Teenagers’ arts event will raise money for Warwick young homelessness charity

The Raise the Roof event at the Hybrid Arts centre in Spencer Yard on Saturday July 16 will see live music, dance, film and comedy performed by young people from around Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth who have been working with the Warwick district youth team.

Funds from the evening, which also involvs arts workshops, will go to Warwick-based charity Roof, which supports people aged 16 to 19 who are homeless or need housing advice and support.

Gary Timlin, a project worker at the charity, said: “This is a wonderful event to champion local young people’s talents. I am particularly enthused with Warwick area youth forum for their willingness to support the Roof project.

“These young people have picked up the torch and carried it to brighten up our most vulnerable young people’s lives.

“They have shown they really care and they strive for change. We hope this event will raise awareness and show people that if there was only one homeless person in our county, that is one too many. Our young people are leading the way - let’s hope more adults take a leaf out of their book.”

The youth team has recently spent time talking to homeless people who have been supported by Roof to listen to their stories so members can present their findings to organisations that could help improve services for young homeless people.

Clare Mitchell, youth arts development worker for Warwickshire County Council’s youth and community service, was one of the main organisers of the event, which will be supported by the Indestructible Music Club at Hybrid Arts and involve arts organisations from across the area.

She said: “Raise the Roof demonstrates that young people are the real wealth in Warwickshire and have so much to offer - not only can they produce great films, dance and music but they also want to use their talents to make things better for other young people who need a roof over their heads.

“We have to keep investing in our young people and supporting their passion and creativity.”

Raise the Roof will be opened at 5pm by Chris White MP. Music starts at 8pm. Tickets are available from Lillington, Warwick, Kenilworth and Campion youth centres.

To find out more about the work the area’s youth team are doing with Roof, call Ms Mitchell on 742486.

Roof has been running for just over a year and has supported 50 young people in that time.