AN EX-OFFENDER has vowed to steer at-risk youngsters away from the criminal justice system and drug abuse through theatre and film-making.
Hugh Young, from Glasgow, started the Street Cones theatre group while serving time in prison and, upon his release, has become determined to employ the arts as a "mechanism" to prevent offending.
Ever since he took part in a workshop held by Citizens Theatre at Barlinnie, Mr Young, 43, has been eager to deter young people from the criminal justice system and substance misuse.
Through Street Cones he hopes to raise awareness of how negative emotions can affect behaviour, while exploring the triggers that ignite negative decision-making.
Mr Young, who has served a sentence for drug-related offences, said: "Young people listen to what we're saying because we communicate with empathy in a language they understand and can relate to.
"Most of us here have been through the care system and we were all faced with the same barriers to reintegration as we got older.
"That's why at Street Cones we use the drama and script-writing process to improve literacy, creativity and leadership - all skills which will help people develop a future for themselves.
"Then there is the social side of it and we hope to give them a sense of belonging, self-esteem and confidence."
Street Cones also tries to help young people come up with a business plan for any ideas they have in the hopes they will be able to become their own boss.
The drama side of the group has also been approached by Police Scotland, local authority umbrella group Cosla and the Scottish Prison Service and they are hoping to take a play based on the experience of reception at HMP Barlinnie to the Edinburgh Fringe festival next year.
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