A youth group wants to show not all young people are yobs after the negative publicity generated by the Battersea riots.

The Elays Network, based in Battersea, is open to teenagers and adults all over Wandsworth. It began in 2003 and runs a number of different clubs in the borough from sports to performing arts and film.

It is made up predominantly of teenagers and adults between the ages of 14 and 25 from the Somalian community but also has Pakistani, Moroccan and Sudanese members.

University graduate Hodan Hussein, 23, is currently the group's president and feels their work is helping improve the image of Somalians in the community.

She said: "The media image of Somali people isn't very positive and we want to change that.

"Our aims are to give opportunities to young kids who have a will and good ideas but do not tend to get heard.

"We just take these ideas and try and make it happen. Every person has a big part in Elays."

The group also takes part in a lot of charity work and is raising money for the Islamic Relief Fund, which is currently helping those suffering in the Somalian droughts.

The network has had a lot of success with its film productions, which are written, directed and produced by members of the group.

Its first film, Ayan, was recognised at the Happy Soul Youth Awards for best short film and the network is currently in the production stage of its latest film, Pentagon, which is based on the experiences of four Somali teenagers who are caught in different crossroads of their lives.

The group has also performed two sold-out self-penned stage plays in the last few years at the Battersea Arts Centre, called Who Am I? and The Abdi Family, playing to more than 500 people.

Speaking of the chaos near Clapham Junction earlier this month, Ms Hussein said: "We are really devastated by it. We do not support it or understand it, but can see where their frustration is coming from.

"This is how they feel they are able to get heard but it doesn't mean it is right. The Government needs to acknowledge their cry for help."

Visit elaysnetwork.com for more information.