London Bus Theatre Company Transforms Lives of Jaywick Youth Through Free Arts Access
Young people from some of the country's most deprived neighborhoods are discovering newfound confidence and ambition, thanks to free access to the arts provided by the London Bus Theatre Company. This innovative initiative offers drama workshops that tackle critical issues like bullying, drugs, alcohol, and antisocial behavior, while also enabling vulnerable youths to create short films that spark conversations on hard-hitting topics.
Expanding Reach to Jaywick with Vital Funding Support
Previously focused on young people across Canvey, the program has expanded over the last year to include children in Jaywick. Youths aged 11 to 17 can now participate in a free monthly drama club and work towards earning Arts Award qualifications from Trinity College London. These qualifications also provide UCAS points to support university applications.
The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex (PFCC) has contributed £6,800 to the London Bus Theatre Company through a crime and disorder reduction grant from the 2026 Community Safety Development Fund. This funding is crucial for sustaining the project's impact in underserved communities.
Overcoming Financial Barriers and Building Futures
Kathy Austen, project manager, emphasized the importance of this support: "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."
She added, "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."
Achievements and Opportunities in the Arts
So far, a group of 30 people aged 12 to 16 have completed their Arts Award Bronze or Silver, with another seven expected to achieve the same this year. Participants choose their area of interest—such as singing, dancing, or drama—and gain access to professional lessons and theatre visits to develop skills and insight.
At the monthly drama club held at the community centre, 30 youths aged 11 to 17 have learned about acting to camera, voice and posture, drama school admissions, scriptwriting, and improvisation. They are currently finalizing the filming of their own 90-minute film, Jaywick The Musical, set to be shared by the end of the year. Set in an amusement arcade, the film features a girl band composed of residents eager to express their love for singing and dancing.
Filling a Gap and Fostering Confidence
Kathy continued, "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."
She highlighted the transformative impact: "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."
Real-World Experience and Professional Connections
The organization collaborates with professional filmmakers to offer young people hands-on experience in the film industry. Some participants have even secured acting roles through the theatre company's network, showcasing the program's practical benefits.
Official Endorsement and Future Hopes
PFCC Roger Hirst MBE praised the initiative: "Living in an area of high deprivation means young people are often given a very 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."
He added, "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."
