Community Projects Lead the Way
“Under my leadership youth will be our priority…we will ensure the necessary resources are provided for them” said Cllr Lutfur Rahman, the new leader of the council, as he outlined his commitment to young people during the Annual Awards Ceremony of the Brick Lane Youth Development Association (BLYDA) and Elite Youth on 28 May 2008 at a glittering ceremony held at Mulberry Girls School.
Cllr Lutfur Rahman was accompanied by a number of his cabinet showing their support for the achievements of BLYDA and Elite Youth, the list included deputy leader, Cllr Sirajul Islam, lead member for Children’s Services, Cllr Clair Hawkins, lead member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener Neighbourhoods, Cllr Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Employment & Skills, Cllr Alibor Choudhury and Lead Member for Regeneration & Partnerships, Cllr Ohid Ahmed.
The Annual Awards Ceremony is a regular annual fixture of BLYDA and Elite Youth; it is an event to highlight and reward the achievements of young people and bring together all those involved in making it possible.
“We are here today to celebrate the achievements of you, the young people, and recognise the work of projects like Amaal Girls Group [project of BLYDA] that have made these achievements possible… It is a tribute to you that you have the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader and the Mayor of Tower Hamlets all in the same room to recognise your achievements”. (Rt. Hon. Baroness Paula Uddin)
Over 300 young people, parents, community leaders and professionals were present to witness an array of presentations, testimonials, DVD’s and role plays, not to mention the actual awards themselves.
Such was the list of achievements this year that the guests and organisers were kept busy presenting awards throughout the entire duration of the ceremony. Over 96 awards were presented on the day. Young people were not only recognised for educational, sporting and volunteering achievements, but also for overcoming barriers and challenges. There were also special awards for members of the community for their outstanding contribution to young people.
“It gives us so much satisfaction to see so many young people achieving. Not only do we want to show our appreciation for the hard work of young people, but also those who make it possible. Today is their day!” (Abu Mumin, Senior Manager, BLYDA).
Piara Power, Director of the national campaign Kick It Out was on hand to present the awards to the young people that have participated in Elite Youth’s Football in the Community Project. Piara added “It’s great to see so many young people in this room…. You [young people] are the future of tomorrow and it is great to see such great work being undertaken by Elite Youth and BLYDA”
Cllr Abdal Ullah spoke about the challenges the organisations and young people face in Tower Hamlets.
“We have heard of the many horrific incidences of gang violence that have led to the deaths of young people by other young people…so far, touch wood, this has not happened in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets…I believe, the credit goes to the Youth Service and organisations like BLYDA and Elite Youth that have worked tirelessly to prevent such things happening here in Tower Hamlets”
The accomplishments of the Elite Youth Health Trainers project piloted by the Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust, was one of the highlights of the day. Whilst all the other projects focused on young people, the Health Trainers focused on parents, guardians and carers. The project recognises the need to involve parents, guardians and carers in healthy activities so that they can be examples for their children and provide them with adequate levels of support. The project has strengthened BLYDA and Elite Youth’s ability to deliver a holistic programme to the community. The new Mayor for Tower Hamlets Cllr Mohammed Abdus Salique spoke highly of the work of the Health Trainers and their engagement with some of the elder members of Tower Hamlets.
The evening was rounded off with a three course dinner. Guest and attendees all praised the professionalism and the ability to make young people the focal point of the entire event.
“It [the annual awards ceremony] was really good… I thought it was going to be spoiled by the food, but that didn’t happen… the chicken curry was daroon [amazing]” (Nurul Amin, 19)
Elite Youth and BLYDA see the development, needs, and aspiration of young people as integral to the development of a thriving community. For more information on the services of Elite Youth and BLYDA please contact Elite Youth on 020 7247 8080 and BLYDA on 020 7375 0389 or visit www.eliteyouth.org and www.blyda.org.