A CREATIVE arts club which is like “magic” to the young people it helps wants to raise £10,000 to refurbish its building.

Everyone’s Climbing Tree, in Station Road, Wood Green, hopes to create more space to teach, run workshops and hold stage events.

The group was founded by Skanda Sabbagh in memory of his dad, Mustapha, who died of terminal cancer aged 66 in 2010.

Tottenham Independent:

Today, it runs all types of workshops including drumming, yoga, African dance and art for people of all ages, but also works with teenagers who are part of the Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).

The group also works with Youth for Music, which runs programmes to help engage young people in the youth justice system.

Skanda, 31, a drummer by trade, said: “When some of our members first started coming here five years ago, they couldn’t articulate themselves, were closed off and nervous.

“But thanks to this programme, they are role models, they have grown into fine young men and are going to university. It transforms their lives.

“People tell me I’m pouring too much into this, but I say, have you been there when you’re talking to a young person and the penny drops, and they suddenly understand something?

“Some are very hard to work with but it’s always so worth it in the end.”

The £10,000 will also help refurbish the outbuildings behind its Station Road hub, which will be turned into music and dance studios.

Skanda’s mission is to try and keep the costs low to ensure each class is accessible to everyone in the community and money is “never a barrier”.

He added: “But what I love about this is that it’s not just for young people, it’s for anyone, of any background. You can come with your mum, dad, sister or grandma.

“Recently, we’ve had African dance workshops and to see people’s enjoyment and sense of awe it’s really inspiring. For me, to see that happen is just magic.”

He decided to launch the group after seeing how much of an impact his father, a cleaner who was born in Tunisia, made to people’s lives before his death.

He has fond memories of them playing the drums together as a three-year-old and decided an art scheme would be a fitting tribute.

Skanda added: “If my dad could see this happening - the way he’s inspiring young people through creativity, he’d definitely be there making noise in the corner.

“He’d be clapping and smiling. Even though he was a big and heavy guy, he’d have a big grin on his face.”

His older sister, Sonya, runs art classes while his mother, Mustapha’s wife, is the chairman.

Elijah Grelet, who has been playing the African drums since he was seven, found it hard to write and articulate himself clearly from a young age.

He was later diagnosed with dyspraxia, dyslexia and autism but he was able to “instantly” express himself through music at the drummming class.

He is now the captain of the Advanced Teenage African Drumming Troupe Gide Bille and his newfound confidence allowed him to pass his GCSEs.

He said: “When I am in Everyone’s Climbing Tree it feels like home, that is why I arrive early and it takes ages for me to leave. Playing African drums helps me understand who I am and what can achieve now and in the future.”

The group is also supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Clara Govier, head of charities, said: “It’s great to see the impact money raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery is having across London.

“The young people taking part in the projects supported by Youth Music are clearly benefiting enormously. It goes to show that the wonderful support players give to organisations such as Youth Music can be life-changing.”

People can attend a fundraiser on Sunday, April 30 from 2.30pm at Everyone’s Climbing Tree, Station Road. For more, click here.  http://www.everyonesclimbingtree.co.uk .