CAMDEN COLLABS
Camden Collabs is our growing network of local, community-led, arts-focused groups, projects, and charities based at Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC). Last year, we provided over 3,900 hours of free studio space—worth more than £170,000 in support—to help these initiatives thrive. Thanks to funding from We Make Camden, we can now deepen that support and help groups collaborate more closely.
More than 50 groups use ODAC as a base for socially focused arts work—from theatre-makers and singing groups to dance projects, mental health initiatives, and cultural organisers. These groups are a vital part of ODAC’s charitable mission: turning local, creative ideas into reality without the barrier of venue hire.
We’re currently at full capacity for new groups this year—but Camden Collabs is at the heart of free, community arts in Camden, offering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in theatre, singing, dance, workshops, and creative projects.
Get Involved: Free Arts Opportunities in Camden
There’s something for everyone at Camden Collabs. Whether you love singing, dancing, improvisation, creative writing, or other arts and community groups and activities, our network of local groups offers opportunities to take part for free if you need it.
Join a choir, a dance troupe, an improv collective, a creative writing circle, or a community arts project—and connect with other people in Camden through creativity. These groups are welcoming, inclusive, and open to anyone who wants to get involved in free community arts, whatever your experience or background.
Check the listings below to see the wide range of groups and find out how you can start taking part today.
REFUGEE & INTERNATIONAL GROUPS
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Ukrainian children and women in London, led by choreographer Alyona Antypenko. The group offers a welcoming space to move, connect and enjoy dance together, with regular rehearsals and performances in the local community and beyond.
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Healthprom helps Ukrainian refugees start a new life in the UK, after fleeing the war in their homeland. They help to fight social isolation, provide help with employment advice, mental health support, information, meetings, documentation and also free English classes online and offline. ODAC provide Healthprom with space to run:
Free English classes on Fridays
Dance classes for children and adults on Tuesday evenings
If you want to get involved or know any Ukrainian families who might benefit from Healthprom’s free services please get in touch!
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Music for Displaced Dyads East West is a research project (between Middlesex University, UCL, South Wales University and Buckinghamshire New University) focused on improving the well-being of displaced Afghan and Ukrainian caregivers and babies in the context of music therapy. It aims to promote healthy parent-child interactions that will positively support the development of the children but also contribute to the social integration of these families. Music Therapy Charity and the Faculty of Science and Technology at Middlesex University are funding this project.
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Pan Intercultural Arts (Pan) works with young refugees and asylum seekers, survivors of trafficking and young people who are not served well by society and are at risk of harm from crime.
Pan uses the transformative power of creativity to support participants to move beyond trauma and past experiences enabling them to re-imagine themselves and their futures.FIND OUT MORE
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Shum Theatre Community is a co-creative and supportive community that brings together Ukrainians and English-speaking people. Our mission is to help individuals connect, socialise, and develop their cultural identity through the arts.
We offer a dynamic space where amateurs can develop their acting, singing, and dancing skills, while experienced professionals share their knowledge, inspire others, and collaborate creatively.
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“Spivanka” translates to “sing-along” in Ukrainian. We meet to sing Ukrainian songs, talk about culture and explore the meaning of old folk music in the modern context and our lives.
Attendees are welcome to sing or listen, there is no age limit and no musical experience required.«Співанка» - це співочий проект у Лондоні. Ми зустрічаємося для того, щоби вшанувати українську пісню, набутися разом та поговорити про значення народної музики та того, як вона переплітається з нашим сьогоденням.
До Співанки запрошую усіх: хто співає чи любить слухати, вікових обмежень немає, музичний досвід необов'язковий. -
Vsesvit is a Ukraine Solidarity Collective based in London. We strongly believe in the transformative power of culture to initiate conversations, celebrate diversity, and foster connections across communities. Our social gatherings, film screenings, workshops and talks are dedicated to exploring themes such as resistance art, impacts of war, queer culture in Ukraine and the region, colonialism, ecocide, cultural identity, diasporic activism and more.
