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The National Youth Agency: Comment - Oliver's story

1 min read
Peter Oliver wanted to take arts at university but failed to get a grant. In 1948 he undertook a youth and community course at Swansea. He worked for ten years with young people at Ellesmere Port, where such names as Frankie Vaughan and Alma Cogan passed through the doors of his centre.

Later, in the 60s and 70s, he worked at the Oval in London. He turned atraditional youth provision into the home for a new arts movement whichinvolved young people from Lambeth and the likes of Pierce Brosnan andSalman Rushdie. His obituary in The Guardian said: "Oliver's gift was torecognise the adventurous, anarchic spirit and give it house room". Hehad a total concern for young people and their wellbeing. He used thearts as a means to build their confidence, skills and understanding. Hehelped young people understand and value the arts - for arts sake. Theperfect combination of youth work and arts work!

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