BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND COMMUNITY IN HILLINGDON
This August, young people from across Hillingdon came together for Step Into Summer, our two-week summer programme designed to build confidence, English language skills, creativity and community.
Led by facilitator Victor Rios, working alongside our Youth Board Co-Chair Frank, the programme brought a mix of confidence-building games and hands-on creative filmmaking to 20 newly arrived young people in Hillingdon, hosted at Brunel University. From icebreakers and trust exercises to first steps behind the camera, the sessions gave young people a space to try something new and take creative risks.
Alongside the creative workshops, a real joy of Step Into Summer is how it brings young people together, giving them space to meet and build community. Lunchtimes are full of Dabke dancing, playlists getting passed around, and games and stories from home countries swapped over food. It matters to us that Step Into Summer isn't only about building technical skills; it's about giving young people the time to get to know each other and celebrate where they're from and who they are.
““This programme changed my life. Since arriving in the UK I have only stayed in my room all the time and never went out. This has been the best thing since coming to the UK.” ”