MP tries his hand at spray-painting with ARU in the Community

Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner visited Anglia Ruskin University’s new civic initiative that is helping vulnerable young people by providing a range of activities over the summer holidays.

The project, called ARU in the Community: A Trusted Adult Scheme (TAS), is a collaboration between the university and Cambridgeshire County Council, and brings together a team of youth support workers and children’s services practitioners, academics, and students, along with local youngsters.

The scheme is open to young people aged 14-18 who have the opportunity to produce street art, with workshops run by graffiti artist William ‘Kilo’ Pengelly, and use ARU’s music recording studios, facilitated by Tim Webster, lecturer in audio and music technology at ARU.

Participants can also play PS5 games and they have access to the ARU gym. Most sessions are led by ARU students, under guidance from qualified youth workers and children’s services practitioners.

While on campus, Mr Zeichner tried his hand at spray painting and also joined young people playing virtual reality computer games. He said: “Cambridge has seen an increase in anti-social behaviour and programmes like these are key to trying to change that. ARU in the Community has brought together experts throughout the field to try and combat problems amongst the vulnerable young. I am looking forward to seeing the art that this initiative has provided and supporting the organisers.”