Teenagers awarded for their achievements

Acton Vale’s teenagers felt the wind in their hair as they zoomed through a series of in-line skating sessions with local Charity RollaDome All Skate in Acton.

Their efforts were recognised as 15 young people who attended regularly received Level 1 and 2 British Roller Skating Federation certificates for their skating achievements on 25 October 2010.

Over the three-month course, 30 young people aged 13–19 from the Acton Vale Estate attended the course arranged by RollaDome All Skate. The activity was organised by Acton Vale Youth Club, which is run by youth workers from Groundwork London and funded by the London Development Agency as part of Young Londoners Friendly Neighbourhoods. The programme encourages the participation of young people in positive, practical changes within their neighbourhood to develop confidence, bring a sense of pride within their local communities and promote social cohesion.

The roller skating sessions were planned after consulting with the young people who identified the sport as an activity they wanted to do, and they were instrumental in devising the project. The keen skaters built upon their confidence to improve balance and coordination, strength and endurance and learn self-discipline both on and off the skate rink.
They learnt new skills including basic starting and balance, turning and stopping, skate control and basic manoeuvrability, as well as discipline and motivation.

The group were presented with certificates by Hugh Pomellf, Head Coach of RollaDome All Skate who praised the participants’ hard work and enthusiasm. Joe Flack, Youth Project Manager at Groundwork London said: “Recreational activities such as these are great for young people’s development. The youth club provides teenagers with opportunities to participate in fun and positive activities to develop their skills.”

Inspired participant Kai Thomas, aged 13, who attends Acton High has been invited by RollaDome All Skate to participate in their young buddies scheme, which will involve him mentoring other young people and working with his peers to establish a youth committee within RollaDome All Skate. He said: "I really had fun skating; I am going to go to more skating lessons and start playing street hockey."

Since the establishment of Groundwork’s Acton Vale Youth Club in West London a year ago, young people have been able to participate in a variety of exciting activities in addition to skating, including music and art workshops, team building activities and rugby sessions with Beaconsfield Rugby Club. Youth workers also provide continued individual mentoring to young people as they navigate through their adolescence, some of whom are vulnerable to social exclusion.

9th November 2010