Ukrainian Folk Singing sessions Being Vocal aim to create a space and time to practice Ukrainian musical tradition in a group and delve deeper into Ukrainian musical culture and singing as practice. Ukrainian folk singing is deeply rooted in community practices. Whether at the field, at a wedding, or at home, its polyphonic nature has always brought people together in the act of singing while listening to each other deeply. It requires no musical education or scores, just the will to practice with others and create the music together. Sessions are led by Dariya Hutsalyuk.
FIND OUT MORE
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We are a brand new drama group of 12 people: 10 members of Waling Waling and 2 theatre practitioners. Waling Waling is a migrant domestic workers' organisation. The group was formed by undocumented domestic workers and still campaigns for basic rights for migrant domestic workers.
Together, we are making a piece of theatre for International Migrants Day on 18 December. We hope to tour the show next year, to campaign to restore the Domestic Workers Visa.
HEALTH, CREATIVITY & WELLNESS
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We are a peer-to-peer support group run by and for people in Camden with chronic pain.
Our monthly meetings at ODAC are informal, relaxed meetings for our network– a chance to give and receive peer support, share information and socialise with people who understand.
If you are affected by chronic pain, live or are treated in Camden, have done a pain management programme and want to connect to a peer support group, then please do get in touch.
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We offer training/practice in Zen meditation (also known as Zazen). Practice sessions take place at the Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC) for one full day at the weekend, typically once a month and usually on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. Additionally, sessions are occasionally held on weekday evenings, including planned introductory sessions.
If you are unable to commit to the entire session, you are welcome to join later or leave earlier. All are welcome, including those who are new to Zazen. There is no fee for attendance; it is provided as a community/arts opportunity by ODAC.
Some of us are affiliated with BWS (Being Without Self). A website, operated by a non-ODAC colleague in conjunction with a Zen master in Japan, offers helpful resources such as YouTube Dharma talks for both experienced practitioners and beginners. For more information, visit https://beingwithoutself.org/ or search for "Being Without Self" and "Jeff Shore Zen" on YouTube.
Beginners and anyone interested in attending are encouraged to contact Jules, Leon, or Maggie before their first visit. You may also arrive 15 minutes prior to the opening of ODAC (which is at 10:00 on Sundays). Contact emails are as follows:
Jules at allenme@btinternet.com,
Leon at 14justlistening@gmail.com,
Maggie at m@maggiehindley.org.
To join our mailing list, please contact Jules.
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Fun activities that bring black women together in the safe space of the Old Diorama studios. Hold dine and mingle sessions at local restaurants for black women where the ODAC foyer is a meeting point.
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Dr Leon Redler qualified in medicine in the USA and practices in the UK as a psychotherapist, mediator and researcher (into well-being and forms of mental distress). He is a student/practitioner of the arts of meditation, Tai Chi and Qi Gong and has been involved with ODAC (in its prior ‘incarnations’) since 1979.
Just Listening was founded by Leon Redler and philosopher Steven Gans at ‘Diorama Arts’ in 1999. It’s concerned with facilitating the nourishing of ethical and creative research, relating and practices, in all spheres of life. It currently offers Zen meditation training, at ODAC, free to all, via Zen and the Arts.
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Neurodivergent creative club is a place for individuals to focuses on fun, art and music, providing a space to explore various forms of expression while fostering community and friendship in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Learning and skill sharing together.
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Rosetta Life’s vision is to ensure that every person living with life altering illness or facing loss has the opportunity to lead a full creative life. We develop innovative co-creation practices improving quality of life; working with communities to co-produce performances that challenge the stigma and perceptions of illness and loss.
We have run a performance programme for people living with brain injury for 9 years. Next year will be the 10th anniversary. We plan to celebrate the 10th anniversary by launching a new performance company, the first devising performance company drawn from healthcare communities. We hope to offer progression routes to recruitment through a performance training programme that will offer indepth movement, performance and singing and storytelling workshops over 12 weeks from January 2025.
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Touch Project improves wellbeing naturally. We playfully co create a safe space to explore platonic touch, boundaries, giving, receiving and caring connections.
Every week on Thursday evening's and the last Sunday afternoon of the month Touch Project runs wellbeing workshops. If you are looking to reduce stress and burnout or enhance your Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins please come join us! Love from Touch Project CIC.
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Yas Queen! Chess Club is a chess club for people (of all genders) who feel underrepresented in traditional chess clubs. We are proudly women-led and LGBTQ+ friendly. We welcome all allies. Our mission is to make chess fun, inclusive, and empowering—whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned player.
