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Rob is our guest blogger this week:


Yew Tree Youth Theatre is F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C! Anyone from my university friends to my home grown homies know of my devout appreciation for it. You only have to attend a session, performance or workshop to experience its visual, artistic and somewhat spiritual delight. However there is another less obvious reason why I love it; a reason that is not often discussed at youth theatre sessions.
The UK is currently at the mercy of a Conservative government (sense my bias). A government that is cutting the public sector faster and harder than any previous or current government...Why is this an issue you may ask? It’s an issue because you and I as young people suffer at the behest of an economic system that we had no role in messing up.
Subsequently, young people are losing services such as EMA, Aim Higher, DLA, Sure Start, community schemes, arts funding... the list goes on. Additionally youth unemployment is at an all time high and the financial barriers in to higher education have just been raised post 2012. Consequently, what we have is an environment that discriminates young people due to their legislative inability to vote and lobby for change.
However, beyond this governmental failure and morbid image is YTYT; an institution that breaks paradigms and offers unique services. Where community advice schemes are being removed YTYT acts as a medium for direction. Where local arts funding is being cut YTYT provides the opportunity to explore theatre for peanuts. Where local support networks are being suffocated YTYT provides a sense community and belonging.  
Yew Tree represents YOU! While society continual fails to acknowledge the ever increasing social, cultural and economic barriers for young people; Yew Tree aims to readdress this structural imbalance. Whether it’s advice on career opportunities, the chance to act in films, create performances or increase your sense of self...Sarah, Oz, Danny and Gemma offer an enriching environment fair beyond any requirement or obligation.
So I guess my key points are as follows.
Love Yew Tree. Appreciate it. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Nurture it. Grasp it. UNDERSTAND IT...Because it’s a positive force we need to value, in an unstable and complicated time.
One Love x  

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