The Interactions programme runs drama and creative workshops in Hackney for young people aged 13-19 who have been excluded from mainstream school. Disengaged from education at the best of times, the impact of successive lockdowns has further reduced the positive pathways open to these young people and negatively impacted mental health. Formed in 1996, Immediate Theatre uses drama and the arts to work with children and young people who are ‘at risk’ of social or educational exclusion in Hackney. For many years, Immediate has been offering employability programmes for young people who have specific issues, ie young offenders, teenage parents and the team is experienced at creating routes into the industry for this client group. ALMT funding enables the new ‘Positive Pathways Officer’ to work with 40 young people registered on the Interactions programme, create one-to-one support plans for those that need them and develop pathways back into employment and education.