At Yas Queen, it's not just about the game; it's about belonging, connection, and challenging the outdated norms of traditional chess spaces. Find out more about our events and sign up through our meetup page Yas Queen! Chess Club | Meetup and follow us on instagram @yasqueen.chessclub .
COMMUNITY PROJECTS & ORGANISATIONS
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The Better Way network has been meeting for eight years and was created to improve services, build community and help to bring about a fairer society. Our membership currently sits at 1500 and we hold around 50 events and conversations every year. We have a set of eight agreed principles and four behaviours as anchors for the network and have been exploring how we must do things differently as we clearly cannot continue as we are.
We know that if we want to improve services, build community, and create a fairer and more inclusive society, some things really need to change. Alone, it can be hard to make change happen. With others, it becomes easier and so much more is possible. We come together to share our knowledge, learn from each other, and influence others.
We welcome anyone who is attracted by the Better Way thinking and would like to help us develop it further.
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Camden Community Centres' Consortium (C4) improves the living conditions and the mental and physical well-being of people in Camden, by galvanising private, public and voluntary sector support to provide services and facilities.
As a consortium we provide:
Local support – 18 organisations located at the heart of the community.
Local people – more than 25,000 people access the support of our member organisations every week.
Local impact – we tackle poverty, inequality, unemployment, ill-health, disadvantage and social isolation. -
Camden Giving are a local participatory grant giver who have used ODAC for space and have also funded dozens of projects that take place at ODAC.
Apply for their 'We Make Camden Kit' if you live in Camden and want to lead a project that benefits your local community.
FIND OUT MORE
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Change Love Grow support people who are struggling with drugs or alcohol.
ODAC supports Change Love Grow with some of their arts-led projects, including 'This is Us', where people from all stages of recovery have been exploring their voices through music, poetry and film exploration.
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Community Champions Regent's Park Estate is a resident-led project connecting residents, exploring issues they face and using that as a catalyst for action to improve the well-being of residents across the estate and the ward.
The Community Champions are based from The Neighbourhood Studio partnering with ODAC on several projects including previous monthly socials, Community Kitchen and Regent's Park Together, attempting to support local residents during the cost of living crisis.
We welcome any resident of any age 8+ to 80+ to join if you want to connect with neighbours, find a group to belong to and/or if you want to improve the lives and experiences of local residents.
FIND OUT MORE
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DeCentral is a group of 10 women, all of whom were involved and part of the women’s liberation movement in the 70s and 80s. They’ve been meeting for twelve years and since 2021 at ODAC. They talk about feminism and politics and their lives now and then, support each other, share information and have a good time for a couple of hours every month.
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Support residents to become work ready, find good work and stay in good work.
Meet with residents one to one or in group settings to support them in to work thats right for them.
Whether you are experiencing insecure work, need some financial support, or are out of work and don’t know where to start – Good Work Camden is here to help.
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Since 1997, Third Age Project has assisted the local community of 60 years of age and older. It has become an essential and popular multicultural community centre in Camden, aiming to challenge the belief that the Third Age burdens society and promotes the idea that older individuals are valuable community members.
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Since 1997, Third Age Project has assisted the local community of 60 years of age and older. It has become an essential and popular multicultural community centre in Camden, aiming to challenge the belief that the Third Age burdens society and promotes the idea that older individuals are valuable community members.
FIND OUT MORE
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A sanctuary for minoritised ethnic women and their families, providing grassroots community services in their times of need.
Photo of CrossWord Lyric.
ACTING, SINGING AND PERFORMING
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AMKA NZURI MELODY WOMEN (UK): Access to Learn to Play a Musical Instrument is a beginner-friendly, peer-led project creating a safe, supportive space for Black women 50+. Together, we explore music-making, build confidence, and nurture wellbeing — starting small, growing in creativity, and sharing the joy of learning.
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Bodies In Space is a new workshop for professional actors based at Old Diorama Arts Centre. Meeting weekly on Monday evenings, the local acting community gathers in a non-commercial space to test new material, sharpen monologues, rehearse scenes or develop original work in front of a responsive audience of peers.
