The Young Coneys was Coney’s resident group of young people.

It evolved from over a number of years and I lead the programme from it’s setup after The Droves, to it’s final form as the Young Coneys Training Programme (YCTP).

We made projects that have taken place in the streets, online during the pandemic and outside car industry gala dinners, all of these focused on listening to the passions of our young people, what they want to change in the world, and giving them the tools to speak to those who they want to reach. This practice we now call Playful Activism.

In 2021, as the pandemic impacted our method of delivery, we piloted our new offer to make sure our work was more accessible and reached more young people in the borough than ever before. We proactively shifted our model of engagement in Tower Hamlets to an in-school delivery method and offered out our Young Coneys Training Programme that introduced young people to Coneys’ innovative practice.

Through this programme, we share our practice with new generations, building the future voices of Coney, to be heard now. With the young people who finish this programme we develop new pieces of work that can often be seen as pieces of Playful Activism, looking to spark change through play. 

Introducing how creativity can be used to influence our world, the Young Coneys Training Programme featured introductory in-class workshops and an afterschool club to equip young people with a playful toolkit to explore their passions and connect to their creative superpowers. Students then become official Young Coneys and had the opportunity to participate in Graduate projects.

During the programme, students worked with two Coney artists to create a ‘Gift’ to spark change in their school. This Gift encouraged young people to think about how their creativity can connect with someone, or a group of people, to make an impact in creating the change they want to see.

In 2022-23, The Young Coneys Training Programme engaged 270 young people across six schools and 801 people overall via the Gifts.

In 2023-24, the programme engaged 270 young people across six schools and over 1,000 people overall via the Gifts!