to all 13 to 21 year-olds who live in Hackney. Alter Ego kick-starts the 2012 Discover Young Hackney Festival on Friday 3 as the cream of Hackney’s talent competes for the title “Alter Ego 2012”.

Fancy yourself as a leader. Aged 14–21. UnLtd, Nike and Run Dem Crew Youngers are recruiting inspirational young people who’d like to use running & creativity to make a difference in their community.

Immediate Theatre and The Prince’s Trust are looking for motivated young people aged 16-24, who have had contact with the criminal justice system, to get involved in a training and careers programme.

Immediate Theatre and The Prince’s Trust are looking for motivated young people aged 16-24, who have had contact with the criminal justice system, to get involved in a training and careers programme.

If you're unemployed, aged 18+, with an interesd in media AND you'd like to know what it’s like to work at the BBC you can apply to work on the BBC London 2012 work experience programme.

Dv8 training are now recruiting for their Level 1 courses starting in February 2012. If you're the aged 16-19 with a passion for Fashion or Music and want to gain good qualifications in a subject you love, call 0208 509 6070 to sign up.

Hackney Council has set up a permanent jobs market in the borough so residents can apply for temporary posts in security, catering and cleaning during Games-time. If you're interested, you can book an appointment through the Olympic Jobs Hotline - 020 8356 5700.

STRAIT TALK is a live broadcast chat show that gives young people a voice. During this FREE 4 day course you will have the chance to gain hands-on experience in a professional HD broadcast studio, creating and producing your own episode.

Are you a fashionista, a trendsetter. Do you know the difference between fashion mystique and fashion mistake. YOU ARE HIRED. London Swagga is the first ever young people’s led fashion brand, for young people by young people.

London 2012 Recruitment Event 7 February 10. 00am -3. 00pm Stadium Suite, John Lewis 3 rd Floor, Westfield Stratford City, E15 For information and to register your place call 0845 2668707 A recruitment event to find out about paid roles available to be involved in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The British Youth Council and the Child Poverty Action Group is asking young people from across the UK to get involved in a letter-writing campaign to help end child poverty. They are asking young people to write to their MP to demand that Parliament keeps its promise to end child poverty by 2020.

Hoxton Hall Young People meet the Builders Young people from Hoxton Hall took a tour of building works to see progress on the £1. 1m refit. They were able to meet the contractors, look at the architects plans and see work on the new Young Hackney youth centre .

Watch the video auditions for Alter Ego (the launch event for Discover Young Hackney) and vote for your favourites. Lil Opy + Shimzie Frizz + Renee Tirian Alastair F. ACE Still time to upload your own video.

As part of Discover Young Hackney 2012, YH World is offering free media training in January. 9th January – 6. 30 / 8. 30pm: brainstorm for Staying Safe logo @ Wieden Kennedy in Shoreditch. Open to ALL 11th January – 6.

As we venture into the year that the Olympics comes to London, why not try out a brand new sport. Come along have fun and get fit by doing some non-contact boxing. Monday nights starting JANUARY 16 St Matthias be running the following sessions: Female-only: 6:30 – 7:30pm Male-only: 7:30 – 8:30pm SIGN UP FOR FREE BEFORE IT GETS FULLY BOOKED St Matthias Club 101 Dalston Lane London – 0208 123 1135 Stmatthiasbc@aol.

Make a short documentary about your life in 2012 – and you could see it screened at the Hackney Picturehouse on Mare Street. Whatever your experience, and whether you make a new film from start to finish or would like to submit something you’ve already made, Docscreen wants to hear from you.

If you were put forward for the Olympic Torch Relay, but weren't successful, there's no reason for you to miss out. The London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay will begin at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire (where the Paralympics started out) on Tuesday 28 August 2012 and will be carried to the Olympic Stadium to officially open the Paralympic Games the next day.

The latest results for the Young Hackney poll, which asked what you thought of the generation gap. Do you see a pensioner on the bus and offer your seat. Do older people see a hoodie and think trouble.

Security firm G4S are now recruiting online at www. securinglondon2012. com for vacancies at Games-time. If you are successful in your application you will receive free training to get your Door Supervisor SIA Licence This is a fantastic opportunity for people who would like to break in to the security industry, but may not have the experience or qualification.

Follow the link. http://www. oureverydaylives. tv/blog/a-christmas-message/ .

This Sunday brings the start of Hackney Oaks , the everyday lives of Hackney’s young people. Follow the stories of Melody, Sean, Joseph, Dominic, Tyrel and Bradley in this unique three-parter, broadcast through Our Everyday Lives TV.

The BBC has just published an advert for a six month contract to come and work in the Music Events Interactive team. They need someone to run social media for Hackney 2012, engaging with the young East London community at the grassroots, and making sure that all their community outreach activity is reaching all the right people.

Sofa Surfer Trailer from Gaelle Tavernier on Vimeo . Off Centre is launching a campaign to address the issue of hidden homelessness. What is hidden homelessness. No-one knows how many young people in London are sofa surfing - living on sofas in the homes of friends or relatives with nowhere else to go.

Hoxton Hall will be launching a new Youth Theatre Company in 2012 and we are looking for vibrant young people age 14-19yrs old, with an interest or passion for theatre and performance to join. The Company will work towards a public performance in May 2012, developping skills in ensemble and text work as part of the process.

Hoxton Hall are looking for musicians to join our new 'Super band'. It doesn't matter what style of music you're into; if you're aged between 14 and 19; play an instrument and are passionate and serious about music-making come along and audition for a chance to compose, arrange and perform to a professional standard.

Can you . dance, sing, act, rap, tap, juggle, balance, contort, perform a trick, get a laugh, fly through the air, make people go oooooh or make people go aaaaah. Audition for your chance to perform on the Hackney Empire stage For ages 13-21 Alter Ego finals on 3 February 2012.

Rising Tide's last jam session of 2011 - this Friday 16th December at the Hackney Attic. Invited guests - house band + an open mic spot . bring along your music, instrument, voice, backing track.

15 x Cleaning and Support Services Apprenticeships available. NB Deadline has been extended until tomorrow 8 DECEMBER. Recognised Level 2 qualifications in recycling, maintenance, waste management, customer care; team working; health & safety; specialist cleaning techniques.

After a ten-year stint at Hackney Empire, Borough's United has now moved to the Indigo2 - it's London's biggest and best urban talent show, run by Hackney youth organisation The Crib, and they're now looking for young performers to take the stage.

What would have happened if the Angel Gabriel hadn't delivered the Christmas message and Cinderalla's Fairy Godmother hadn't shown up. The New Britannia Theatre gives Christmas an Urban twist through this brand new play with music.

1 December is World Aids Day – an opportunity for people to join together in the fight against HIV. But what do you know about the HIV virus. Enough to make sure you're protected from infection.

No Spitting , Hackney's premiere showcase for Hip Hop, Bass, Grime, Funk, House and post-Dubstep lyrical talent is back at Hoxton Hall, for a big night on 15th December. Line up features. Bobby Tank Tobias Blow +++ iO, Deft.

Fill in the Hackney Young People's Survey and tell us what you think about activities and services for young people in the borough. The survey only takes two minutes, and, if you enter the prize draw you'll stand the chance of winning £30 in Love to Shop vouchers.

Young Hackney has set aside nearly £50,000 to award to youth projects through the Hackney Youth Opportunity Fund – and we want every penny of that money spent on youth projects run by young people for young people.

Hackney Council is once again encouraging young sports men and women to apply to the Hackney Youth Sport Fund for financial support to pursue their chosen sport. The annual grant recognises the achievements of Hackney’s talented young people.

Tinie Tempah and Florence and the Machine are the latest confirmed artists for the BBC Big Weekender next June – joining a line-up that already features Leona Lewis and Plan B. Leona and Plan B are both going to act as Ambassadors for the event, along with Radio 1/1Xtra DJ Trevor Nelson MBE and Former World and European Triple Jump Champion Phillips Idowu, both of whom were born in Hackney.

Tim Loughton MP , Minister for Children and Families, paid a visit to Young Hackney Stoke Newington Centre on Tuesday 15 to find out more about the new Young Hackney myplace centres - and was given a quick lesson in steelpan by members of the Young Hackney Skittlez Steel Pan Orchestra.

It's all going on in November. job opportunties, volunteering, more news on the BBC BIG Weekender (it's going to be Glastonbury, but in Hackney). Anyway, Fiona (Young Hackney 2012 team) has written out this handy break-down of all the stuff you can get involved in over the next few months and on into 2012.

Film-making project for young people aged 12 - 15 Have you or anyone in your family/circle been affected by gang crime. Balik Arts is starting a film-making project, working with professionals from the industry to make a film about gang crime in London.

Sanchez Roberts and Gaetan Cal, both from Hackney, received a Runners-up Award in the prestigious Between the Lines Filmmaking Competition at a celebratory event at the BFI Southbank on Friday. They accepted the award on behalf of a group of young people from Mouth That Roars who scripted, directed filmed and edited their entry into the competition ‘ Consumerism ’ .

Four days of FREE SIA training with a guaranteed interview for Olympic posts at the end of it. You must be aged 17 - 19, and must be in full time education. Training dates: Saturday 19 November Sunday 20 November Saturday 26 November Sunday 27 November Times: 10.

