On 12th July, the Ascend youth led music and arts festival which was developed, planned and coordinated by the Bay Youth Forum (young people aged 10-18 years who live in Bay area) took place.
The festival is thought to be the first-ever youth-led arts festival on the Isle of Wight - which took place at the Broadway Centre. This involved 200 people over the weekend, including a Battle of the Bands, with the winners receiving a recording session at Aspire and the opportunity to gig at AAA Records. On the Saturday the group organised Samba Drumming, circus skills with Wyld Woods, teen-made films and a silent disco. The festival was accessible for all and had a large attendance.
The festival was aimed at supporting those in the bay area who feel there is a lack of affordable things to do for young people and want to make a difference.
Joe Robertson said, "It was great to be involved in the first ever event - and its amazing 200 young people were involved over the weekend and I hope that it will become an annual event. Well done guys!"
The Forum has also been involved in several high profile social action projects and is supported on a weekly basis by Community Action Isle of Wight Bay Youth Project team.
