Young community workers graduate from programme

By Emily Watson Monday, 26 April 2010

Young community workers were rewarded for their hard work over the past 12 months, with a graduation ceremony in the capital last week.

Students from Bsix College, Hackney, celebrate graduation

The Young Londoners Challenge Programme, delivered by green charity Groundwork, has been working with more than 80 young people at risk of not being in employment, education or training (Neet) by engaging them in local community and environmental projects.
 
Groundwork London director Ben Coles said: "The Young Londoners Challenge Programme has shown that with the right support and encouragement, young people can be positive agents of change in their neighbourhoods, and by trusting, empowering and enabling this passionate and formidable force for good, we can harness their potential and desire to make a difference."

The young people involved in the project have now attained more than 100 qualifications. Their achievements were commended with a graduation event last week, attended by the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, and the Mayor of Islington.
 
The young Londoners were also given a free ride on the London Eye, which was lit up green to mark the occasion.
 
Grace-Lorrell Needham from Kingdale Foundation School, who took part in the programme, said: "I think on the whole, the group has overcome so much with Groundwork, whether it was learning to control anger or getting self-esteem.
 
"I used to be very impatient, aggressive and ignorant, but as I've worked these past few months with Groundwork it's helped to develop the life skills that will help me develop throughout life," she added.