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Camden Acting Workshop is a small group of actors who practice Dramatic Improvisation. Dramatic Improvisation is the art of creating dramas live in front of and in collaboration with audiences. Camden Acting Workshop trains professional and non-professional actors in Dramatic Improvisation. We also go out into the community with performances and workshops.
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For over 28 years, CPT has brought together artists and everyone else to connect, imagine, be heard and be entertained. It makes space for the theatre – and the theatre-makers – of tomorrow, it celebrates community and it strives to create a more equitable and caring world through extraordinary performance made by and for a wide range of people.
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CrossWord Lyric aims to build people's confidence, connect people and encourages unfinished work, to get rid of perfectionism in the arts. We do this through open mic nights, writing workshops and spin off events.
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Day Time Actors is a space for actors to explore. Working with different text each week, we play with character and context, allowing actors to take risks within a scene. We are an acting community instead of a traditional class. Be ready to get stuck in and share your ideas.
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GAP Workshops for Trans Actors! Free and tailored for a group who are new to the industry or returning. Helping actors elevate their craft with top industry professionals, mastering audition and self-tape techniques, and receiving invaluable feedback. Some past participants have gone on to land their first professional credits and representation! Gap workshops will be running across the summer of 2024 at the Old Diorama. For more information, please follow @Gapworkshops.
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Generation Creation are doing 10 workshops on poetry, spoken word and rap as a form of advocacy and a creative outlet to discuss 10 topics and issues within Camden. The topics will range from jobs, communities, policing, culture, social justice and more.
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London-based Ukrainian folk singing collective.
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A supportive and friendly space for improv. We will be running short games to warm up then progress on to exercises and finally, we will be running scenes for the second half of the class which will focus on elements such as grounding, game, relationships and other improv tools.
There will be coaching provided.
We aim to make this class as inclusive and accessible as possible so please let us know if you have any special needs.
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London’s first Trans choir, designed to make use of unique voices and offer a safe and welcoming environment for all of us to be heard. The choir is non-auditioned and open to all; we’ll never ask you to disclose or prove your identity. If you feel this is the choir for you, you are welcome.
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Maanta Theatre is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion through vibrant theatrical productions that reflect the rich tapestry of Somali culture.
Through performances, workshops, and community outreach, we aim to inspire understanding, empathy, and unity.
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PATINA PEOPLE is a growing community of older adults.
Our Patina Programme offers a wide range of accessible, inclusive and interest led activities, courses, social events and celebrations exclusively for those aged 55+.
Most recently, ODAC hosted a joyful series of creative group sessions exploring theatre, storytelling, and self-expression in a friendly and supportive space. Whether you’re new or returning, everyone is welcome!
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Join your local community choir!
We sing together for fun and to bring people together in the local area. Rehearsals are warm and friendly with a mix of classic pop and folk music from around the world.
Regent's Park Singers is free and open to all.
7:30pm - 9pm
Autumn Dates: 16 & 30 October, 13 & 27 November, 11 December.
We also have an online option if getting out of the house is tricky!
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Response Ability Theatre is a boldly survivor-led theatre and participation arts charity that supports and platforms people living with or at risk of post-traumatic stress, to lead on how stories like ours are told and learned from. Our monthly core group sessions are an opportunity to learn some creative skills for self-exploration and self-expression, and to contribute to the direction of our work. Our monthly RAT LAB sessions are a chance to be part of our associate artists' development of their arts-in-activism projects.
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We interpret 'Sankofa' as the concept of embracing wisdom from past experiences to learn from and foster new, positive perspectives; via the vehicle of expressive arts. We use this principle to tell stories that explore alternative solutions to perceived barriers, whilst celebrating both wellbeing and participatory equity.
FIND OUT MORE
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At the Simon Community we have been providing support to people experiencing homelessness through street outreach since 1963. This April we have started a Homeless Ukulele Band at ODAC for anyone in the area who is experiencing or recovering from homelessness.
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Actors! Your body is your instrument, so join us to tune and play.
WAKE UP WARM UP is a unified weekly warm up for actors to connect breath, body, and voice, that leaves you feeling grounded, open, and vocally expressive.
Whether you join our community to encourage self development, or drop in for a refresh before an audition, all are welcome.
