Frenford's Summer Jam

The power of volunteering and young people was on show at Frenford Clubs on Sunday 8th August. 75 young people from the borough helped make the event a runaway success. To celebrate the achievements of 80 years of Frenford's Youth Club, Frenford's Youth Committee joined forces with the vinvolved's Redbridge Youth Action Team to host Summer JAM, the ultimate youth event this summer! This was the first time that the two teams of young people have collaborated and worked together. They organised Frenford's Summer Jam to put on an event for the whole community; young and old. Rebecca Awan from the Youth Action Team said "it was initially a little nerve wracking working with a new team, but as time progressed and we got to know each other we learnt to work together. It was great to work with the Youth Committee and witness how passionate they are about the club. We managed to pull of a really successful event together! The two teams also managed to engage an additional 55 young people as volunteers on the day." Alex Hinds, a Youth Action Team member who compered the event added "after months of planning it was fantastic to see everything come together on day. And we all played a part in that." The young people had organised and arranged a range of activities for locals to get involved in on the day, including; street dance, graffiti, face painting, football, cricket, Wii and Playstation tournaments to name a few. There was also information stalls from vinvolved East London, Frenford Clubs, St Johns Ambulance and PCSO Safer Neighbourhoods. Frenford's Club is moving to new premises at the end of the year, the event was a thank you to everyone who has made Frenford's an outstanding success! Irfan Shah of Frenford Clubs commented; "To witness 'young people' plan and execute an event with over 50 plus young volunteers, has to be one of the most satisfying highlights of my time as a youth worker. The Frenford's Youth committee and the Redbridge Youth Action Team supported by Frenford, vinvolved East London, Changemakers and BTCV have made this event possible but notably a success. People approached me at the event and were extremely complimentary towards the young people who were volunteering at the event. This gives Frenford great hype as we approach a much anticipated move to the drive in October. I only hope that this event will be highlighted as much as the negatives surrounding young people usually are. Young people must be supported more now than ever as they face a steep rise in unemployment and I see volunteering as a tool to bridge the gap to employment."