The Ritzy’s Screen 2 was packed last night (6 February) for the premiere of a moving, joyful and inspiring documentary marking 20 years of Brixton’s St Matthews Project.
It began in 2014 when Lee Deema from Brixton’s St Matthew’s estate was taking his two youngest daughters for a kickabout in Brockwell Park and was prevailed upon to take more youngsters with him.
It grew into a six-week school holiday project that, again, he was not allowed to finish.
The project is now a fixture in Brixton. While based on football, it feeds the bodies, minds and souls of local young people.
The film captures brilliantly both Lee’s understated, matter-of-fact, yet inspirational approach, as well as the involvement of a whole community.
“We are proud to say that we have been successfully delivering activities, offering development opportunities and providing support to the young people of Tulse Hill and South Brixton both on and off the pitch for 20 years,” said the invitation to the premiere.
Along the way it has also been the model for national initiatives and changed the lives of many young people.
The project’s 20th anniversary is also marked by an exhibition in Lambeth Archives.
