YMCA Launches Community Programme For Local Young People

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Community leadership scheme for South Wimbledon estate

YMCA London South West is launching a new project for young people aged 13-18 who live on the High Path Estate in South Wimbledon.

Young people can sign up to the Community Leadership Programme where they will get the chance to attend a residential trip to Hindleap Warren; an outdoor educational centre in East Sussex with high and low ropes, zip wires, team building activities and camp fires.

The programme equips the young people from the estate to plan and deliver community events in February 2016 on the High Path Estate, and will be followed by an awards ceremony in March 2016 to celebrate the young people’s achievements.

Paul Rook, Youth Worker at YMCA John Innes Youth Centre in Wimbledon and co-ordinator for the scheme, said: “We want young people who live on the estate to make a difference in their community. Our Community Leadership Programme focuses on equipping young people to become positive role models and lead an event that will make a big impact for all the residents of the High Path Estate.

“We will engage local young people in team-building and leadership development activities which will then be used to ‘give back’ to their community.

“The community events can change the way the High Path Estate looks and operates on a daily basis. We really believe that this project can make a big difference for the young people as they work together to improve where they live.”

The aim of the programme is to prevent young people from entering into anti-social behaviour and other related crime by delivering structured activities that are positive, engaging and fun.

Following the team-building residential trip during the 2015 October half term, YMCA London South West will hold a series of workshops where the young people will put their skills learnt into a project that they design to enable their community to be a safer place.

The project also works in partnership with local residents committees and other community organisations on and around the estate.

Anyone aged 13-18 who lives at the High Path Estate can sign up to the project, which is a partnership between YMCA John Innes Youth Centre and the High Path Estate. For further information on how to sign up, email paulrook@ymcalsw.org.

October 14, 2015