There's still four places available on DV8's Fusion TV - Video Production, Multimedia, and Music Business course. It's a full time course, starting IMMEDIATELY, and will give you basic skills in video production, digital brand construction and journalism.

Westfield is offering free tickets to the premiere of Breaking Dawn, latest in the Twilight saga. Competion closes on Monday. To enter visit http://uk. westfield. com/stratfordcity/newsletter-sign-up/twilight-premiere You'll probably be signing up for email updates while you do it - so if you're not cool with that check the terms and conditions.

Come to the Young Hackney Volunteers Induction Day to and hear about our current opportunities. You choose what you want to do and when. everything from events co-ordination to working outdoors, befriending the elderly to working as an IT assistant.

Hackney Community College is holding a Recruitment Fair at their Shoreditch Campus, Falkirk Street this Wednesday, 9 November. For details contact marketing@hackney. acuk or call 020 7613 9553. There's thousands of jobs available for people in Hackney in catering, retail and cleaning.

Ok - bit of an exaggeration - you won't actually be working with the man who bought the world Gladiator - but you could make a film that will be used as part of his new film project Britain in a Day .

Shoreditch Youth Forum led a group of twenty 13 - 19 year olds on a Grand Tour of Hackney over the half term, taking in both the hidden historical corners and the newly-emerging landmarks in the East.

Grand Union Orchestra and Grand Union Youth Orchestra are offering two young people in Hackney a pair of £11. 00 tickets for £00000. 00 (that's absolutely nothing) to see their show on 11 November at the Hackney Empire.

The BBC gave young people in Hackney free tickets to their 1st ever under 18's club night. One of the 2012 Youth Ambassadors, Nesrin Sadou, was picked to host the Radio 1Xtra Club TV show.

BBC EastEnders is searching for talented young writers, aged 16 - 22 to write for Award-winning online spin-off drama EastEnders: E20. The online drama is written by a team of young writers, all under the age of 23, who have been trained by EastEnders Script Writers and Producers as part of the BBC ’s E20 Writers School .

As part of CSV's Make a Difference campaign, 14 young people from Young Hackney Volunteers project turned out and spent a day at local care home St Anne's working with the residents. The volunteers spent the afternoon baking dozens of cakes and scones with the residents before offering them to other residents with a nice cup of tea and a smile - all part of the CSV campaign to reduce loneliness and isolation.

No need to travel: Hackney now has two cinemas. The Rio in Dalston, and the newly-opened Picture House on Mare Street. The Picture House is based in the old Ocean building, opposite the Town Hall, has got four screens, and will be showing a mix of mainstream blockbusters and arthouse.

To enter into this competition, you need to 'Like' the Westfield FB site: http://www. facebook. com/westfieldstratfordcity. sk=app_161033847281768 .

Carnival has grown and grown over the years and is now one of the biggest events in the Hackney calendar. Next year, with it being 2012, it's going to be massive. You can take part by getting involved in the Tropical Isles Carnival Workshops: 'It's a London Thing'.

Your chance to get involved in the biggest show on the planet. There are hundreds of opportunities for young people at Games time, find out everything you need to know at the Young Hackney big 2012 Open Day: Friday October 28th at Hackney Town Hall 5.

Over 1,000 young people staged a protest in Westminster to protest aboout cuts to youth services across England. Read more at http://www. bbccouk/news/uk-15446724 .

There's definitely more of them about this time of year: here's Your Hackney Top 5 Five Facts about the undead. World Zombie Day is 8 October - first celebrated at Pittsburgh’s Monroeville Mall in 2006.

Mind the Gap is a DJ/music night in East London created and run by young people. They are looking to recruit young people who would be interested in creating an event in November, broadly focused on creating positive solutions to the summer’s disturbances.

Get with the Hipnotic Ensemble this Autumn and join the team of handpicked creatives taking part in Dance, Drama & Music workshops. For upcoming artists age 14 - 19. Workshops will run Monday - Wednesday, 6.

Show Me Wot You Got 2011 is finally here. The time has come for students in colleges around London to showcase their talents and arts to each other in one venue, with one aim: To Show Us Wot You Got.

If you're aged 16 – 19 and not doing anything at the moment (not in college or employment) you may be interested in this fashion course run by DV8 training. The course will help you to create your own designs, set up a website to market your work, and even set up a fashion shoot with top UK artists Lady Ny , Griminal and Code Red .

October 24th is the deadline to apply for the last few places left on the 2012 Ambassador programme. If you haven't thought about being Ambassador before - here's three reasons why you should apply.

What are Cultural Ambassadors. You will act as consultants on the Discover Young Hackney Festival, from the development stages of the festival right up to the evaluation, inspection, and reporting on the festival itself.

Street Level youth group in St John the Baptist Church, Pitfield Street will be back up and running on 9 November (this is the latest info as of 13 October). The club opens every Wednesday, during term time from 5.

I'd like to thank my agent, my publicist, my weave consultant, the ghost writer of my autobiography and most of all, all of you out there for giving me the chance to present the latest young hackney poll results.

Young people from across Hackney spent a day getting their hands dirty to improve a local park, as part of volunteering group CSV Young Hackney Volunteers . Last weekend, over 100 young people gave up their free time to clearing, weeding and litter-picking at Daubeney Green in Hackney and built several loggeries which are the chosen habitat of stag beetles (seriously in decline across the UK).

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the contribution that Black African and Caribbean communities have made locally, in the UK and across the globe. This year it's the United Nations International Year of People of African Descent, so the celebration in Hackney is bigger than ever – focusing on a theme of Roots, Culture and Tradition.

FYI: Focused Young Individuals is a unique photography exhibition, a result of a collaborative project between over 30 young people and professionals working in art, design, photography and journalism, including Agenda Photography, YH.

Are you are aged 18+ living in Hackney. Would like the chance to perform in our community cast as part of Barbican Offsite this autumn in your local area. Hydrocracker Theatre Company will be staging their highly acclaimed site-specific production, The New World Order at ShoreditchTown Hall as part of the Barbican’s Offsite Season of work in November and December and are looking for 15 Hackney residents to join our Volunteer Community Cast.

A homework club with a difference. At Hackney's Homework Club you can get free tuition in Maths, English and Science from university students and graduates. You'll learn from people who know all about the pressures and pitfalls of studying for exams, and who have succeeded at the highest level.

Hold It Down have some places left on our inter-gen filming project whcih starts on the 24th October. If you're intrested or know any1 17-24 from Hackney who has an interest in learning film making or Caribbean history contact Fiona on 07985609243 or fiona@holditdown.

The BBC will shortly be launching a dynamic new singing competition. With the help of Hackney-based music college Point Blank, scouts for The Voice UK are on the hunt for the UK’s very best vocal talents.

Over the summer, the Hackney Cook-Up Club became the No. 1 catering firm for Young Hackney events. The ten members of the club provided the refreshments for both Screenings with Meaning and the Young Hackney basketball tournament, but now they're branching out from the barbeques.

Are you a 16-24 year old starting your own business. BBC3 would like to speak to young people in Hackney who are setting up their own business to appear in a new series. Are you or do you want to be a young entrepreneur.

World Skills is the largest careers and jobs event in London this year. The event will take place at the Excel Centre from 5 - 8 October. For more information and to book tickets see: http://www. worldskillslondon2011.

Following it's success over the last two years, the Documentary Filmmakers Group are now launching DocScreen 2012 as part of the next Discover Young Hackney Festival. DocScreen is a short doc festival that showcases the documentary talents of young Hackney filmmakers, aged between 13 and 19 years old.

If you're interested in working at the Olympic Park at Games time you need to think about applying now. If you're aged 16 or over there are plenty of opportunities. Especially if you're a student looking for some holiday employment, maybe looking for a job that pays the London living wage, one that allows you to be a part of the biggest event in this country in this century.

Thanks to the Hackney Gazette for this spot: apparently JLS were doing a photo-shoot in a house in Lordship Road this week. Sixth-form pupils from Stoke Newington school made a dash to the address with posters and merchandise for the band to sign.

Come on Hackney - what are you waiting for. Note there's a charge for the phone line, so may be better to apply online if you can at: www. itvcom/talent .

London 2012 Job opportunities for Hackney residents. register your interest now at the first 2012 Recruitment Fair. Wednesday 28 September 2011 10. 00am – 5. 00pm St John’s Hackney, Lower Clapton Road, London E5 OPD There are thousands of jobs available in the lead up to and including the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

StreetGames, in association with Coca-Cola Great Britain, is offering the once-in-a-lifetime chance to work at London 2012 for the whole four weeks of the Olympic Games. There are two distinct opportunities available: Venue Operations (45 places) Showcasing (5 places) Full job descriptions and application forms.

Do you know someone who outplayed, outran, outscored, out-performed every competitor. Anyone who ran the extra mile/went the whole nine yards/covered every blade of grass/left it all on the pitch. The Hackney Sports Awards 2011 are taking place on Wednesday 2 November 2011 at the Hackney Empire.

Two festivals for the price of er. none this weekend. Take your pick from the Carnival parade, Wilton Way street party or the Narrow Way games-fest - all part of the We Love Hackney weekend, or go East to Wick and enjoy the floating forest, open mic, climbing wall.

