Netflix series star urges young people to 'train in the art of filmmaking' to get their voices heard

Top Boy lead actor Ashley Walters will be giving out scholarships and work experience opportunities to young people as part of vlogging competition Vlogstar Challenge.

The competition, backed by the Evening Standard and is now in its third year, aims to inspire 16-25 year olds in London and Essex to share their views on the issues they are passionate about by giving them the skills and opportunities to create their own video blogs.

One-hundred-and-fifty finalists have already been selected and invited to join a workshop at YouTube’s London HQ and 15 semi finalists were invited to attend a full production day last week where the winners were able to make use of the video platform giant’s state-of-the-art production space.

This year’s champion will be announced at a grand final event at BAFTA next month and, through support from the Jack Petchey Foundation, receives £2,000 for their organisation, £500 worth of equipment and mentoring from YouTube’s experts.

Ashley, one of a group of celebrity ambassadors for Media Trust, dedicates his free time to mentoring young people, and is specifically passionate about being a positive father role model and an activist for meaningful parenting.

These days the former So Solid Crew member is also producing, and alongside Noel Clarke he created, produced and starred in Sky One's successful drama Bulletproof.

Ashley's new production company SLNda are currently working on several shows which will move into production in 2019 and alongside these screen projects, Ashley co-owns Kingdom Drama School, a part-time actors’ school, which offers an alternative to the exclusive, elite institutions, and makes actors training accessible to all.

“With diversity being a continuously topical issue within the creative industries, it’s inspiring to see so many young people training in the art of film making to ensure that their voices are heard, as well as gain hard technical skills for their future employability.

“It’s reassuring that the Vlogstar Challenge annual competition, powered by Jack Petchey Foundation and put in to action by Media Trust is engaging young people to share their experiences and passions in positive ways,” the Peckham-born star of stage, music charts and big screen said.

Ninety-two-year-old Sir Jack Petchey CBE has a real rags to riches story and is an East End entrepreneur turned philanthropist. Vlogstar Challenge, which is funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation, is one of the youth projects his foundation has invested £118m in since 1999.