Creating brighter futures for young people in the UK

Our CEO, Simon Errington, recently had the privilege of visiting Alexz Educational at Chalkhill Community Centre in London to see first-hand the impact of one of the projects we support.

He says: "From the moment I arrived, it became clear that this wasn't simply an environmental project. It was a programme about developing confident, capable young people.The group were preparing an awareness campaign around pollution and climate change, centred on the powerful message: Don't let our future fade away.

As I observed the session, the young people weren't just discussing environmental issues, they were learning how to:

• Develop leadership skills
• Work effectively as a team
• Communicate with confidence
• Plan and deliver a public campaign
• Think critically
• Solve problems together
• Organise events
• Create marketing materials
• Engage their local community.

Watching them work through the practical steps of planning a campaign - from setting objectives and identifying target audiences to designing promotional materials and preparing for their community bake sale on 4th July - was incredibly impressive. I was particularly inspired by listening to their individual journeys and ambitions.

One young person, Elena, has progressed from participant to youth worker, demonstrating the life-changing impact that programmes like this can have.

Others shared aspirations including becoming a sports coach and a paramedic, while some are still discovering where their future lies. What united them all was a growing confidence in themselves and their ability to make a positive difference.

Children in Distress is proud to support projects like Alexz Educational because they do so much more than deliver activities. They help young people develop the confidence, resilience, leadership and employability skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Thank you to the team at Alexz Educational for making me so welcome and to the young people for allowing me to spend time with them. I left feeling incredibly optimistic about what they can achieve - not just through this campaign, but in whatever future they choose to pursue.

These are exactly the kind of opportunities for young people that your support makes possible.

Alexz Educational is one of the community projects we have recently grant funded in the United Kingdom whilst continuing to provide vital support to vulnerable children in Romania. You can find out more about our UK projects here.