The BBC is looking for five candidates to fill work placements at a national level: you'll have the option of working at BBC HR Direct, Asian Network or with Radio 1 Live Events. The application process opens on Monday 19 and closes on Friday 30 September.

After having breezed through the first round of auditions for national music competition 'Open Mic Uk', Hackney based duo, Malu and Lily are heading to Essex for round two. This time the stakes are higher and the competition will be fierce, so they need local support.

The biggest shopping centre in Europe opened today right on Hackney's doorstep. Outside of the hundreds of shops there's an All Star Lanes bowling alley and a Vue cinema and events too. open from 13-19 September, the Look Lounge will play host to special beauty treatment sessions from Nails Inc and Filthy Gorgeous as well as one-off Q&A sessions with successful fashion bloggers.

The re-run of the Hackney Carnival probably just about takes No. 1 spot, but the annual Robert Levy Foundation event is still set to be a star event in the upcoming WE LOVE HACKNEY weekend. Featuring singing, poetry, dance, fashion, spoken word and drama, the afternoon will be a showcase for both local talent and featured artists.

Youth of Hackney Radio on Tim Westwood’s BBC 1Xtra show A group of young people living on and around the Fellows Court Estate Hackney visited BBC 1 Xtra to get the inside track on launching their own internet radio station.

Audition this Saturday for new London-based troupe One Youth Dance. Open to all young people age 14 - 18, no previous dance experience necessary. Audition takes place 10 September 11. 00am at Moving Arts Base, 134 Liverpool Road, N1 1LA.

Serious about a career in media. Want to drive the advertising plan for a whole youth arts festival. What is DYH Media. : It’s a board of young directors that get to make big decisions about Discover Young Hackney's advertising and communications plan for 2012.

So volunteering The last young hackney poll asked you for your thoughts on volunteering. Judging by the responses, there's a lot of good will out there: 60% said they'd be interested in volunteering but didn't know how to; 20% said they didn't know what was involved; only 20% said they were too busy.

Cancelled at the very last moment in the August, the Hackney Carnival is now back on. The Council has now decided to rerun the Hackney One Carnival parade as part of a massive 'We Love Hackney' weekend.

This is an exciting opportunity for Hackney residents aged 16 - 25 to take up a FREE four week construction training course starting in Sept 2011. Working in an empty property, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience in carpentry, tiling, painting and decorating, plumbing and Health and Safety from qualified and experienced trainers who have vital industry experience.

Are you aged 13-19. Do you want to sing in a new group and record in a world famous studio used by Katy B, Tinie Tempah, Leona Lewis and The Arctic Monkeys. If so then sign up for the Saturday Voice Jams at The Premises Studios in Hackney Rd, E2.

Hoxton Hall are looking for new musicians to join our band. If you're aged between 14 and 19 and play drums, bass, guitar or keys or anything in between, no matter what music or style of playing you're into, come along and audition for a chance to compose, record and perform at a high level with our talented MCs and singers.

Interested in photography. You should have a crack at the annual Photomonth Youth Photography Award. This year the theme is CHANGE – and there’s plenty of that happening in Hackney. Olympics maybe.

Photo: courtesy CSV volunteer Buki Osofiscan Young Hackney Volunteers, all aged between 13 to 19 years old, have given up their time for free this summer to cook healthy meals to homeless people, maintain local community gardens, and run summer clubs and buddy schemes for children.

The new Marshes centre will be open to all on Saturday 10 September 2011 9. 00am-5. 00pm Loads going on. One2Go Races (Trail Marathon; novice run, bike, run; 10k; 5k; 1k fun run) Eid Cup 2011 football matches The Army inflatable paintballing range non-contact boxing Brazilian Dance class Hula-Hoop classes Soca Aerobics class Kids Olympic tyre race Yoga class Body MOT's & Fitness Tests Cheerleading display Freestyle super skills football workshops music mural painting and much more Hackney Marshes Centre, off Homerton Road, E9 5PF To enter the race series please visit www.

Congratulations to Tao Geoghegan Hart (pictured), who recently won a silver medal at the British Cycling Championships. Tao rides for Cycling Club Hackney , which runs regular sessions at the Nightingale Estate and at Mabley Green.

Laburnum Boat Club have recorded an entire concept album with the help of artist Ruth Ewan, composer Kerry Andrew and poet Evlynn Sharp. Forty members of the club created a part-real, part imagined sonic journey that takes you through Hackney from the Tube along the canal.

Multiculturalism in Action. The Multiculturalism in Action Youth Exchange project has brought eight young people from Hackney together with eight young people from Z uhtu K urtulmus H igh S chool in Istanbul .

The London 2012 organisers are recruiting volunteer performers to participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Get this – if you succeed at the audition you’ll have the chance to perform in front of an audience of 1 BILLION people.

If you need advice on options or clearing, call the National Exam Helpline free from land lines on 0808 100 8000. More videos like this at: http://www. youtube. com/playlist. list=PLB62B6AE5A2AABC27 .

From Hackney Youth Parliament After the day of destruction and riots in our beloved borough, Hackney, the pain and disappointment still sits in everyone’s hearts. From young people to old, we were all affected individually by these unfortunate events.

Boroughs United Summer Special at Rich Mix,line-up includes Ebonessence, K. IR and Stars with Bars Saturday 20 August @ Rich Mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road. £5 concessions. For information and tickets call the Box Office 020 7613 7498 or visit www.

There's still time to get in your nominations for the Olympic torch relay. Even though the 2012 application process is closed you can still make a nomination through Lloyds, Coca-Cola or Samsung.

Connexions has launched a FREE new app called ‘Get Connex’d’, available on Blackberry, iPhone, HTC and all mobile phones which have Internet access. You can find out information on career choices jobs, events in the local area apprenticeships and volunteering college information CV and interview tips personal and money matters To register onto the app, visit: www.

Announcing more free junior sports sessions for 7 –15 year olds @ Clissold Leisure Centre, 63 Clissold Road, London, N16 9EX Monday – Friday, 1 – 26 August Athletics 1. 00 – 2.

Hoxton Street Casting is a Hackney based theatrical agency for teenagers and young adults. For more information visit www. hoxtonstreetcasting. couk We represent some of the most exciting young actors working in the industry today.

Join in the biggest FREE youth sports festival this summer. Try out judo, street dance, rowing, tennis and more. Clissold Park, Saturday 30 July 1. 00 - 5. 00pm Event features live music from up-and-coming artists: Griminal Mz Bratt Kozzie Plus free Tinie Tempah tickets on the day .

There’s been a bit of a gap since Young Hackney last posted news on the subject of myplace, so here’s an update. The programme was suspended over the winter while the government reviewed national spending.

Did you know that Hackney has one of the highest rates of child poverty in London, third only after Tower Hamlets and Islington. The Child Poverty Act 2010 set a target to reduce child poverty by 2020.

Arcola Youth Music Arcola Theatre is looking for 15 young singers from Hackney to take part in a new music theatre project. You'll get the opportunity to work with artists from The Royal Opera House to create a music theatre performance as part of Arcola Theatre’s Grimeborn Festival.

Photos - Olivia Harris Hackney JAM was all it set out to be. close to 250 people turned out for an awesome night with twelve bands from across the borough performing to the highest level. Everything from jazz to steelpan, calypso to indie.

So where did you stand on the teacher’s strike. It was a pretty even split between those who thought you should have the right to withdraw your labour (if that’s the only option) and those of you who were obviously straight down the park, working on your tan.

Choice FM is running their third Music Potential event. it takes place at Wembley Arena on Thursday 21 July , and is aimed at young people aged between 16-25, especially those who are out of work and not in training or at college.

Music4Good provides accredited, managed and paid apprenticeship at established record labels in London. Successful candidates will secure a job working in marketing, A&R, promotion, digital departments.

CSV Young Hackney Volunteers Summer of Service programme is now registering. Here's a full list of the Volunteering Projects you can take part in Soul Kitchen This project will take place over five weeks with the volunteers cooking dishes and serving to clients within a Soho hostel in Central London.

Hackney Council has teamed up with The Learning Trust and GLL to produce your essential guide to the summer. You'll find hundreds of activities in the Summer Activities guide - most of them FREE- as well as loads of festivals, events and opportunities to volunteer.

This Saturday July 9th 2011 2pm onwards Get down to Dalston’s hottest square with a day of FREE music, dance workshops and performances for all ages and abilities. Compered by Boogaloo Stu, here's the full programme: 2.

SB Film Casting is searching for young people to star in a feature film, ‘My Brother the Devil’, which will start shooting in late summer. They are looking for London-based young people for a number of roles: Boys: 14 – 22 / Black and Middle Eastern Boys: 14 – 16 / White Girls: 14 – 22 / any race (note, they’ve said they will be quite strict on ages) They will be holding an open casting session on: Saturday 9 JULY 10.

Enterprise Skyway is a new service for unemployed young people age 16 - 24. They can offer help with: CVs interview techniques IT skills work placements and paid employment. For more information call Deepshikha on 020 7324 7243 or 020 7729 6970,.

72% of people who took part in the Young Hackney survey wanted to see more information about club nights, gigs and going out. Right - we’re working on it. We’ve got a few changes planned for the site, which you'll see this summer.

Celebrating the best of East London Create Festival is a month-long festival of arts in the five Olympic boroughs. Over 150 events are taking place over the next four weeks on canals, under motorways, in musical halls, galleries, parks and open spaces.

