New Gen boosts inclusion – Around Ealing

The New Gen Festival – a day-long festival of music, dance and spoken word by and for the youth of the district – is fast approaching and this year’s show will be more inclusive than ever.

Back for a third year, New Gen will present an Include Me Stage featuring IMPACT Theater Company, Chicken Shed Theatre, Mencap Choir, West London Academy of Arts. There will also be a quiet seating area and more.

The New Gen Festival takes place on Wednesday 24th July from 12.30pm to 9.30pm in Walpole Park. Tickets start from £3 and are still available to buy online.

Supporting young people

Include Me is an Ealing Council initiative that supports children and young people with additional needs. The council works in partnership with the Youth Social Network, Ealing Parent Carer Forum, Ealing Services for Children with Additional Needs (ESCAN) and partner organizations in the voluntary sector to ensure the inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). ) in the planning and delivery of the services that support them.

Performers with additional needs will be front and center on the festival’s Include Me stage and will have the opportunity to entertain festival goers.

The inclusion in this year’s festival came after the council consulted earlier this year with young people with additional needs, asking what they wanted to see in a festival created for them.

Platform for young people

Since its launch in 2022, the New Gen Festival has been a platform for young people to showcase their musical talents and expand their career opportunities. The event is organized by Ealing Council in partnership with a range of organisations, including JE Delve, Elevate Arts, Southall Community Alliance, University of West London and Rebels & Pilgrims, and showcases the council’s continued investment in grassroots arts and culture.

Cabinet member for thriving communities, Councilor Blerina Hashani, said: “We are an inclusive borough and we are proud to increase accessibility for those children and young people in our community who would like to attend and take part in these types of events but would be in normally marginalized or excluded.

“The New Gen Festival is a platform created by and for the youth of the district. It’s great to see all members of our community being given the space and opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents on a huge platform.”

For the New Gen program and artist list, visit the New Gen Festival website.

Other data for your logs:
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• Ealing Comedy Festival – 18-19, 25-26 July
• Ealing Blues Festival – 27-28 July
• Ealing Jazz Festival – 3-4 August