London Bus Theatre Company Fuels Jaywick Youth Ambitions with Free Arts Opportunities

Young people from the country’s most deprived neighbourhood are growing in confidence and following their ambitions, thanks to free access to the arts.

The London Bus Theatre Company gives young people the opportunity to get involved in the arts, providing drama workshops focusing on issues such as bullying, drugs, alcohol and antisocial behaviour.

It also gives vulnerable young people the chance to get involved in the creation of short films, sparking conversations around hard-hitting topics.

Having focussed previously on young people across Canvey, the work has been expanded over the last year to children in Jaywick.

Now, youths aged 11 to 17 can access not only a free monthly drama club, but also work towards securing Arts Award qualifications from Trinity College London – which also provide UCAS points to go towards university applications.

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex (PFCC) has contributed £6,800 to London Bus Theatre Company in the form of a crime and disorder reduction grant from the 2026 Community Safety Development Fund to support the latest project.

PFCC Roger Hirst MBE said: “Living in an area of high deprivation means young people are often given a limited view of what the world is about and what options are open to them.

“This work by London Bus Theatre Company is helping to open young people’s eyes, to give them a taste of a life they could lead, dreams they could turn into reality. It is demonstrating to them that no matter their background, they are talented, they are worthy and they are capable of everything and more.

“To see that young people from Jaywick are gaining so much in confidence and skills that they are going off and securing employment is wonderful. What a start they are now getting to their young adult life.

“I cannot wait to see where their dreams – and this experience - take them now.”

Kathy Austen, project manager, said: “This funding is vital, and we hope it can continue.

“Over the years, the expectation has been for our work to be self-funded, but we work in such deprived areas, we simply cannot expect families or schools to be able to afford these things. The young people told us the financial aspect was a real issue, and that they lacked direction.

“This on-going funding from the PFCC means we can put a really good quality project out there free to young people, and that is what counts. We are so grateful, as always.”

A group of 30 people aged 12 to 16 have completed their Arts Award Bronze or Silver so far, with another seven expected to achieve the same this year.

Young people choose their area of interest – which could be singing, dancing or drama – and are given access to professional lessons and visits to theatres to gain skills and insight.

At the monthly drama club, held at the community centre, 30 people aged 11 to 17 have been taught about acting to camera, voice and posture, how to get into drama school, writing scripts and how to improvise.

They are now finalising the filming of their own 90-minute film, Jaywick The Musical, which will be ready to share at the end of the year.

Set in an amusement arcade, the film features a girl band made up of residents who were keen to embrace their love of singing and dancing.

Kathy said: “Our work in Jaywick has been very successful.

“There are already lots of sport activities and youth clubs in the area, but there was a lack of drama and arts provision. A lot of young people there are interested in drama and filming, and we can help with that. They told us there were not previously activities they wanted to get involved with, or they could not afford to access them.

“Now, we have seen young people grow in confidence so much, they are going out there and securing jobs for themselves. For those interested in going to drama school, we hope we have shown them the way and that they can find themselves a career in performing arts. This work will have given them skills they can use throughout their lives. We have been able to provide something positive for free, and young people have gone on to work, as a result. That is amazing.”

The organisation works with professional filmmakers to give the young people real-life experience of working in the film industry.

Some have previously gone on to secure acting roles thanks to the theatre company’s contacts.