A skills development programme has offered invaluable leadership training and experience to young people within Derby.
Organised by Empowered Youth, the Future Leaders Project gave a diverse cohort of over a dozen 16 to 25-year-olds the opportunity to attend workshops, gain accredited qualifications and take part in a three-day residential camp to boost their employability.
The project was supported by several local partners, including Derby College, YMCA, the City Council and young activists group BLM New Gen.
It was funded by Derby Opportunity Area, led by Local Programme Manager Alix Manning-Jones.
“This project has supported young people to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Alix said.
“I couldn’t be more proud.”
The programme – which held its official launch event at Derby University on 28th June – took place over the course of two months, and was a big success.
Niamh Toner of BLM New Gen described the programme as “a whirlwind nine weeks of growing, learning and breaking boundaries”.
“The Future Leaders are now taking their first steps into turning the theory of leadership into reality,” she wrote in a blog post for Empowered Youth.
An awards ceremony was held at Derby College on 23rd August in which the cohort delivered speeches about their journey, and also demonstrated their newfound confidence and public speaking skills.
Empowered Youth CEO Dene Botha, who was recognised as one of the 100 most influential young South Africans in 2019 said: “We at Empowered Youth couldn’t be prouder of the results of this programme.
“It has been an honour to not only work alongside the inspiring organisations to build such strong foundations for the youth of today, but also to have the opportunity to play a role in the evolution of our Future Leaders.”
Find out more at empowered-youth.com
By Jamie Morris
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