A mother-of-one who looks upon young people heading down the wrong path “as her own” has set up a youth empowerment project to show them that someone cares.

Mahnaz Bhatti of Chingford has teamed up with young artists in Waltham Forest to launch SICK in Walthamstow next month.

The 47-year-old, who has worked as a life coach for 15 years, decided something needed to be done to address “all the violence in the area” after recent incidents across the borough.

But it was a chance encounter with a young man on public transport that led her to take matters into her own hands.

“I was on the 97 bus coming into Walthamstow one day and there was a man on the phone who had an outburst,” said Mrs Bhatti.

“He started shouting. Everyone was looking at him. He went into a rage and was yelling.

“I decided to turn around and ask him if he was ok. He pointed to his phone so I told him to hang up.

“We got chatting and he told me about what was happening in the situation and I just listened and he calmed down just by having the conversation with me. There’s always a story behind someone’s anger.

“I asked him about the music he was interested in and he turned out to be a really nice guy.”

Ms Bhatti has enlisted the help of a friend who is working with former gang members in Chicago to offer tips for setting up the east London project.

Waltham Forest police officer Jason Hill, Leytonstone-based hip-hop artist Lemzi and Luke November, a rapper and dancer, offered to help Mrs Bhatti bring her plans to fruition.

The group gathered to discuss ideas before approaching Waltham Forest Council leader, Cllr Clare Coghill, who backed the project.

When asked how they came up with the name SICK, Mrs Bhatti said: “We were having a conversation about what to do and they kept saying, ‘this is sick and that is sick’. It’s how they describe something that is awesome.

“It’s not the kind of vocabulary that I use but it works.

“We are all about showcasing the talent of the young people in Waltham Forest and empowering them.

“I think sometimes the conversation about young people can be unfair. The vast majority of young people are not violent.”

The project’s launch will take place at Walthamstow Town Hall from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday, November 4.

A panel of speakers will include reformed gang members and there will be stalls featuring information about sports and dance groups and youth clubs in the area.

There will also be live performances from a number of young artists including Iesher Haughton, who appeared on The Voice, DJ Lilli-P, Jamal Khan, Amelia Poamz, Tells, Miss Dionne, Luke November and Lemzi.

Tickets are £3 for under 25s and £10 for over 25s.

“I want every young person to know that they should have a sense of worth,” added Mrs Bhatti.

“I just love these kids. I see them as my own. They are part of my extended family and all they need is love.

“It just feels like this is the right thing to do with everything that’s going on.”