Along the streets of Kensington and Chelsea, you may recently have noticed cherry blossoms being captured in countless photographs. London is becoming increasingly well known for its annual spring blooms, some may even venture a comparison with the famed spectacle in Japan. It’s a picture-perfect scene, yet one that highlights our borough’s stark contrasts, where extreme wealth and deep poverty exist side by side.

 

Indeed, as covered in previous editions, Nova's Youth Voice Group was so concerned for their local environment in North Kensington, that they embarked on a year-long project to tackle the issue head-on.

 

Last month, the crowning achievement of their hard work was screened at the Lexi Cinema. The film, Our Local Environment, documents their inspiring journey of learning, growth and the unfurling power of their young voices. It is a testament to how real social change can be achieved when those whose voices are often overlooked are given the support and opportunities to engage with and shape their world for the better.

 

We are thrilled to share their work with you – and we hope it inspires you as much as it inspires us.