Hackney Council is offering moped and scooter learners free theory courses leading to a 50% discount on CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). You need to either live, work or go to college in Hackney to attend.

A new weekly netball session for women age 16+, every Thursday from 6. 00pm to 7. 00pm Venue: Kings Hall Leisure Centre, 39 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, E5 0NU Cost: £3 per session (1st session is free).

Franklyn Addo, 17 years old and from Hackney, has been the centre of an unwelcome media storm. As a "rap academic" from "one of London's toughest estates" he was interviewed in a number national papers after apparently turning down an offer from Cambridge University "because it had no music scene.

Connexions is running a GCSE and A Level results service this summer if you're grades aren't quite as good (or if they're better) than expected if you need help with UCAS /clearing or getting into college or training Advice will be available the following days 10.

18 - 26 June is National Bike Week, and to celebrate, Cycling Club Hackney has announced a brand new bike club at Mabley Green. There will be free maintenance sessions as well as space for you to try out some tricks.

Could you or someone you know be one of the 8,000 inspirational people to carry the Olympic Torch to the Olympic Stadium next summer. London 2012 is calling for nominations now for ordinary people who have done extraordinary things to become part of the 70-day Olympic Torch Relay around the UK which begins at Lands End on 19 May 2012 and finishes at the opening ceremony on 27 July.

Do you want to create unique clothing you and your friends will want to wear. Interested in seeing your own designs on hoodies and t-shirts. We are looking for creative and imaginative young people who would like the opportunity to learn how to create designs, and turn them into prints for t-shirts and hoodies.

Mousetrap Theatre Projects is running a performing arts summer school for young people aged 13 to 16. You will work with; A professional Director, dancer and singing coach and perform on a West End stage as part of a showcase on Friday 12 August (tickets are free to family and friends, performance at 7.

From the BBC website. click on the link for the rest of the story and vox-pop from Hackney Young People "All you can hear is 'dush, dush, dush, dush'. It's irritating. So many times I end up with a headache," "As teenagers, they don't seem to have the capability to think about others.

Stoke Newington Youth Forum presents, in conjunction with Rising Tide: Hackney JAM, an exclusive showcase of bands from around the borough. From pop, rock and RnB to classical, folk and funk, bands from Hackney schools, colleges and youth clubs will be performing something for everyone.

Purple Bus 1 will be on the Shellgrove Estate on Tuesdays and at Lee Conservancy Rd from Thursday 16 June.

Forest Road Young People's Centre has temporarily closed for refurbishment - (more news on that front very soon). The centre is due to reopen in Spring next year, but there are still activities going on in the Holly Street area.

Dance Challenge™ is a unique, national competition for young dancers age 5 to 25. There are three different age categories: 5 – 12, 12 – 16 and 5– 25, but there are no restrictions on style.

Over the first year of CSV’s Young Hackney Volunteers project, 274 volunteers signed up. Young Hackney volunteers have worked on numerous projects, such as supporting schools or running intergenerational befriending initiatives and youth buddying programmes.

Do newspapers stop to think about the consequences of their campaigns and stories. When we ran a survey on this site a few months back, a majority of young people said they felt the press hyped up inner-city violence to sell more copies - and it's true that Hackney is sometimes portrayed in a negative light by journalists, some of whom have never been here.

L to R: Fiona, Alby, Cassie. Professor Green, Shaneice, Musa 2012 Ambassadors went along to the Hackney Weekend launch + sent these updates to young hackney. Cassie "Monday the 23rd of May is a day I will never forget.

Sadlers Wells is offering cut price tickets to its West End show 'Merchants of Bollywood'. Tickets will cost you £5 (normally £27. 00) for the performance on the 2 June: Peacock Theatre, Portugal St,WC2A 2HT.

If you’re aged between 18 and 24, not a university graduate, based in London and free for 6 weeks from June 2011, you can apply for a place on a FREE course to become an official Google Digital Expert and give your career a massive boost.

Leona Lewis and Plan B are the first confirmed acts for BBC1’s Hackney Weekend 2012, announced on Monday. The event is going to be totally free and over 100,000 people are expected to attend over the weekend of the 23 and 24 June, making it the biggest multi-artist line up ever for Radio 1.

Did you read Rhianna's blog a while back about why the YOF should be saved. Well here's some news. the Youth Opportunity Fund IS BACK. That's right, the fund that allows young people to apply for up to £5,000 to plan, promote and put on events and activities has returned and is open for business.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, is coming to Hackney next Thursday (26 May) and he wants to meet with young people to find out how he can help make London a safer place. He's running an event called the Community Conversation at City Academy in Homerton; 5.

Latest poll results suggest you’re all romantics at heart. Almost 60% of you said the Royal Wedding was something worth celebrating. Ahhh Hardly surprising when about 26 million people were said to be watching the proceedings on TV.

BBC Radio London will be broadcasting live from Ridley Road on Thursday and Friday this week. Drive-time DJ Eddie Nestor will be meeting Hackney’s young people, including the 2012 Ambassadors, to find out what they think of the Games.

Stoke Newington Youth Forum is inviting young people from all over Hackney to either perform or be a part of the audience in this borough-wide showcase of school and youth club-based bands . The project aims to celebrate the diversity of music enjoyed by Hackney young people, by bringing people of different cultures and styles of music together in a unified event.

Three groups from Hackney were centre stage at a premiere event at the Rio last night, showing films they had made to an audience of leading film-makers, health experts and students. The films, produced by groups from Stoke Newington, Skinners and City were all entries to the 2011 Cut Films competition, a national anti-smoking campaign which aims to make young people aware of the dangers of smoking.

Probably one for mad sports fans only, Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe aka 'The Thorpedo' talks about swimming, London and life in general (but that IS Kingsmead in the background) http://www. itv

16-25. Out of work. Love football. Be part of a Street League documentary. Street League are currently recruiting 60 people for their up-and-coming Academy programmes which start on 6 June across London.

Stoke Newington Youth Forum is inviting young people from all over Hackney to either perform or be a part of the audience in this borough-wide showcase of school and youth club-based bands . The project aims to celebrate the diversity of music enjoyed by Hackney young people, by bringing people of different cultures and styles of music together in a unified event.

Stratford East presents a new musical about being "young, British and confused". Lead character Eddie Woo is spinning plates: between helping out at his dad's takeaway, keeping both of his girlfriends happy, and failing his exams, he's hardly got time to pursue his ambition to be the new (Chinese) Tom Jones.

OurSpace is a youth-led social initiative that aims to provide creative resources and opportunities for young people by young people. OurSpace has launched a series of creative workshops throughout May and June run by young people for young people, supported by creative industry professionals.

A FREE four week programme looking at the associated risks of attending a summer festival. Open to all young people in Hackney between 13 – 19 years This programme is being delivered by Hackney Young People Substance Misuse Service (BASS).

Wilton Estate will be hosting Orange Rockcorps volunteers this Saturday 7 May from 11am to 3pm. The volunteers will be helping residents to improve the gardens and create murals around the centre of the estate.

Everyone's got a story about being treated unfairly at one time or another: it's no fun when you've done nothing to deserve it. Supported by the Youth Opportunity Fund, the Homerton Youth Forum produced 3 short films looking at how society treats young people.

Alternative vote or 1st past the post. If you're under 18, you may have an opinion, but you won't have the option of deciding which voting system you’ll eventually use to vote. However you CAN join other young Londoners in discussing how you can change politics in the capital.

Free taster courses in Music Production start next Tuesday 10 May from 6 – 9 pm, then every Tuesday after that. Taster sessions are f ree - you'll learn the latest music production techniques using Logic Audio Pro software and also be able to work on your songwriting and lyric-writing skills.

The Dance Academy is a unique project for young people who are not at school, college or on a training course or who are currently unemployed. The Academy runs from 17 May to 21 July and sessions take place five days a week at a venue in Kings Cross.

Trillions of tiny microbes live on you and in you. Some keep you alive, some make you unwell. Find out about the science of microbes at Hackney Museum at this amazing interactive exhibition. Meet nose invaders and gut-dwellers, lung destroyers and life-savers.

Age 16 - 25. Love football. Got nothing to do all day. Street League runs free weekly football sessions at: Mabley Green Hackney Tuesdays 2 - 4pm YMCA Walthamstow Mondays 1 - 3pm Market Road Islington Thursdays 2 - 4pm Street League is a chance for you to improve your game and get the skills you need to kick on in life.

Hard on the heels of Newington Rangers double-winning success comes news of another Access to Sports team: A2S under 13s, who recently won the London FA County Cup. The team beat Greenhouse Bethwin 3-1 in a tight game.

I CAN SING. (ICS) is a Performing Arts School that will give you invaluable experience in musical theatre training and performance. Courses run every Saturday, and are run by professional artists, who'll give you the skills and confidence necessary to perform to a high level.

Newington Rangers Team photo by Kriss Lee Newington Rangers, already crowned Echo League A Division Champions with two games reamining in the season, travelled to the home ground of Avely FC, to contest the final of the Echo Junior U15 Football League.

There are some great apprenticeships available right now to anyone not in training, education or employment: Jamie Oliver's world-famous restaurant Fifteen is taking on eighteen new apprentices who want to learn the ropes, learn how to operate in a professional kitchen and become part of the Fifteen team.

