Koby engaged the group through a series of creative sessions, including poetry, music, and painting. The workshop themes of new beginnings and overcoming challenges created opportunities for growth for the young participants, allowing them to express through art what they couldn’t always convey in words. Koby hoped to inspire young people experiencing the Southwark Youth Justice Service to persevere and stay resilient.
For most of the young people who took part, this was their first experience of using art based methods as a form of expression.
One member of Southwark Youth Justice Service said: “Koby’s one-to-one conversations with each young person made them feel listened to, important and valued. It also helped him build rapport and establish the beginnings of their relationship.”
Southwark Youth Justice Service is a free government run service for young offenders or individuals that are at risk of offending who are between the ages of 11-17 years old.
These workshops were part of Rye Lane Reconnected, a year-long community-led initiative of collaboration between social artists, residents, and community groups to commission artworks for Peckham’s Rye Lane.
