Forbes, Music, & Football: Springtime at CYP

Spring has sprung at CYP, and with lockdown easing; there is a lot to be optimistic about! As of March 29th, restrictions have eased which means we can run more sessions at CYP for up to 15 people. Young people can now play with the much-loved pool, table tennis and football. But most importantly, we can resume what we do best – FOOTBALL! Kick-starting with CYP FC vs Izzy UTD on March 31st. Of course, we beat Izzy UTD 5-2 in the local derby; an exciting game filled with ups and downs. Long may our winning streak continue!

We have teamed up with Islington Youth Council, Music Islington, and Small Green Shoots to put on our second Lockdown Live #2 event; which will feature original tracks uploaded by young music artists from Islington. The event will be broadcast on Youtube this Friday – all details will be on our socials at the time. Lockdown Live #2 will highlight Islington’s musical diversity and will be hosted by CYP member and young creative entrepreneur, Antonette Bowden; and British hip-hop culture pioneer and founder of Breakin’ Convention, Jonzi D. There will also be chats with young people from CYP, Islington Youth Council, Soapbox and Music in Secondary School Trust (MiSST), who make up our #DoYouMakeMusic advisory board. Whatever you do – make sure you have Friday evening clear so you can watch it!

We would like to say a huge well done to CYP member Ahmed Faid. Anyone who reads this blog may remember his name, as Faid is a CYP member who is only going from strength to strength with his online video platform Dose of Society. Following an investment from Snapchat, the platform which sees young people from around the world upload their views on hot topics is only growing more successful by the day. Alongside co-founder Nii Lartey, Faid was recently featured in the one and only Forbes magazine, in which he talks about his rise to success, and also name drops CYP! You can read all about it on the Forbes website here.

In other news, we have just received a Bags of Help grant from Tesco for £1,000. It’s a scheme which gives community projects like us grants of up to £2,000. You can learn more on the Tesco website here. This funding will go towards our football sessions, which we hope to have many more of this year!