Join Chocolate Films, The London Metropolitan Archive and the Young Roots Street Crew for an afternoon of film screenings and film-making. Saturday 16 April 12. 30pm – 4pm Livery Hall, Guildhall, Gresham Street, London EC2 For 5 months the Street Heritage Youth Crew explored the collections of the LMA and made two documentaries about London’s fashion and political heritage.

Thought about going to see the Olympics. Applied for tickets yet. Nah, way too expensive. If you're over 16 you can apply for tickets right now. Some tickets will be available for as little as £20 (£16 for people with disabilities and a free ticket for a carer).

Tuesday 19 April @ Finsbury Library, Islington: 1. 00pm - 5. 00pm Meet with different organisations and get information and advice on workplace skills and career options. This unique event, designed by young people for young people, will include: basic skills training, CV writing, interview techniques job opportunities, volunteering opportunities open mic and live DJ .

Hackney Diaries: c all for talent Space Arts are producing a short film in Hackney using the energy and resources of the borough’s young people as a starting point. It's a non-budget but professional project, and they are looking for people who are really serious about breaking into TV and film.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has commended four young people from Hackney for their impressive efforts in addressing some of the social issues facing the borough. Aysha Mirza (15), Naomi Lewis (16), Zanele Sibindi (19) and Zenani Sibindi (19) (pictured above, left to right with the Archbishop) are the Hackney Quest champions striving to build bridges between neighbourhoods, gangs, cultures and faiths in Hackney.

Hackney’s Scrutiny Commissions are groups of local councillors who to put the issues that matter under the spotlight. Each year the five Scrutiny Commissions look into issues suggested by residents through an annual survey.

The results of the latest young hackney poll are in and it shows that the major cause of stress in your lives right now is EXAMS. 43% of you said that exams and school were the most stressful thing in your lives, 17% said that relationships were getting you vexed.

The Channel 4 show will soon be launching the third series of Battlefront and is looking for dedicated, inspirational 14 to 21-year-olds who want to devise a campaign about an issue they care passionately about.

London 2015 - and the search for food has splintered the population and brought conflict to the streets. The Paper Chaserz steer clear of trouble, but a beef with local rivals spirals out of control.

Freemantle Media are looking for 16 and 17 year olds or people who will be 16 before the end of June this year to appear in the next series of Junior Apprentice. 11 The closing date for applications is Sunday 3rd April 2011.

Premiership Rugby stars Brad Barritt, Hayden Smith and Harry Allen turned up at Hackney Bulls Rugby Club on Sunday to give the team a quality training session. This was after the Springfield-based club won the QBE Rugby Pro competition.

What is the Challenge. The Challenge is an exciting summer programme which connects young people from different backgrounds across London, builds confidence and inspires them to improve their local communities.

It is time to announce the winner of the Remix Machine competition. A while back we offered the opportunity for one talented producer’s remix to feature as the background music on the www. younghackney.

Hackney Young Women's Group at the International Women's Day Event Berthe Biyak, Young Women's Group Member, writes for Young Hackney Hackney Young Women’s Group (YWG) organised a day of celebration to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day on Thursday 10 March at Hackney Town Hall.

Hackney born and bred and the star of Kidulthood and Adulthood, Adam Deacon, is set to release his first film as a director: ‘Anuvahood’ tomorrow. Adam grew up on the King's Place estate, was a pupil at Stoke Newington school, and was, in his own words, a “joker”.

How to get involved in Hackney: Visit the Council site to find out more or to download an application form Download the training schedule . or see The Calendar to see what sports are available, when & where Choose your sport, set your goals, be outstanding.

If you are a budding athlete or sports person age 9 to 25, you can apply for between £50 and £500 to develop your talent through the Hackney Youth Sports Fund. You can apply for money to cover the cost of entering a specific competition, coaching course, development camp or other similar event, for example: equipment, travel, accommodation, competition fees, specialist coaching fees, other similar expenditure.

Students from Hackney’s BSix Sixth Form College protested inside a skip outside Downing Street this morning (Wednesday). read more from the Hackney Gazette Picture by OLIVIA HARRIS Louis Van Kleef, 19; at BSix college on 24 Nov 2010 .

Jun Zhong and Ireti Lawal, 2012 Ambassadors and both from Hackney recently went on a free tour around the Olympic Park to see how the stadium was shaping up. Young Hackney went along for the ride: The tour was the first activity that Ireti has done as an Olympic Ambassador and she said she was impressed: "Amazing.

Outside clapton girls student exit on the main road (loweer calpton road) a poor lady was run over by a massive truck whilst out to the chemist not alot of info was not shared but sadley we all know that she died =.

Arsenal in the Community have produced this version of an old UB40 number - new lyrics and new vibe, still good though. See it here and spread the message. Here it is in writing "Guns and knives are killing and injuring young people on our streets, ruining lives and destroying our communities.

It’s still free. still confidential. but now it's available all over London. City and Hackney’s free condom scheme, Free-dom, is joining the London-wide scheme called Come Correct.

March 8 is the centenary of International Women’s Day and Hackney Young Women’s Group is marking the occasion with the return of their Big Debate – a women-only public speaking competition being held in Hackney Town Hall on Thursday 10 March from 2pm – 7pm.

Did you know that March 9 is National No Smoking day. If you are a smoker, even if you haven't been smoking very long, you may have thought about giving up. You'll already know that smoking damages your health , but there are good reasons to give up: it's good for your wallet, even if you only smoke 10 a day you'll end up spending up £1,200 a year on cigarettes - that's a lot of cash you could be spending on other stuff smoking makes you look older - that's right, it gives you wrinkles although only one in five of the population is a smoker two thirds of people who smoke say they want to give up - so you're not alone.

Do you want to: Form Your Very Own Business & Become CEO. Receive 1-2-1 Support & Guidance. Join a Forum Where You Can Discuss Issues That Are Real To You. Receive Accredited Opportunities & Becoming More Employable.

read the full story at: http://tinyurl. com/45cydpo .

The Student Room (an online site for young people) has opened a consultation on behalf of the Education Select Committee. This is the group within Parliament that makes recommendations about policies relating to young people, not just around schools or colleges, but also things like play and out-of-school activities.

Do you want to: Influence how an organisation engages with young people. Develop skills and experience. Become a young leader. Meet other inspirational young people from across the country. Get paid to do all of the above.

The Young Hackney website has now over 1300 members. Pretty good, huh. Well, we want to make the site even better for you and your friends. So why not complete our short survey and tell us what you think about some of the ideas we’ve had.

Kayla and Benjamin from Contrast snag an interview with an Olympic legend. read it here. And hear what he had to say about the 2012 Olympic volunteers. Want the chance to meet the celebs and write up some killer copy.

Benjamin Formela-Osborne , young hackney journalist, interviews the Quadruple Gold Olympic medal winner. for his full story visit Contrast Magazine And check out the Contrast video interview here: .

Dv8 Training presents an introduction to the World of Fashion & Styling. Dv8 Training is opening their doors again for recruitment in March 2011 for 16-18 year olds who are interested in pursuing their dream jobs in Fashion.

"The session we had on Thursday 7th February was fun. It was a Personal Best session, which meant we got to participate in various sports and then try to beat our time. the best thing was that none of us were competing against each other.

Feeling a bit lazy today, so you'll have to visit our Facebook page to see the Valentine's poll results. http://www. facebook. com/#/pages/Young-Hackney/109236959107191 or go to Facebook and search for 'young hackney website'.

The African Arts Project invites you to a celebration of African art and culture. Music, dancing, singing, drumming & drama, comedy and poetry. Saturday 26 February Time: from 3pm to 7pm, Admission: £3.

By now you have probably had a go on our brilliant remix machine . If you haven't . here's a great reason for you to get started. As part of Discover Young Hackney 2011 - the young hackney site is running an exclusive competition for all you music makers.

Six young film-makers from Fairbridge are the latest to win the London 2012 Film Nation: Shorts Film of the Month award with their film ‘Horsepower’. The film features a world-record attempt on running 100 metres: dressed as a pantomime horse.

If you are 8-21 years old, play a classical orchestral instrument (sorry no piano, guitar, saxophone etc) to minimum grade 1 (junior orchestra) and grade 3 (chamber orchestra) level and would like to join the Hackney Youth Orchestra, they are holding entry trials on Saturdays.

Watch the Skyway Street Art team in action. Other cool stuff on their new website: www. skyway. ukcom

Posted by Gerald Sam "Badminton is a very fun sport and Hackney is one of the best places to play it, since there are so many leisure centres in the area it shouldn't be hard to find a place to play.

Homerton Youth Forum and Different Drum Productions is looking for boys aged 13 - 17 for a series of short films to be filmed in half-term Feb 2011 No acting experience needed. Just come along to the open auditions: FRIDAY February 18th 2011, Hackney Town Hall, E8 4.

Survey results just in and it shows Hackney youth to be resilient in the face of temptation. 35% of you keep your resolutions the whole year 25% don't make them. so how can they be broken. 20% stick it out for less than a month And the rest of you are.

What’s LGBT month. Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans History Month takes place every year in February, it’s an annual celebration the lives and achievements of the LGBT community. Why celebrate or recognise LGBT History Month.

