A Southwark-based graffiti club has launched a new youth initiative aimed at young people aged 10–16, following the success of a community workshop that engaged 140 local pupils.
The Youth Graffiti Club, run by Cockney Green, opened in October 2025 after they hosted a two-day workshop ‘You Can Do Anything’ bringing together students from Phoenix and Ilderton Primary Schools.
The club now operates out of The Arts Yard at LEX2 on Old Kent Road and is the only legal graffiti wall in the area exclusively dedicated to youth club sessions.
Open to all young people, the club promotes what organisers call the “power of paint” in an inclusive, non-judgmental environment.
The founders, Kathryn McGuinness and Alan Davies, noted that many of their attendees have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the club has quickly become a safe and supportive place for their creativity and learning.
McGuinness said: “People have so many misconceptions about children with SEND but these children don’t learn to write their name in graffiti style, but through writing in patterns.
“They know it isn’t vandalism but an expression.’
Each session, which takes place fortnightly, sees 10-15 kids clad in PPE spraying their designs onto walls, sculptures and t-shirts. But it isn’t only art they are learning – confidence and self-expression are also key objectives.
The youth club follows a six week teaching period spanning art history, vinyl printing, sculpting, guest speakers and honest conversations.
Despite its impact, the club is entirely self-funded by McGuinness and Davies, relying heavily on donations and support from local businesses to provide materials.
This comes at a time when graffiti remains a contentious issue across London. In December, Andy Lord, commissioner of Transport for London, revealed that up to £11 million is spent annually removing graffiti from Tube trains.
He cited a recent spike in tagging — particularly on the Bakerloo and Central lines — costing TfL between £10 million and £11 million each year.
Graffiti-related crime has also made headlines, with police earlier this year raiding a home linked to vandalism that caused more than £250,000 in damage on the London Underground.
However, Cockney Green emphasises that its youth club is not about tagging, but about teaching graffiti and street art as legitimate art forms in a safe, legal and supervised setting.
Despite the negative perceptions often associated with graffiti, the initiative is helping to channel creativity into something positive.
McGuinness said: “Many of the children who come through our doors are home-schooled and lack confidence, but they leave with a real sense of pride and belonging.”
The impact is already visible. One participant, who previously did not attend school at all, is now attending three days a week.
The founders hope to secure funding to continue and expand their work, using art as a tool for inclusion and personal development.
They also expressed gratitude to Nicholas Okwulu, MurWalls, Crown Paint, Selco, and other local businesses for their continued support.
Southwark Council has been contacted for comment.
Featured image is a photograph from the paid workshops they run on Leake Street open to all ages as well as corporate events. Credit: Cockney Green
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