BUDDING artists and musicians were helped towards realising their dreams, thanks to a series of workshops held in North Finchley, last month.

Young people aged 13 to 16, from the Haringey Pupil Support Centre in Coppetts Road, Muswell Hill, took part in the Alter Egos project, which began on Tuesday, September 15.

Funded by London councils, the eight-day project was a collaboration between the support centre and artsdepot in Nether Street, which helped young people create their own original lyrics and accompanying CD artwork.

Everyone who took part on the course obtained the Bronze Arts Award, accredited by the Trinity Guildhall awards body.

Rapper Lil' Jay, 13, one of the children presented with their finished products at the artsdepot level 3 bar last Wednesday afternoon, said: "It's been really good, I wanted to do my track since the first day, and I'm mostly pleased with it."

The project has inspired him to go forward with more music in the future and Lil' Jay added: "I'm going to make loads of albums."

Project leader and visual artist David Blandy, said: "This project is a chance for young people to examine who they are and who they want to become, to redefine themselves."

Support centre learning mentor Kenn Henry explained: "The problem of exclusion arises from patriachal society's influence on young people, limiting their emotional literacy by teaching them to act hard rather than be in touch with their emotions, which in turn causes them to behave badly.

"This project helps them form their own identity and resist this influence."

Another of the project leaders, poet and rapper Arji Manuelpillai, added: “The seed has been planted for them to develop their lyric writing, performance and artwork as a way of reflecting on themselves.”