Badminton is a very fun sport and Hackney is one of the best places to play it, since there are so many leisure centres in the area it shouldn't be hard to find a place to play. So get your rackets and get smashing.

The tenth Boroughs United Show, run by young people from The Crib, saw headliners Twist & Pulse in full flow in a night replete with talent from across London. Hoxton dance group Ebonessence Juniors won the Under 13s overall category, J-Sol came out top the Over 13s Singing competition – runners up were Misunderstood and Hackney’s own E&J.

Arsenal star Theo Walcott is calling on young people in Hackney to help raise money for Centrepoint. 'Be a Gunner, Be a Runner’ involves a sponsored 10-lap around the Emirates stadium, and will take place on Saturday March 19.

It's been away for a while, but it's good news at last: the Blue Hut is set to re-open at the end of this month. Timetable scheduled for the coming weeks is as follows: Mondays Arsenal coaching: 5.

Do you like planning parties . Do you want some events experience . Interested in gaining a Volunteering at an Event ASDAN qualification . Than this opportunity is for you. Come along on Mondays 5:15pm to the Levy Center, 18 – 24 Lower Clapton Road and help plan an intergenerational event for Hackney.

Got something to get off your chest. Want to spread the word. Then tell the world. If you’re registered on the young hackney, you can sign in and start up your own blog. All you have to do is click on ‘post an article’ (see the left hand menu, under 'news and views') and start writing; we'll do the rest ; -) If you’re stuck for something to say, have a read through the other young hackney bloggers, (could give you that spark of inspiration.

Talksafe is a new emotional wellbeing and sexual health service for young Londoners, run by the Terrence Higgins Trust. Check out their website at: www. talksafe. orguk They're recruiting young volunteers to join their team; anyone aged between 10-18 years old.

Want to start the new year keeping fit and exercising more. Register for the first Street Level 5km Challenge on 26 March at Shoreditch Park. It's a free event for everyone. Sign up and you get: - A free running T-shirt - A free training pack - Free access to nutritional workshops and training sessions - Access to a web page where friends and relatives can sponsor you.

The Council is giving young women aged 16-25 year old the chance to take part in free swimming, netball, football, volleyball, dance and gym and fitness sessions at local leisure centres across the borough.

Mercy + Keisha, who are among the new 2012 Ambassadors, sent us a blog describing the first few week in their new roles: 13th Jan 2011 - 2012 Ambassadors - Session 1 Pic: the latest group of 2012 Ambassadors Our first meeting with the 2010 group of Youth Ambassadors and the new Youth Ambassadors was quite good, as the senior Ambassadors explained most of the basics to us and the purpose of our roles as Youth Ambassadors.

Two Hackney groups have won grants after pitching their creative ideas for change to a national charity. The groups, from Clapton Girls and Our Lady's Convent School, competed with 50 schools for the funding in a 'Dragon's Den' style event at Canary Wharf, hosted by Envision, a charity that works for social change.

If you are interested in keeping up to date with what's going on with the Olympics in Hackney, join the 2012 Facebook page, where the 2012 unit will be posting details of upcoming events and recaps of past ones, stories of potential Olympic and Paralympic athletes + loads of pictures and video.

If you missed out on Estate Vision (Live TV programmes beamed direct from Fellows Court and Fawcett Estates), you can still catch The Best of the Broadcasts at a special gala screening at the Rio on Saturday 22 January, 1.

What makes you who you are. find out for yourself at Hackney’s Hidden Heroes. Celebrate the diversity of Hackney and the lives of unsung heroes from our past. Events on the day include: Drama & debates inspired by the stories of young people in the borough Short films raising questions about “who we think we are” Top tips from experts on how to start your own family tree The Hidden Heroes Family Quiz World Food Fair Exhibitions and much more.

Hackney Shed perform ‘You Shall Go to Shoreditch’ and overcome power cut. "On the 13th and 14th December Hackney Shed inclusive theatre company performed two nights of their original musical show to two full houses in BSix college theatre.

The results are in for the latest Young Hackney poll We asked you: With the adverts appearing earlier and earlier each year, do you think Christmas is getting too commercial. A massive 83% agreed that Christmas is getting too commercial, 4% didn’t agree while 13% of you said we don’t care… roll on the presents.

If someone in your community is making a difference, put their name forward for for the Hackney Homes Residents Awards 2010. They could win money to sponsor community initiatives. The Young Resident of the Year Award recognises a young person who has made a positive impact in their neighbourhood and is a role model to others.

Did you miss out on the Fellows and Fawcett TV spectaculars. The 30 young people who took part in the six-part 'Estate Vision' series will take to the red carpet for the screening of their very own film at the Rio Cinema on 22 January.

Kayla Whiting (who works for Contrast magazine) has been in the news. She’s featured in the Hackney Gazette encouraging young people to sign up as Olympic volunteers. One of 8,000 official Olympic volunteers who will welcome visitors to East London during the Games, Kayla says that such an experience can be life-changing: “Volunteering has helped to turn my life around and I would strongly recommend it to other young people.

The I’m In talent competition returns for its fourth year to uncover more fresh up andcoming talent from Hackney. If you’re a singer aged 13 –19 and think you’ve got what it takes, e-mail shawandedwards@hotmail.

Take a look at the official ceremony to turn on the lights at the Olympic stadium, featuring David Cameron, Boris Johnson and sundry Olympic notables (lights take a bit of time to warm up, but still pretty amazing once they get going).

Volunteer Police Cadets from Hackney have been presented with a Philip Lawrence Award, in recognition for their Bikes2Gambia project. Set up in memory of head teacher Philip Lawrence who was murdered outside his school in December 1995, the Awards recognise the amazing difference young people make in our communities.

Did you know that more teenagers get pregnant in December and January than at any other time of the year. Hardly surprising – it’s the party season and everyone’s having a good time.

Boroughs United Annual Event is a talent show that brings together young people from different boroughs helping break down the barriers between neighbourhoods. A celebration of singing, dancing and rapping/MC, the show is performed by young people aged 5 to 21.

Chloe, Rolland, Sare, Emily and Kash, part of the NICOLA Youth group, would like to make a presentation about change, creativity, respect and peace to youth clubs in Hackney. The presentation and discussion would last approximately one hour followed by a half hour workshop.

150 people turned out for a presentation and entertainment evening celebrating the CSV volunteers, inspirational young people who have given up their time for free over the the past few months to help improve their communities.

This autumn, a group of young women from HYWG went to Northern Ireland as part of their Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Here's a diary of their expedition. "Both our young women’s workers Ciara and Kellie took on the roles of picking us up from our homes.

The results are in for the latest Young Hackney poll. We asked you: Will the rise in tuition fees put you off going to college/uni. A whopping 81% of you said yes compared to 19% who said no. Considering the recent protests across the country, many of which have turned ugly, this result hardly comes as much of a surprise.

As a young person I've found that a better way of dealing with a problem is not complaining about it, but to go out there and face it. From reading the newspapers and looking at different aspects of the media, I learnt Hackney had a negative image created by people who do not know the community well.

Leslie Anne Orlans, 17, of Haggerston, tells young hackney about her involvement in the Hackney myplace project, and how the loss of this funding could affect young people in her area. ‘Hoxton Hall, a renowned building in my local community, which holds workshops for young people in the area, is at risk of losing its funding for a development, risking many young people being denied access to this community hub in Hackney.

Rhianna Stuart, 15, from Stoke Newington, tells young hackney how YOF funding has helped improve lives of young people in Hackney: 'The Youth Opportunity Fund is a funding scheme specifically designed for young people to create their own projects and bid for funding.

DFG Announces Young Documentary Voices: Free Documentary Training The Documentary Filmmakers Group (DFG) has started recruiting for an exciting free film-training project for 16-21 year olds. They are looking for young people with a passion for film and a strong sense of their religion to participate in documentary workshops and make films about the diversity of faith in London.

Rising Tide student and tutor ‘Pantha’ aka Aaron Cowan has signed a worldwide deal with publishing giants BMG Rights - putting him alongside music icons such as Dr Dre, Kylie Minogue and Will.

Do you know how HIV is transmitted. Do you know how many people in the UK are living with HIV. Take young hackney’s quick quiz, and make sure you know what you need to know… 1. When was the first World AIDS Day.

We are currently booking live music for December at St. Pancras International and are inviting submissions from artists/groups that would like to perform during this time. Christmas in St. Pancras International is an exciting time to perform in a stunning environment to the thousands of visitors per hour travelling through the station.

Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC) from Hackney met with senior police officers from both New Scotland Yard and Stoke Newington Police station on Friday; and one cadet, Maariya Ahmed from Hackney got to spend the day with the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Last week an elated group of young people from Laburnum Boat Club in Hackney returned from a once-in-a-life-time expedition to Nepal. The expedition took a year to plan and the group had to raise all the funds needed to go, which they did by any means possible, including a 47mile sponsored kayak around London and support from the Hackney Youth Opportunities Fund.

Do you want to have your say on how crime and safety are tackled in your neighbourhood. Come along to your local Youth Forum and speak with the decision makers in the borough. Each Neighbourhood Youth Forum will be holding special sessions where you can: find out what is being done to tackle your concerns get involved in community safety projects and boost your CV meet others like you who want to make a difference change your neighbourhood for the better Free food and drink at all these events.

