England and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling has partnered with the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) to launch ‘The Making of Me’, a new creative youth engagement programme to upskill young Londoners.

In partnership with 1692, The Raheem Sterling Foundation, the NPG programme will give “30 young people from London the chance to learn a variety of skills and the knowledge needed to progress into future creative careers.”

Liz Smith, the Director of Learning and Engagement at the London-based gallery said: “Initially delivered in Raheem’s home and borough of Brent, our new partnership will offer opportunities for young people to learn new skills by working in collaboration with artists and makers.”

Participants will attend 12 workshops and will be given the opportunity to explore themes such as self-identity, representation, place and community before producing photographic and portraiture pieces inspired by existing works from the NPG collection.

Those who attend the programme will also have the chance to see their work on display at the NPG when it reopens next Spring - after a three-year closure and £35.5 million renovation.

Sterling has worked tirelessly in recent years to ensure young people are given the support they need when it comes to improving their opportunities, future careers and quality of life. And this partnership with the NPG is just another example of how the baller is bettering the lives of young people in his home city.