Images via PR Raheem Sterling visited the National Portrait Gallery to meet some of the participants involved in the footballer’s ‘Making of Me’ programme – an initiative to support the next generation of creatives.‘Making of Me’ launched last year in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery and has since provided 30 young Londoners with opportunities to gain skills and knowledge in an effort to prepare them for future careers as creatives. Over a ten-month period, participants have worked with photographers, filmmakers and digital producers to create a collaborative piece focusing on themes of identity, representation, place and community. Sterling saw the artwork exhibited in the gallery for the first time earlier this month, bringing the initiative full circle, and said: “It has been amazing to see the final portraits and meet the students. It is great to see their passion for the project and how much they have got out of it. “Young People need inspiration for their future, and this collaboration is really great for the kids to express their talents. This is what my Foundation is all about – education, social mobility and creating opportunities for young people to grow.”Sterling has constantly used his foundation to champion young people and give them opportunities to succeed, whether that be through university scholarships or creative programmes like this one. The programme’s final product will be on display at the National Portrait Gallery’s Learning Centre until September 2024.