Help get our wheels moving

Help Change The Lives Of The Next Generation

Young Urban Arts Foundation  bought an old Dennis Dart single decker bus converted into a multimedia studio to help keep young people off the streets who may be vulnerable to gangs or those at-risk by teaching skills in music and arts to further their self-expression, confidence, self-esteem, improve mental health, build healthy relationships and social skills. We work in hard to reach communities such as, council estates which have little or no provision and above all, we raise aspirations and confidence so that they can truly reach their full potential.

Knife crime has left London’s young people reeling. We need action now.
84 young people (recorded) have been stabbed to death in the past 8 months, the interventions we are delivering not only prevent fewer deaths but improves life chances and transforms mindsets to reduce risk.  Our work really is life or death.



Independent Grass-roots Charity
With no core funding from local authorities or big funders, we hustle every day to get the bus into the communities where it is needed the most. Our amazing bus has now broken down and through the wear and tear, it really needs some help. We had projects booked in all over the summer but now it has come to a halt we are unable to reach the communities we work in.  In addition to the repairs that need to be undertaken to make it safe and attractive, we would also like to enhance the teaching experience by upgrading some of the equipment and software so we can offer the best service.


What difference are we making?
88% were more confident meeting new people;
99% were happier after engaging in 1-5 workshops;
72% found it easier to share their feelings;
94% felt they had improved communications skills;
82% had greater self-confidence;
94% felt more supported in pursuing their goals.


"We are changing so many lives, with the lack of youth services across the capital there are very few organizations like us around and we are determined to transform the lives of young people by strengthening their wellbeing through creativity and culture"       Kerry O'Brien, Founder & CEO

The funds will be spent on
Mechanical and bodywork repairs 
Updating software for 10 workstations
(Any funds left over will fund work directly on the estates we work on with young people)

Hear stories of the difference we make when young people meet us on the bus

Kaila's Story 

Adam's Story 

Why help YUAF? 

We have worked with 17,500 young people in just 9 years, we really need your help to get our wheels moving and updated so we can keep doing the great work that we are doing with our young people to expand their lives.

What People Say

" I used to do nothing with my life. I had no direction, no real relationship with my parents and felt like there was no hope for me. I just didn’t care or want to change.   One day I was at my friend’s house and I heard some music playing outside and saw the bus. I got involved in the music workshops and loads of the other workshops and courses. I started volunteering and taking any opportunity I could through the support of the team and, after just one year, I found the confidence to get myself a full-time job, my own apartment and now I don’t drink or use drugs anymore. I really don’t know where I would be if the bus didn’t turn up on my estate that day’. Jerome Johnson, Creative Arts participant, Croydon

 ‘The bus came to the estate once a week for 6 weeks. We noticed the difference in  Anti-Social Behaviour after just two. These kids want something to do, they don’t want to be breaking into cars or annoying members of the community, they need something to stimulate their minds, something to challenge them. Being a Police Officer, it’s always a challenge talking to the kids on these estates because they don’t trust us. we came to   the final session of this programme and it was nice to have a normal conversation with  the kids without any bad feelings.’ (Community Police Officer, London Borough of Lewisham

‘Since getting in the bus, I have gained so much confidence and experience within the music industry. From getting big opportunities to perform at Love Box   Festival to be a part of Amy’s Yard Foundation and I am now in University and my mental health is so much better. Without the help from my tutors, I don’t think I would have been able to get this far or accomplish so much in just a   space of one year.’ Lashelle McDonald, Creative Arts participant, Lewisham