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Young Leaders to be recruited for 2012 Olympic Games

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Young Leaders to be recruited for 2012 Olympic Games

Tuesday, 02 February 2010 13:46

Tags: Olympics | young people involvement

The 2012 London Olympics organisers are preparing to recruit 100 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK for specialist training. The goal is to produce ‘young leaders' to promote Olympic-based activities in their area and to run voluntary activities during the London 2012 Games.

Interview with Seb Coe by Youth Advisory Board member

London 2012 chairman Seb Coe said: "The London 2012 Young Leaders project fits clearly with our vision of engaging and inspiring young people."

The intensive 18 month leadership training programme will teach communication and leadership skills through a range of volunteering schemes, and will use athlete mentors to inspire recruits. Mr Coe said: "Volunteering is not only an integral part of creating positive change in communities and developing skills in young people, but also essential to the success of the Games."

The Young Leaders Programme is open to 16-25 year olds from Hull, Aberdeen, east London and Sunbury-upon-Thames, where project organiser BP has bases. Councils in each area will decide who qualifies for the scheme and will be responsible for recruitment.

The scheme will be run by oil company BP, volunteering charity V, and the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust.

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Case Studies

Southpoint- Blackpool
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Blackpool is in the throes of regeneration. Major physical changes are taking place throughout the town. An example of these changes is the headlands development on the seafront, recently highlighted as the celebration point for the homecoming of the successful football team. Thousands of people gathered to celebrate the promotion to the premiership. The combination of the people and the backdrop made for such a memorable event.

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Councillor Sheila Clarke, Wirral's Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning said: "This really is a breakthrough for all residents in the area. No more bored teenagers hanging around corners with nothing to do. The hubs have been designed with a high degree of input from young people themselves who have worked with enthusiasm and passion to help establish these new facilities."

Toxteth Youth and Sports Centre - Liverpool
Engaging young people from different backgrounds

Toxteth Youth

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Culture Fusion - Bradford
Partnership and co-locations of service

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One of the challenges many communities face is overcoming deeply entrenched territorial and racial divides. At the aptly named Culture Fusion, in Bradford, young people are leading the charge in overcoming this challenge in their community. Jenny Bass, Bradford Council Youth Participation Worker, points out that there are lots of young people that are proud of the area's diversity and who want to celebrate it rather than perpetuate the tensions and divides that exist. So what does it take to create a myplace centre that provides a place for these young people to tackle these challenges, get the services they need, and of course, have fun? Read more...

United Teens Equality Centre (UTEC) - Lowell, Massachusetts
Innovative funding ideas

These days, teenagers often feel their potential is ignored by judgemental communities, but across the Atlantic, the residents of Lowell, in Massachusetts, have been celebrating the achievements of its young people and their involvement in the United Teen Equality Centre.

UTEC website

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Director of Development Jessica Wilson said: "It's the place you go if you want to talk to teens."

myplace Chesterfield - Derbyshire
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Westfield Folk House - Mansfield, Notts
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Bolton Lads & Girls Club -Lancashire

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Hornsey Road Baths - Islington
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Boclair Academy - BearsdenGlasgow
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