Nine young people from Hackney Quest and ten young people from Trafalgar High School and Stars of Tomorrow charity in Cape Town, South Africa spent nine days working together engaging in inter-cultural activities.

We have counted the results for the latest Young Hackney poll. We asked you: Are there enough out of school activities for young people living in Hackney. Just 20. 3% of you said yes compared to 66.

The London Contemporary Dance School Centre for Advanced Training are looking for young people with the talent, ambition and determination to become professional dance artists. The Place’s Centre for Advanced Training enables students aged 10-18 to undertake intensive, part-time pre-vocational training.

Did you know this week is National Youth Work Week. During Youth Work Week youth groups and projects all over the country will be showing people what they do. It's about youth clubs celebrating activities, showing off their achievements and sharing their successes.

Are you interested in becoming a qualified Sports Coach, Sports Leader, Gym Instructor, referee or qualified first aider. Aged 14-19. If so, The Access to Sports Project is running a number of sports leadership and coaching courses.

Nearly 100 young people turned out at the launch event for the new Young Hackney Young People's Centre to try out the facilities, and take part in activities such as IT and multimedia workshops, healthy eating sessions, free microchipping for dogs, dance demonstrations and the Personal Best challenge.

Black History Month commemorates a period in history in the African Diaspora. People from various denominations gather to learn, embrace and reflect on the past occurrences that aided the position of their present.

Once again the MOBO’s have given its fans another award winning show packed with diverse urban talent. The MOBO’s is an annual award show that portrays music content from black origin for its spectators.

The wait is finally over. All thirty-three miners have been successfully rescued from Chile mines. The miners have been stuck underground for more than two months, causing despair and anxiety amongst their families.

Want £5000 to make your dream a reality. Over the last year, the YOF Panel has been giving out grants of up to £5k for a huge number of projects dreamt up by young people in Hackney. All the panel members are aged between 13 – 19 year old, and it’s their job to read through applications to the Youth Opportunity Fund, and decide which ones are going to receive the money.

In connection with my previous blog on entrepreneurship, I would like to dedicate this blog to a young entrepreneur, Mr Stephan Eyeson . During the summer holidays, I was fortunate enough to spend the day with Mr Eyeson and experience his irregular and hectic schedule as an entrepreneur.

It has come to the attention of many academics that students suffer from many grammatical errors when writing. One reason being that not enough teachers emphasise grammatical errors with school leavers.

Do you: live or go to school in Hackney. have a passion for sport. want to represent the borough of Hackney. want to compete against the best in London. play your sport to a good standard . Every year, over 20,000 young people from the 32 London boroughs and the City of London compete in over 30 different sports competitions that make up the London Youth Games.

In 2012 the Olympics and Paralympics, the biggest sporting event in the world, is coming to London and Hackney. The building work for the Olympics and Paralympics also means extraordinary changes to the landscape of Hackney and East London.

Hackney’s first ever Youth Conference on Saturday 11 September was an outstanding success: more than 100 young people turned up at the Town Hall to enjoy and participate in a programme packed with activities.

Volunteer for the Olympics If you're over 18 and would like to volunteer at the Olympics, you can now apply via the official Games Maker volunteer programme website. Window for applications closes 27 October.

By Stoke Newington Youth Forum Stoke Newington Youth Forum came up with the idea of engaging the community through art a few months ago. We began by designing the outline for the painting through taking photographs and using different computer software, with the help of Point Blank .

Helicopter ed in: Lionel Messi visits Hackney Marshes. See the footage at: www. newsbbccouk/sport1/hi/football/9004249. stm

Positive development in all societies has always been welcomed on the provision that the product or service is required by a large quantity of people. Business is beautiful, it has versatile qualities.

WORLDbytes provides free ‘on-the-job’ film training for 16-25 year olds interested in creating alternative news programmes and reports. The next intensive course with spaces available is an unusual one as it’s specifically designed for volunteers wishing to join WORLDbytes crews filming the Battle of Ideas - a weekend festival of debates at the end of October.

The soaring Ghanaian international football player, Asamoah Gyan became the latest member of Sunderland’s football team on the 31 st of August 2010. Gyan, signed for £13million is expected to do spectacular things for his new team and fans.

Hackney’s magazine for young people, is relaunching online. Sign up as a Contrast journalist and you will: build a professional portfolio of work, great for your CV. interview celebrities or develop in-depth stories on hard-hitting issues get free passes to big events and previews.

Newington Rangers Football Club U14s, winners of the Keele International Players Cup. The Keele International Cup offers football teams from across the world the opportunity to play competitive football.

Report by Cissy Baille ‘Life’s a Bitch’ – a clever and moving short film about dangerous dogs and the consequences of maltreatment – premiered to a full house at Rich Mix Cinema in Bethnal Green on 19 August.

A story by Young Hackney's online editor. Cara stood in my room three months prior to her death. It’s vivid in my mind – what she wore and the words she spoke. I knew she had a tendency of complimenting girls and expressing how sexy she felt they were; and how much she would want to kiss them.

Nine young people from Hackney Quest are organising a cultural/educational trip to Cape Town in October 2010. Once there, they will work closely with young South Africans to discover the issues they face as well as share experiences of living in Hackney.

Hi My name is Lavinia and I am an online editor for Young Hackney. In my blog I will be will be filling you in with whats going on in the world of entertainment and education Many for decades have appreciated theatre as a form of entertainment.

Hi My name is Chiedza Sakupwanya and I am the new online editor for Young Hackney. In this blog I will be will be telling a story called 'Secret Defects'. check back each week to read the next chapter.

Nathifa Alexander One of the many young people who have given up some of their time to contribute to the Young Hackney Volunteers Project (YHVP), Nathifa Alexander (pictured) has spent the summer recruiting other young people to participate in the project, updating the database with essential information, assisting in a dance workshop for younger children and liaising with volunteers about their weekly activities.

Last week marked 2 years to go until the start of The Olympic games in 2012. Hackney was represented by the presence of two groups of Young people, the first group made up of seven 2012 Youth Ambassadors: Issy, Grace, Gbenro, Nadir, Alby, Shanience and Fatou.

Featuring the best of young Hackney talent in fashion, music, dance and poetry, the Peace Week talent showcase is organised annually by the Robert Levy Foundation. The Foundation was set up by the family of Robert Antonio Levy, aged 16, who was murdered on 16th September 2004, a few yards from his home in Hackney while trying to protect a younger boy who was being threatened by a schoolboy with a knife.

The Youth Relief Talent Contest will be raising money to help kids in Haiti, following the earthquake that devastated the island earlier this year. The event will be held this Saturday (31 July), at Ocean Venue, 270 Mare St.

JLS shot to fame after becoming runner ups to Alexandra Burke on the fifth series of “The X Factor” in 2008. On the show “Louis Walsh” was their mentor, although they did not win they came 2 nd place.

The new Young Hackney Stoke Newington Youth Centre will be open for business as of next week. If you'd like to see pictures of the new centre, then click here . The new youth centre will be runnig the Summer Plus programme throughout the summer, if you'd like to find out more, visit the Summer Plus pages .

We've been searching for the next generation of talent to take to the stage at Hackney Carnival 2010. Our panel of judges has been assessing the performances of those who attended the I'm In: Live auditions and they've selected the four performers who will be taking part in the DYH: Carnival show.

The results from the latest poll are in and it makes for some interesting reading. The question was ‘Do you plan to stay in Hackney after you leave home. ’ Most of you seem to love the Hackney life with 50% preferring to stay in the borough.

Volunteering is a way to gain skills. get experience for your CV and (of course) give something back. The Young Hackney volunteering programme offers young people opportunities in sports, media and journalism.

The Right Track is a new project to help young people based in Hackney seize new opportunities and fulfil their dreams by providing them with more choice. Defined by one word, “movement”, its aim is to give a voice to Hackney’s young people and to help them get their views noticed through a combination of activities.

Strip It Down Production seminar: Creating a No. 1 track a day-long seminar to help young budding producers understand what it takes to be a professional producer in today’s music industry. helping to inspire the next generation of producers by sharing your experience of starting out in the business & what inspired you to do what you are doing giving up and coming producers advice about starting out.

Cheryl Cole is a singer, songwriter, actress, model, fashion icon the list goes on. Cheryl shot to fame after becoming part of “Girls Aloud” through “Popstars: The rivals” in 2002.

Volunteering, It’s been better than I expected. Fola Odebunmi is currently working as a full-time Volunteer for CSV’s Young Hackney Volunteers Project. As a media manager on Young Hackney Volunteers Project, he is responsible for the selection of media team members, managing the media team, creation of materials, press and publicity for the project, web design and photography.

Eccentricity presents a new showcase on Saturday July 10. Exhibition runs until July 17th. Opening night runs from 6pm - 1am. The Eccentricity showcase continues with an after party at club 2AD. After party madness, fashion show, Eccentric off-the-wall DJs and bands and competitions.

Justin Bieber Justin Bieber appears to be the new cool kid on the block. The Canadian born star shot to fame after Scooter Braun (Bieber’s manager) saw his performances on Youtube. The 16 year old RnB/Pop singer was flown to Atlanta by Braun to meet singer/songwriter Usher where he did an audition and was signed to Island Records in October 2008.

It is time to announce the winner of the Remix Machine competition. A while back we offered the opportunity for one talented producer’s remix to feature as the background music on the www. younghackney.

