Of all the many fields of social enterprise few fizz with as much vitality as those working with young people in creative industries.

According to Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Social Enterprise London, creativity and innovation are central to the social enterprise spirit. “Social enterprises are businesses which take creative, community-led approaches to addressing often the most complex social or environmental needs.”

For example, it takes real creativity to run Catch 22, a cutting-edge magazine journalism-training academy and communications agency for young people from disadvantaged and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds who face serious barriers to employment in the media. “Employing young people to do creative things perfectly encapsulates the creativity inherent in the social enterprise movement,” says Ogden-Newton.

Hard-hitting Bang Radio, which broadcasts on 103.6 FM and online (bangradio.fm), from Harlesden in North West London, is run “by young people for young people”, says its sole full-time producer Gabriella Incalza.

In stark contrast to the established media, the station has an open-door policy where interested 16 to 24-year-olds can walk in off the street and gain experience in broadcasting. This sort of accessibility and “can do” empowerment are central to Bang’s ethos.

“Some of the 80 young people working with us have no qualifications, no job and no education but we represent what they have to say. They learn hands-on how to present, produce and other broadcast and new media skills,” says Incalza. Bang presenters have gone on to find employment at a number of broadcasters including posts at Absolute Radio and BBC Sport.

On a new bi-weekly Real Talk show with Lee Jasper, a race equality campaigner and former race advisor to Ken Livingstone, listeners in North West London air and share issues from teenage pregnancy to gang rape and crime.

“The show acts as a signpost for young people who, perhaps, find it hard to listen to authority figures,” says Incalza. “When all they hear is ‘wrong, wrong, wrong’ the radio station is seen as a mate where they can explore and share experiences.”

Discussions are edgy and candid but real. For example, a listener recently called in to declare that his gang was his “family” when no one else gave him support. Creating a platform to allow these young people to have a say is something rarely seen in more mainstream media.

Bang Radio also promotes local talent on its playlist, from rappers to bedroom mixers. “They wouldn’t be heard on Kiss or Choice,” says Incalza, “but we give them airtime.” A whole host of trainee presenters, DJs and amateur performers look proud and professional in their profiles on the smart Bang Radio web homepage. The website allows them to experiment with new media tools such as online video, blogs and Twitter.

Across the river South City Radio, based in Peckham and going out to Southwark, has its own youth project Reprezent for 13 to 19-year-olds (reprezent.org.uk).

It’s run by a social enterprise, Eclectic Productions in partnership with Choice FM, and since it went live last August with a month-long FM broadcast, has trained 100 young people in broadcasting to a nationally recognised standard. Many of them then go on to present their own shows or become Reprezent leaders such as current station manager Michael Strickland, who started out as a volunteer on Radio Peckham.

“We use radio to connect young people with the decision makers in the community, from police chiefs to politicians,” says Strickland. “The anonymity of listeners means they are more likely to break the wall of silence and speak genuinely about problems such as gun and knife crime. It works as a medium because a lot of young people listen to the radio and it’s a cool, buzzy way to tackle social issues.”

Tapping into the creative potential of the two to 15-year-old age group, MakeBelieve Arts (MBA) is a theatre and education social enterprise set up seven years ago in Deptford, South East London (makebelievearts.co.uk).

The company works with children and teachers in schools, and with young people and their families outside of school in the capital and further afield.

“All babies start out willing to learn but children lose that will with school’s bias on cramming for tests and exams. We use a creative arts approach to make sure children are engaged and enjoying learning,” says Trisha Lee, the artistic director at MBA.

These approaches include the introduction of drama to the curriculum with shows about story telling, mathematics and moving schools, transition support for pupils and parents and holiday workshops.

Lee adds: “We aim to give the children life-long skills. The capacity to analyse, discuss and communicate. It is recognised that creativity is really important for employers in the 21st century. Once they have acquired the skills to ask questions and think outside of the box then they can do anything.”

Ogden-Newton agrees: “We are seeing new creative and arts based social enterprises springing up all the time - and it’s crucial that they do. London’s young people face real challenges in meeting their potential, which is why the work of London’s youth focused social enterprises are so important - enabling London’s young people to develop their skills in enterprising, sustainable ways.”

Some of London’s most talented and vibrant social enterprises will be showcasing their work through live music, theatre and dance at the Scoop outside City Hall from 5.30pm to 7.30pm on Monday 22 June. The evening show follows a daytime Social Enterprise London summit at City Hall, which aims to build a “route map” for social enterprises to work in partnership with London’s authorities. For more information visit sel.org.uk