This is about individual practice led by one voice, helping you expand, experiment and hopefully enjoy. There is no prep involved, no lines to learn, just show up.
When: 9am every Monday
Where: Old Diorama Arts Centre. NW1 3FE
What You’ll Get: Full body and vocal warm ups to energise and centre.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN YOGA MAT
Booking and Enquires please contact Georgie: wakeupwarmup25@gmail.com
VISUAL ARTS & EXPLORATION
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Ar_Tea Wellness invites you to an evening of creativity, poetry, spoken word, music, art – and homemade cake.
No experience needed – just bring yourself.
Everyone is welcome. Come and socialise, meet other poets, and connect with those exploring poetry and art as a positive form of expression for the first time.
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Bringing members and allies of LGBT+ community togther through a monthly programme of bite size cultural delights.
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Geraldine Crimmins - a local artist, previously featured in the Big Issue - founded the Drummond Street Artists (DSA) in January 2023 at Old Diorama Arts Centre, on Drummond Street. Post-pandemic, Geraldine saw that there was nowhere in London for precariously sheltered people to go at the weekend for a cup of tea, a chat or to do anything creative. This realisation - and a fortuitous conversation with an enthusiastic donor! - led to the creation and development of the DSA, funded by a longtime collector of Geraldine's work.
The DSA is a workshop for artists affected by homelessness. All art materials are provided, as well as support and tuition for artists to make art with the possibility of exhibiting it.
If you are interested in Geri’s studio workshop - and feel that you fulfil the criteria - you can contact her via geraldine@olddiorama.com.
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The Greek Library of London is a charity organisation operating since 2017. It has more than 5000 books for adults and children. It is operating due to the zeal and determination of its volunteers and its aim is to promote the Greek culture. This goal is accomplished through a variety of events organised in various locations in London
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Life-Writes is an international fortnightly session, in person and online, where people of all backgrounds come together to creatively explore life through various writing formats.
Come to Life-Writes to discover, explore and share your creative observations of life as part of a structured but relaxed community of writers.
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London Independent Photography is a member run, NFP community of some 300+ photographers with a wide range of experience and interests. Since its foundation in 1987, LIP provides opportunities to exhibit, informally show and discuss your work with fellow members. We are a community for the visually curious. Anyone is very welcome to join us.
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Novel London is an International literary competition and festival. We partnered with ODAC to run the in-person literary festival in central London where writers, readers and publishing professionals came to learn, network and showcase their novels. If you have written a novel and would like to know more, please visit the website to see how you can be a part of Novel London this year.
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The Textile Club is a monthly gathering for knitters and crocheters to bring their projects and work on them together. It's also a place where people can socialize, make friends, and bond over their shared hobbies and interests. We also exchange yarn and share tips!
Photograph of Maanta Theatre, showcasing Somali Culture on Stage in 2024.
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
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Camden Youth Theatre is a free-to-attend youth theatre for young people aged 13-19 who live or go to school in Camden. Members work with leading professional theatre makers to learn the skills they need to create their own inventive shows from the ground up.
CYT is run by New Diorama Theatre and Camden People's Theatre with rehearsal partner ODAC. Sessions run on Monday and Tuesday evenings during term time and recruitment is ongoing, get in touch if you want to get involved!
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Deafinitely Youth Theatre (DYT) is Deafinitely Theatre’s youth programme, supporting deaf
and hard of hearing young people between the ages of 14 – 21.
DYT is a welcoming, creative space where participants develop confidence, performance
skills and deaf identity. DYT champions deaf talent, celebrates youth perspectives and
nurtures the next generation of deaf theatre makers and performers.
Find out more -
Fitzrovia Youth in Action are Camden's leading social action charity, working with young people across Camden to lead positive change for themselves, their peers and their community. They have a variety of projects including Cumberland Youth Club at HPOD, Football Programme, Peer mentoring, Youth Led Events, Peer Education and media programme and Community Champions and Young Guardians Regent's Park Estate.
If you are a young person aged 8-24, or an adult 24+ living locally and you want to connect with others, make a difference and gain skills, FYA will have a project for you!
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Revive Congo a free annual summer youth programme for young people between the ages of 14-18 to help build their aspirations.