Spyrol 18 years old is an upcoming artist from Hackney East London and he is determined to become a worldwide selling artist. Although currently working on RnB, Hip Hop and Grime, with the love of all genres of music he will not be limited to only a few genres he feels his music will be aimed at every age group.

Following Mariah Carey’s ongoing musical success we can now announce that her 12th studio album “Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel”, has been released on 23 rd November 2009 in the UK.

FREE event for young women aged 13 -19. Relax from the stress of exams, school and work - get pampered, get fit and have fun. 4pm – 7pm Workshops, performances and prizes to be won, including ipods and shopping vouchers.

Hi, I would like to introduce myself Charlene Smith 21 years old, born and grown up in Hackney, as the new Online Editor for Young Hackney. Not only do I work as an Accounts Assistant for a Marketing Company, I will also be writing blogs on anything music related for www.

Are you passionate about cooking. Would you like to open your own restaurant one day. Fifteen, Jamie Oliver's restaurant in Hoxton, is now recruiting for 18 young people to their 2010 Apprenticeship Programme.

Young Hackney Volunteers Project, run by CSV – the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity – is recruiting 900 young people aged 13-19, so you can help to make Hackney a better place.

Young Hackney Volunteers Project, run by CSV – the UK’s leading volunteering and training charity – is recruiting 900 young people aged 13-19, so you can help to make Hackney a better place.

Young people who live on Hackney Homes estate now have a dedicated page on the Hackney Homes website, listing activities on and nearby estates, together with news and opportunities to feedback. You can visit the page at: http://www.

Have you checked out our brilliant remix machine yet. It’s so easy to use that even if you are a complete beginner you’ll be making banging tunes in no time. Build your track using our extensive library of loops and samples from various styles of music including Electro, Funky House, Drum & Bass, Hip Hop/R&B, and Rock.

Hackney Hounds Want to get involved in an exciting new video project. What's Up Information is recruiting for a crew to make a short film to tell the story of dangerous dogs in Hackney. Could you operate the camera.

-The worst thing in this world is to have eyes and no vision- We have so much potential as human beings, we have the ability to become doctors, musicians, even presidents and queens of countries. Our minds are our greatest resource and we have the ability to create powerful dreams.

Are you interested in being an advocate for young people in Hackney, enabling them to access opportunities and achieve their goals. Are you based in Hackney and aged between 18 and 25. Are you interested in developing your leadership skills and sharing your knowledge to support young people.

This coming Wednesday 14 sees the relaunch of the Stamford Hill Youth Club on the Guinness Estate, Stamford Hill, N16 5QT. Why not come to the grand opening event, which will take place in and around the club house on the estate.

Passionate about a better society. VOTE in the 2010 general election Young people are often portrayed as apathetic and disinterested in politics, but we know young people care passionately about the issues that affect their lives.

Shine Week Date: 12 -16 July Price: Free Shine is a national campaign celebrating the talent young people have to offer. The campaign leads up to a week-long festival of events in July. Shine is asking young people to upload photos, videos, documents etc to their online showcase.

Hackney Democracry Ambassadors present a free screening of the film Shooting Dogs starring John Hurt, Hugh Dancy & Claire-Hope Ashitey. A debate about the films emotive issues will follow the screening.

The Youth Opportunity Fund is recruiting talented and motivated people to join the YOF panel. This is a great opportunity for anyone aged 13 to 19 who wants to improve the range of things for young people to do.

The Youth Service Survey 2009 asked young people what they thought of Council-run youth clubs in Hackney. Most think that youth clubs offer a good service and think staff do a good job. For example, when asked to rate the attitude, friendliness and professionalism of Youth Service staff, nine in ten young people responded by saying they felt provision was either ‘good' or 'very good’.

130 young women attended the International Women’s Day free event organised by Hackney’s Young Women’s Group. The theme for the event was Women’s Empowerment, and it was jam-packed with activities for young women aged 13 - 19 years to develop skills in performance and the arts.

With a little over two years until the Olympic flame is lit in the East of London you may well be wondering what benefits the Games are bringing to you, and to Hackney. If you’re interested in finding out what the Games means for jobs, transport, culture and more in Hackney, come along to the Hackney 2012 Community Meeting on Thursday 18 March at the Hackney Wick Community Centre, 80 Eastway, E9 5JH.

The We Show Love Valentine’s performance night for 14 - 19 year olds was organised by local dance group Luminous. More than 200 young people from across the borough turned out. The evening was a testament to the efforts of the organisers, raising nearly £500 for charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

Hackney Council's Youth Sports Fund could help you with the cost of equipment and training. To apply for funding, you must be aged between 9 and 25, either live in the borough or attend school/college here, and participate in a sport recognised by Sport England (Aquathlon, ballroom dancing and mountaineering included.

Thursday 11 th March 2010 Ocean Music Venue, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE A free event for young women aged 13 -19, celebrating International Women’s Day 2010. 1pm – 3pm: 1 st Annual Public Speaking Championship for Young Women 4pm – 8pm: Talent Show Finale - All-female talent show.

The Stoke Newington Youth Forum presents some of the freshest acts in Hackney. Guests include: Zak Sharif Ali, TJ, Jermain Jackman, Wacky Rymel, Ben Sarpong, Courtney Philip and Geisha. Wednesday 31 March at Gascoyne 2, Wick Road, E9 Doors open: 6pm.

Young women in Hackney aged 13 -19 are invited to celebrate International Women’s Day at the ‘We can do it. ’ event on Thursday 11 March, 1-8pm, at Ocean Music Venue in Mare Street.

If you haven't already visited the Training and Apprenticeships pages on this site then it may be worth a browse if you're seeking to gain skills and improve your employability. With the Olympic Park construction in full swing, there's a host of opportunities to get a foothold in trades such as carpentry, bricklaying and plumbing.

ITV Fixers is a major media campaign (funded by V Inspired) supporting young people (aged 16 - 25) to take action on any issue they feel strongly about – raising awareness and changing things for the better.

London Youth Rowing and Mossbourne Academy are launching a groundbreaking new Rowing Academy, offering places in the sixth form to students with the physiological and academic qualifications to succeed.

Hackney young people, aged 15 and over, turned out in force on Friday 11 December to watch a free screening of the Oscar-winning film “Crash”, featuring Ludacris, Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Terrence Howard and Thandi Newton, at the Town Hall.

You may remember a recent news story in which we invited you to join in with the street art workshop organised by the youth charity SkyWay. The idea was to paint a mural on the outside of Stoke Newington resident, Martha Silcott's home.

The Creative Apprenticeship initiative is an alternative route into the creative industries, one based on ability and potential rather than academic record, social background or contacts. It was introduced by Creative & Cultural Skills .

We are giving you and a friend the fantastic opportunity to see Leona Lewis in concert at The Hackney Empire on Monday 2 nd November. To enter all you have to do is answer this simple question: Leona Lewis shot to fame by winning which competition.

Hackney Youth Parliament Anti-Social Behaviour Hackney Youth Parliament and Hackney Scrutiny Board have teamed up to work on two main subjects that involve young people across the whole of Hackney. Anti-Social Behaviour is one of the topics the Scrutiny Board and Hackney Youth Parliament have been working on.

Saturday 24th October 2009 www. thespotlight. orguk The Spotlight is the most talked about monthly chat show for young people aged 13-25 living within the London Borough of Hackney. As part of our Black History Month Special we have added an exclusive extra show for parents and children aged 8-12 years old.

ASHLEY J & TEE J's EXCLUSIVE COMEDY WORKSHOP - TUESDAY 20th OCTOBER 5. 30 - 7PM, CLISSOLD LEISURE CENTRE ACTIVITIES ZONE Stoke Newington Youth Forum are in the initial stages of setting up a YOF funded Young Comedian's club.

The outstanding achievements of Hackney's young people were celebrated at the 10th Hackney Youth Awards at Ocean Music Venue in Hackney last week (Thursday 24 September). More than 300 people attended the biggest and best ever awards ceremony to celebrate the young people of Hackney who have made a special commitment and positive contribution to their community over the last year.

Youth Music Mentors is a national programme from Youth Music to help young musicians. RollingSound are running a mentoring scheme for Hackney young people, based at Frampton Park Youth Club, Frampton Park Road, E9 7PF every Monday in Sept - Nov 09 from 2-6pm.

MC from Hackney 19 yr old East London MC, producer and songwriter, Bamboss has been MCing for the last 4 years. Originating from the era of MC battle, Bamboss has been involved in his fair share of lyrical wars.

Spotlight is a Saturday night chat show, aimed at young people aged 13 to 25 living within and around the London borough of Hackney. The show is hosted by Radio1Xtra's Sarah-Jane Crawford, and gives performers a chance to showcase their talent to the general public.

Junior MasterChef Would you like to take part in a new CBBC series of Junior MasterChef, and have the chance to be crowned the first ever Junior MasterChef Champion. If you love cooking, are aged 9-12 years old and want to show off your skills in front of our judges, then get in touch.

If you have made a video, a tune, a picture or you've written a story or article on any subject that you would like to share, you can have your work featured on this website. You'll be able to upload it yourself from mid-summer but in the meantime, send your work in to us and, after it's been checked and is found not to be defamatory or offensive in any way, we will post it here in the 'news and your views' section for you.