Hundreds of young people have taken part in a range of schemes this summer designed to raise their aspirations, help them learn new skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications.

The programme is designed and delivered with the support of our young leaders, who have been instrumental in the selection process and identifying what the Council is delivering.

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Childrens’ Services, Cllr Rick Jewell, and Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, Cllr Nneka Keazor, paid a visit to sites in Ponders End and Edmonton to find out more about the Enfield Summer University and Inspiring Young Enfield projects on Wednesday (19 August).

Cllr Jewell said: “These schemes are a fantastic resource for young people in Enfield and they deliver long lasting, tangible benefits for those who participate.

“We are determined that all of our young people achieve their potential and these projects will benefit them in the short, medium and long term and provide them with invaluable skills and experiences they can draw on in the years to come.

“Supporting young people in this way represents an investment in their future, but also the future of our borough.”

Cllr Keazor said: “We wanted to deliver a programme that supports the work done in schools and gives teenagers and young people transferable skills which equip them with the knowledge they need to succeed in today’s society.

“Enfield Council is very aware that we have an obligation to enrich and improve the outcomes for young people in our borough and projects like these deliver immense benefits to the participants , but also to the wider community in the long run.”

Enfield Council’s Summer University programme provides young people with high quality personal and social development opportunities and constructive leisure activities as a diversion from boredom while also preventing young people from taking part in anti-social or other risky behaviour.

Activities have been provided online and from a range of community venues, including youth centres, schools, libraries, leisure centres and outdoor spaces such as multi-use games areas this year, with social distancing measures carefully enforced. Enfield Council has spent £80,000 funding the initiative.

Enfield Council has also been successful in attracting £1.35 million from the Young Londoners Fund for three years, which will enhance the existing youth offer for young people.

The Council has developed the Inspiring Young Enfield programme in partnership with twenty local community groups with the aim of positively engaging young people aged 10-21 in a variety of projects that will enhance their emotional and physical well-being and their ability to make positive and safe life choices.

Further information can be found at https://new.enfield.gov.uk/youth/.