The rain stops and the sun starts to shine. As I unload the equipment I'm pleased to see young people emerging from where they had been sheltering. Soon 20 to 30 young people are gathered, all busily discussing what they’ve been doing at school and what they have planned for the weekend.

'Have you got those stick things mate?' The young guy is referring to the juggling spinstix he’d learned to use over the previous four Friday evening sessions. Soon the young people are all having a go at spinstix, diabolos and other circus skills.

Passers-by look on, wondering what it's all about… Young people, in a park on a Friday night, all involved in positive activities – NOT getting drunk, NOT causing trouble!?

I introduce myself to the onlookers, tell them what we're up to and invite them to join in. Some of the young people share their skills with them. One of them turns out to be a local councillor. He's interested in what the young people are doing, and asks what they would be up to if they weren’t engaged in the project. 'Getting drunk!' 'Hanging about the street – there’s nowt to do. We get bored and then get into trouble.'

One of the artists hears some of the young people talking about getting drunk, so he starts an informal discussion about alcohol. The young people are happy to take part, and feel comfortable discussing what they and their friends do. They don’t realise that the street art they then start to create is a discussion point and an educational tool.

Not 'just' arts, but issue based arts. What a way to spend a Friday evening!