Young people from Newham demonstrate great skills at a community event earlier this week when they presented their summer programme before their peers, the community and Cabinet members.
Trinity Community Centre based at Canning Town South is now open as the temporary location for Shipman Youth Zone's sessions, while its main location at Prince Regent Lane is undergoing a £6.5m renovation.
Children of all ages accompanied by their parents or carers, attended the event. The local community was able to get very useful and important information on the various support available to them, whilst enjoying some fresh fruits and vegetables, painting a mural and participating in group discussions at the Talkaoke.
Passers-by were also encouraged to jump in the discussions with the young people who expressed their views on preparing for exams during a pandemic, social media, summer activities and more.
Twenty-two-year-old Kehinde, who was involved in organising the community event, said: “This is really great. I love doing this and I aspire to become a manager one day, so being here today and also working with the youth workers is really helping me.”
Throughout summer, various workshops and youth work sessions were also delivered outdoors in parks, where young people managed to get involved in educational and interactive sessions such as Stop & Search and First Aid workshops.
Councillor Sarah Ruiz, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, who also attended, said: "It is really welcomed to have the Trinity Centre opening up and being used in the local community again, especially for young people, in an area where this very little for them to do. The community was able to see what was on offer including various support available to them. I’m looking forward to seeing my heart on the mural when it goes up. Enjoyed the Talkaoke and talking to such confident young people."
Councillor Dr Rohit Dasgupta, Canning Town South ward, said “It is refreshing to see the community in Canning Town South come together in such a big way at the Trinity Community Centre. It's really good to have these events where children of all ages including those with vulnerabilities, parents and carers, can join in and participate. It's important for the community to know what the Youth Empowerment Service does and to understand what is available for them.”