Matthew attended the massively popular Everyone2Gether event in Edgware. Established by the Nutmeg Community Project, the gathering attracted over 800 young people from as far away as East Barnet. The Nutmeg Project assists young people to Unite, Educate, Inspire and Create through inspirational workshops and community forums.
During these events Nutmeg holds debates and allows external organisations such as the Met Police and Barnet Homes to come along and educate the young people on topics such as: sexual health, anti-knife crime, homelessness, abuse, drugs, and the education system.
The project was started in September 2008 by Darwin Bernardo who, together with a school teacher, held mini workshops inside school to inform students that the carrying of knives is not only wrong but also that it is not ‘normal’ behaviour.
Nutmeg also runs motivational and self development workshops and involves other inspirational young people who have set up their own organisations. This creates further opportunities for projects that help young people in their community through music workshops, dance, art and fashion events.
Matthew said: “In my maiden speech to the House of Commons I said that I would prefer society to instil a sense of aspiration, aspiration, aspiration into young people that will accompany them into adult life. Nutmeg is achieving that through a project that I believe is the Big Society in action. I am very proud of what Nutmeg do and hope to become more involved in their activities.”
Matthew is pictured at the Everyone2Gether event with Darwin Bernardo, the founder of NUTMEG