A unique art event showcasing the creative talents of young people in the borough was held at the ActOne Cinema in Acton.

The Living Roots event, on Friday 10 November, included unique works of art that explore some of the key issues for young people around mental and physical health.

All the works were created by young people attending the Bollo Brook Youth Centre (Bollo) in South Acton and Northolt Library youth sessions.

One piece, a decorated moped made at Bollo, included a specially created podcast that guests took time to listen to and discuss.

Local young performers, Ky Lewis, Ami Kourouma, Tori, Tayah and Tazz performed live music and spoken word poetry to a rapt audience, that included Mayor of Ealing Councillor Hitesh Tailor, councillors, representatives from Ealing’s Public Health, and local community groups Acton Youth Association and Yardo.

Councillor Polly Knewstub, cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “It was a real privilege to see artworks, music and performance from some of the brilliant young people in Ealing who have taken part in the Living Roots project – well done to everyone involved. Ealing has just launched a bid to be London Borough of Culture 2025 because we want to celebrate and support exactly this kind of creative talent that we have in this borough.”

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for a fairer start, said: “This wonderful event highlights again the invaluable work being done by our youth service team at community venues like Bollo and Northolt Library in supporting young people and helping them realise their potential.”

The event and the art works are part of the Ealing’s Living Roots Project, a collaborative partnership working to improve health in the borough.  The programme is supported by the council, NHS, the Young Foundation, Southall Community Alliance, Voices of Colour, the Institute for Developmental Studies and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.