PYE Global, the Partnership for Youth Empowerment, is an international network that teams up with communities to provide transformative arts programmes for young people. Founded in 2008 by Charlie Murphy and Peggy Taylor, the organisation now has seven partnerships worldwide and has just established its latest youth project in South Africa.

An American-based division of PYE Global, the Power of Hope, unleashes the positive potential of youth through its multicultural learning programmes. A non-religious, non-profit organisation, it offers workshops and courses during the summer holidays, as well as term time.

Co-founder Charlie Murphy explains how it began: ‘As a young person I went to a camp where the adults had a high level of training in providing experiential education to groups. I developed a real passion for facilitation and what it means to create a vibrant learning environment.’

From the Power of Hope’s humble beginnings in 1996, the founders went on to create PYE Global, which now operates across three continents, empowering young people through nurturing their creative potential. The UK counterpart, LIFEbeat, was launched under the PYE Global umbrella last year.

In 2009, LIFEbeat hosted two successful summer camps at Stanford Hall in south Leicestershire, catering for 80 teenagers from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Professional development courses are also run for youth workers, artists, teachers and other adults.

‘We are spreading the principles and practices of building safe, effective and creative learning environments for young people,’ reveals LIFEbeat founder, Lucy Sicks. ‘We’re building a strong, creative and committed staff and are continuing to forge relationships with schools, youth organisations, business and artists’ communities throughout the UK.’

Lucy’s aspirations for LIFEbeat echo those set by Charlie Murphy with Power of Hope 14 years ago. ‘We can become creators of the culture we want and not just consumers of the culture we have,’ Charlie believes. It is a mantra for empowerment that is curiously contagious.

Contact: LIFEbeat, 37 Finstock Road,
London, W10 6LU. Tel: +44 (0)207 5657393
Websites: www​.pyeglobal​.org
www​.lifebeat​.co​.uk
www​.powerofhope​.org

Open Mic night at LIFEbeat camp
Photo: © Josh Rai