Young Identity (affectionately known as ‘YI’) began as a voluntary youth-arts performance project founded by director, Shirley May and Ali Gadema in 2006. Young Identity was hosted by the Manchester-based charity Commonword before becoming its own charity. We deliver a dynamic artist development programme, through our weekly poetry and performance workshops for young people; providing professional mentoring, writing, dramaturgy and movement specialist classes; working in partnership with Contact and HOME. We provide arts training, work placements and employment opportunities in the creative sector for young people. In-house, we offer year-round volunteering, internships and paid opportunities.
