BY MADELEINE WEAVER – SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY OFFICER
WE CAUGHT UP WITH KWAME, WHO COMPLETED OUR LEADERSHIP & ENTERPRISE (L&E) PROGRAMME AND RESIDENTIAL EARLIER THIS SUMMER.
L&E is our programme based in Southwark and Lambeth working with young people between the ages of 11-25. In partnership with local youth organisations, we support friendship groups of young people to manage the conflict in their lives and relationships.
Kwame lives in South London, is 15 years old and has just started Year 11. He participated in Leap’s conflict training over the summer as part of our partnership with Southside Young Leaders Academy.
The course involved 30 hours of face-to-face Leadership & Enterprise curriculum delivery over four Saturdays at Ark Walworth Academy, as well as a three-day residential trip at Hindleap Warren Outdoor Activity Centre.
Going into the residential, Kwame was committed to getting the most out of the experience, stepping outside of his comfort zone and challenging himself during the activities and exercises.
“A HIGHLIGHT FOR ME WAS WHEN WE LEARNT ABOUT VICIOUS CYCLES. THIS MEANS WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING AND YOU DON’T GET THE OUTCOME YOU WANT, BUT YOU KEEP ON REPEATING THE SAME THING. I RECOGNISED INSTANTLY THAT THERE WERE MOMENTS IN MY LIFE WHERE I’VE GONE THROUGH THIS CYCLE. NOW I CAN SEE HOW TO GET OUT OF THE CYCLE. WHEN SOMEONE IS RUDE TO ME, I REMEMBER THAT I SHOULD RESPOND RATHER THAN REACT IN THE MOMENT, AND THIS WILL HELP ME TO GET THE OUTCOME THAT I WANT.”
During the residential, the group did outdoor activities including an obstacle course and high ropes. Kwame was scared of heights before the programme, but he challenged himself and was surprised to find that he could do it. Kwame’s courage has paid off, and his confidence has grown since returning from the residential.
“WHEN YOU CHALLENGE YOURSELF, YOU LEARN SO MUCH MORE ABOUT YOURSELF. IT’S A GOOD THING TO PUT YOURSELF OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, AND SINCE THE RESIDENTIAL, I HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING MYSELF MORE.”
Kwame was awarded the Best Young Leader Award at the end of the course, due to the leadership and teamwork skills he displayed throughout.
Prior to Leap’s training, Kwame said he experienced most conflict with his siblings. Now, he understands how to manage this conflict and is getting into fewer arguments with his brothers.
Kwame really benefited from building close relationships with the project workers and trainers delivering the programme, who he refers to as peers and friends. Kwame has already expressed an interest in further training to continue to apply the conflict tools in his own life and relationships.
“I FELT SO PROUD OF MYSELF FOR WINNING THE AWARD BECAUSE I REALLY WENT FOR IT. I TRIED TO BE MYSELF AND TO BE A MODEL OF THE PERSON I WANT TO BE. ”
Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their support to Leadership & Enterprise.
