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Community arts group LS7 Results, which works in the Little London and Chapeltown, is working with the city council's youth service on a project called Direct Impact.

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Young actors will be offered the chance to be involved in making the film and performing in the play, both of which will be premiered at The Carriageworks theatre.

The projects will be based around making young people aware of the dangers attached to carrying – and using – weapons.

LS7 Results leaders are running free open arts workshops, to which would-be performers are invited to polish their skills before auditions are held.

Sophina Maynard, LS7 Results's youth development co-ordinator, said the idea for Direct Impact came from an unexpected meeting with a group of street youths in Chapeltown.

She explained: "There was a party and accreditation night at Hillcrest, some street boys turned up and Chantelle Davis, our artistic director, was talking to them.

"Afterwards, she said we had to do something that would reach out to them. They are excluded in so many ways, either they are excluded from school or they have dropped out, they are completely caught up in street culture.

"We have one guy involved who used to be a well known street boy, he has decided that isn't the way he wants to go any more and he wants to be part of this project. We want to reach more people like him."

The LS7 Results ethos is "each one, teach one," she said. Sophina said that as well as the performance side, Direct Impact is about developing each individual person.

"We want to help develop everyone who walks through our doors," Sophina said. "We want to develop confidence, life skills and discipline as well as promoting weapons awareness."

Workshops will be held until October 7. Monday sessions are at Woodhouse Community Centre, Wednesdays at Little London Community Centre. Both run from 6.30pm until 8.30pm.

* Leaders of community groups interested in working with LS7 Results can ring (0113) 2177705 or email: info@ls7results.co.uk