Merseyside, UK – amid rising youth crime, mental health challenges, and social disconnection, the arts remain one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools for healing, growth, and empowerment – particularly for young people who struggle to find their place in the world.
Drama has helped Power express himself
Actor, director, and speaker Christopher Lee Power, a member of the Great British Speakers Bureau, is calling for urgent attention to the impact of creative engagement in young lives. Drawing on personal experience, he speaks passionately about how drama transformed his own path.
“Traditional schooling, especially sports and other subjects, was a real challenge for me,” he says. “But when I discovered drama, it was a revelation – it utterly changed my life.”
Power, who was diagnosed with hyperactivity and speech difficulties as a child, found focus, expression, and freedom through performance. “Finally, I could concentrate on something that truly interested me. That’s such a rare thing when your mind is constantly jumping. I used to suppress my emotions, but through drama, I found a truthful way to release them – it brought immense freedom.”
Arts teaches so much more than just creativity
His story is a compelling reminder of how the arts offer more than creativity – they teach life skills. “Drama helped me grow in confidence and become more outgoing. It taught me how important listening is for moving forward. We all want to be heard, and when you genuinely learn to listen, people want to be with you. You absorb so much more.”
Through drama, Power also developed a love for learning. “I learned to research, to study, to gain knowledge – skills I struggled with in traditional classrooms.”
However, such opportunities were not always accessible. “At my secondary school in the ’80s, we had no drama classes – probably due to a lack of funding. Looking back, that was a real failing of the educational system. I truly believe I would have improved so much more if drama had been part of the curriculum.”
Community clubs were so important, but funding ceased
He recalls a time when community support was stronger. “In the 1980s, we had playschemes and youth clubs. These places were vital – they offered games, a tuck shop, a TV, sports, and just plain fun. Sometimes we’d have people come in and talk to us about things like drama or photography. It opened our eyes.”
Over the years, however, cuts to local council funding led to the closure of many youth clubs and a reduction in youth workers. “This was a monumental mistake,” says Power. “Young people were left with nowhere to go and nothing to do.”
Youth Training Schemes were a step up the career ladder
At a crucial moment, he found a lifeline through a Youth Training Scheme (YTS). “It offered me a chance to learn about drama and stagecraft. It was one of a kind on the Wirral at the time. I’d left school without qualifications and got caught up in street life for a while. But that YTS – and drama – saved me. It gave me hope, purpose, and a way forward.”
He believes the consequences of a lack of creative provision are playing out on the streets today. “Some young people are turning to gangs, drinking, drugs – because they’re looking for identity, status, and belonging. What if communities offered something better?”
The solution, he argues, lies in making the arts more accessible. “The arts stimulate the mind and body. They build confidence, communication, and emotional intelligence. These aren’t luxuries – they’re essentials.”
Society needs to reset its priorities to help young people
Power urges decision-makers to rethink priorities. “We need to break the cycle – young people drifting through parks or gathering on street corners with nowhere to go. We need to invest not only in youth clubs and organisations, but in programmes that use the arts and sports as vehicles for change.”
His message is clear:
The arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity. They are essential for mental health, skill-building, inclusion, and helping young people break free from failing systems. It’s time we stopped wasting resources – and started investing in potential.
