Adventure Inc.
January 2008
Outward Bound: Les Pond from Activenture tells Health and Social Care Students about great voluntary opportunities for young Londoners.
Lambeth College Health and Social Care students attended a motivational presentation by London Youth this month. Representatives from the organisation (formerly known as the Federation of London Youth Clubs) came into our Clapham Centre to give students advice and information on exciting volunteer and training programmes aimed at young people who want to take up an extra challenge.
The projects bring together active young people from across London to provide them with training in a range of skills which require initiative and responsibility. They intend to give young people the experience needed to make a real impact on their community and a difference to the lives of other young people.
One of the initiatives being promoted is The Baytree Centre, a project located in the heart of Brixton offering support, mentoring and training courses to women and girls.
The other Activenture is for young people aged between 8 and 18 years old who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. It is held at a purpose-built outdoor activity centre in Buckinghamshire. Les Pond who heads the project invited students to volunteer to work alongside these young people to encourage them to participate in the activities. He told the students: “Whatever your chosen career or background, the experience you will gain will be invaluable but to succeed you will need the courage to step outside of your own comfort zone.”
Interested students Jamel, Peggy and Shelina with Les Pond and Nicola More from London Youth.
Students were quick to sign up to both projects. Jamel Leslie said: “I’d love to get involved with Activenture. I’m hoping to work within the field of health and social care and the experience I can gain from this programme will help me achieve some of my aspirations.”
Shelina Wheatley said: “I am very inspired by the presentation that London Youth gave today and I’d love to get involved with the Baytree Centre project.”
Tutor Horace Fuller said: “The aim of this presentation is to show students that getting involved with voluntary projects can seriously help them in their pursuit of a professional career and the experience they gain will be invaluable.”
