We are pleased to be celebrating London’s outstanding youth practitioners and young people. Youth workers have been dedicated through these difficult times, coming together to help London’s young people and their families, no matter what. Now more than ever we see the essential need for quality youth services.
This year’s theme was Ambitious for Youth Work and on Monday 2 November the Mayor’s Young Londoners Fund brought together over 100 youth workers and young people in an online youth-led conversation about the transformative power of youth activities.
Our host for the event was the super talented Ebinehita Iyre, founder of Milk and Honey Bees, a creative and expressive safe space for Black Girls to flourish and put H.E.R (Healing, Empowerment and Resilience) first. We asked Ebinehita about her reflections and what she learned through this process.
Q: What did it feel like to host an event for youth work week?
Ebinehita- It felt like growth, personal, professional and mainly growth of my inner child who looked up to the youth worker that supported me. As someone who started my journey as a youth worker it was really good to host but also influence other young people who could become youth workers and know that you are not limited to the things you can do as a youth worker.
Q: Why is it important to bring young people and youth workers together to have these discussions?
Ebinehita: It is so important as without young people’s voices us as youth workers will not be able do our jobs to our best ability. Being able to share space for the young people we strive to support and allowing their voices to lead the discussions is a shift in power that needs to happen more.
Q: Were there any standout moments?
Ebinehita: My standout moments were hearing what young people would do if they were Mayor for the day. Hearing about how they would take up a role so big and reinvest in other young people only shows that we are raising our next leaders.
If I was Mayor for the day….
(Contributions from young people who took part)
Q: What advice would you give to another young chair for hosting events?
Ebinehita: Don't be scared to make people laugh... a little bit of banter with the participants of the event helps you and them but leaves the audience wanting more. I would also say that you should be proud of yourself because it is not easy, but you will be great if you try.
If you missed it don’t worry as the event was recorded and you can watch it again, or share with others.
Message from the Mayor
You can also view the message from the Mayor of London played at the event. Please feel free to share this with young people and youth workers .
Upcoming opportunities for young people
We’ve got loads coming up! Here are just some of the ways you can get involved:
-
The Future Speaks - An exciting virtual event to celebrate Black Lives Matter titled ‘The future speaks’ hosted by the Peer Outreach Team on Zoom on Tuesday 30 November 2020 from 14.30 -17.30. To sign up email: [email protected]
-
Igniting Potential Film Project - Would you like to be part of making a film that gives young people a voice and shows what young Londoners need right now. Work with a media crew and a team of young people to produce a short documentary film about the youth activities that matter to you. Coming in early 2021. Sign up for updates.
-
People's Question Time Online - This is your chance to hear the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and the London Assembly, questioned about their plans and priorities for the city at the first-ever People’s Question Time Online on Thursday 12 November 2020 at 7pm. Sign up on our event page.
We will leave you with this final inspiring thought....
“Some young people feel like they can't get involved in activities as the world is a big place. All they need to do is find out what is important to them and to believe in themselves!”
(Young leader of the future)