A YOUTH charity is launching a new project to get young people to tell their stories in a bid to engage with the community.

The Youth Life Project, which was launched in the wake of the riots in London last year, has teamed up with youth website Fixers UK for a project called My Story.

It follows the success of a campaign the Swindon-based charity ran called Youth Stories as a way to provide a channel through which young people can communicate their thoughts, feelings and experiences.

The charity’s founder, Danielle Brown, said the scheme was designed to show what the world is like through the eyes of young people and the ultimate goal was to produce a book of short stories.

She said: “Taking the campaign further with the My Story project, our goal is to put together a book of the stories told, not only young people, but by people of all ages, as we believe childhood experiences can still have an effect on your adult life.

“With its many unique and wide ranging stories it is hoped the book will invoke a range of emotions for the reader.

“But, most of all, we hope this book can make a difference in at least one person’s life.

“It could encourage others to speak out, tell their story, it could bring a sense of empathy to a reader who hasn't been through such experiences in their lives, and it could help bridge the gap between the youth and the old.

“We want this book to have a positive effect in many ways and on many lives and people have the chance to be a part of that.

“Your story can be told in way of a letter, a short story, an artist’s impression, a case study, newspaper article, a comic strip, or a poem -however you best express your feelings, but it must be true.”

Meanwhile, The Youth Life Project is looking for people to run workshops for young people on creatively expressing themselves and are asking musicians, artists, writers and dancers get in touch.

The day of free workshops, including art, street art, writing, music, beauty and more will take place on December 1.

There will also be opportunities for work to be published within a book with help from Fixers. Email nicola@fixers.org.uk.

Email danielletylp@gmail.com with a story or for further information on the project.