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   A Riot Act in Salford
X Factor finalist Jamie “Afro” Archer and his band visited Salford today to meet disadvantaged young people from communities hit by the summer riots. Jamie met with young people at The Prince’s Trust’s Salford Centre, which was officially opened by Salford & Eccles MP, The Rt Hon Hazel Blears earlier in the day. Ms Blears also met with young people who turned their lives around after getting support from the charity’s Fairbridge programme. Jamie performed his debut single, Insanity, due to be released on 6 February 2012, which is raising funds to support The Prince’s Trust UK City Riots Appeal, helping disadvantaged young people from riot-torn communities. Insanity was written by Jamie Archer in response to the riots. The video for the single highlights the devastation and features Maurice Reeves, whose 144 year old furniture store in Croydon was razed to the ground. The UK City Riots Appeal was launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in August 2011 in the aftermath of the riots. The Prince’s Trust announced that it would increase support for young people across five of the areas hardest hit, including Manchester, Birmingham and the London communities of Hackney, Tottenham and Croydon. The Trust is committing a £2.5 million investment in these areas, giving disadvantaged young people positive opportunities to keep their lives on track. The Prince’s Trust’s latest Youth Index report* finds that the impact of the riots during August 2011 is still being felt nationwide, with 47 per cent of all young people believing that the riots have made life even harder for the worst off. Two thirds (66 per cent) of young people think that the events had a negative impact on the prospects of young people in the affected areas. Michelle Vaughan, manager of The Prince’s Trust Salford Centre said: “We are delighted that Jamie visited The Prince’s Trust Salford centre today and are extremely grateful for his support. Jamie’s energy and passion will inspire the young people we help. Money raised for The Trust’s City Riots Appeal will help young people in Greater Manchester into jobs, education and training – and ultimately change young lives.” Jamie Archer says: “‘Insanity’ was written in response to the riots. The fact that sections of society are prepared to destroy their own cities is just beyond comprehension and that’s what the track was written about. As a band it is important for us to write tracks that are engaging and thought provoking. I hope that by donating the proceeds of ‘Insanity’ to The Prince’s Trust UK City Riots Appeal I am giving the young people in affected communities a chance to make a difference and to improve their lives.” Hazel Blears MP said: “The Prince’s Trust is doing really great work and I was very impressed today to meet some of the young people from Salford who are involved. “In these difficult times the work the Trust does to equip young people with the skills and experiences needed to gain employment and to change their lives for the better is incredibly important. “Today I met some of the young people who are on the courses at The Prince’s Trust hub at the Salford centre and heard first-hand about the real difference The Trust is making to their lives. “It was an honour to be invited to open The Trust’s centre today and wish them continued success.” The centre supports young people on the Fairbridge programme, which became part of youth charity The Prince’s Trust in 2011 to help give even more disadvantaged young people the skills and confidence to get in to work, education or training. To find out more information on the work of The Prince’s Trust and the UK City Riots Appeal visit www.princes-trust.org.uk or call 0800 842 842. Jamie’s single will be available for purchase from the 6th February via iTunes and Amazon. Source; Prince' Trust.
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