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Where life gets better

The lives of hundreds of young people have changed for the better in the 10 years since the Rights and Participation Project (RAPP) was launched

Plotting their course: Ian Bolton (third from left, who is a development worker with RAPP) and members of Freedom Road look ahead to their Australia visit

Songwriter Jess Hunter

Two years ago Jess Hunter had lost her self confidence after being bullied at school.
However, since then she has regularly gone along to RAPP, which is based at The Warren in Queen's Gardens, and has become a member of the project's Freedom Road creative arts group.
Jess (14), who is this month's front cover star, uses her life experiences to write songs.
And with her friends in Freedom Road she has performed them at the House of Commons, the KC Stadium, and Keble College at the University of Oxford, which led to the group receiving an invitation to perform in Australia.
"I can't wait to go, I've never been abroad before, and it will be the opportunity of a lifetime to go there and perform," says Jess.
"I've regained my self confidence since coming to RAPP and I've been able to develop my interest in music, singing and drama.
"RAPP is a great place for young people who need help as there are always people available to listen and give advice."

More about RAPP

Over the last 10 years the project, which is supported by Hull City Council and The Warren young people's resource centre, has helped young people with a wide range of issues from bullying, truancy and schooling matters to problems at home, finding a place to live, and drugs awareness.
At the heart of RAPP is the commitment to give a voice to young people who are in care or at risk, and be an advocate for them.
"Young people matter and when we listen to them and work with them it can be the start of a positive change in their lives," says Craig Clark, Hull's children's rights officer and the co-ordinator of RAPP.
RAPP receives around 25 referrals from schools and care workers on behalf of young people every month, and young people can also refer themselves.
The project also visits Hull schools to hold listening and advice surgeries for pupils.

On the road

After performing at the opening of the Care Matters conference in Oxford last summer in front of 400 delegates from children and young people's care organisations from across the world, Freedom Road received an invitation from one of them – the Australian Create Foundation – to play in Australia.
Freedom Road are now hoping to perform at the Create Foundation conference in Sydney from February 15 - 17.
During a three-week visit they will also take part in songwriting and drama workshops with young people in Sydney, meet potential Australian foster carers to tell of the benefits fostering can bring, and spend time relaxing and seeing the sights.
"Freedom Road gave a brilliant performance in Oxford and that's why they were invited there to show more of what they do," says Ian Bolton, a development worker with RAPP.
"In return we want to learn from the Australian system of looking after children and young people and put that knowledge and experience to good use in Hull."
Meanwhile, Freedom Road is more than a music group. It has become a creative arts charity in its own right and has staged drama productions such as Grease, the Lion King and Peter Pan.

What we think...
	"I'm a backing singer in Freedom Road and I can't wait to go to Australia – it will be a great trip," says Sophie Bullock (14)		"I've done loads of fun stuff with RAPP and my favourite was a circus skills workshop on juggling and unicycling," says Caine Wild (12)
	"I used to get bullied at school and RAPP is a good place to make new friends who have been through similar experiences," says Kyra Draper (14)		"I've been coming to RAPP for eight years and I enjoy getting involved in drama. I want to sunbathe on the beaches in Australia but I don't want to see any snakes," says Chiquita Hutchinson (16)

info

RAPP is supported by a range of agencies including Hull Safeguarding Children Board, Hull Children's Fund and the Community Anti-Bullying Project. RAPP also runs an anti-bullying helpline called Bog Off Bullies on Wednesdays from 4 - 6pm. The helpline is a pilot project and initially runs until April 10. Call in confidence on 225855. For more information visit www.rapp-hull.co.uk