Following a successful summer of holiday activity programmes, in partnership with Bfriends, Birmingham Children’s Trust, Birmingham City Foundation, and Blesst CIC, our young people and families came together in an uplifting and colourful celebration event.
The BCFC Fanzone came to life, and was full of smiles and laughter, as young people received recognition for their achievements and milestones throughout the summer.
The awards started with recognition for Blesst CIC young leaders who received recognition for their outstanding leadership roles during the summer programmes and events. James Thomas, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Children’s Trust took to the stage to congratulate them all. James said, “It was a real privilege for me to hand out the awards to the Youth Peer to Peer Support Workers, young people themselves aged 16 to 20 who had worked alongside staff to run all the activities. I heard about the difference that they had made with their skills and their commitment, and how it was easier for many children to relate to them than some of the older adult workers.”
The awards then continued with BCFC Foundation, Blesst, and Bfriends presenting all young people with a star medal and some specific special recognition trophies.
Bfriends Co-chair Lee Yale Helms took to the stage to congratulate young people and personally hand them medals.
Young people enjoyed having their photographs taken under the multicoloured archway that represents all the partnerships that have come together to make this summer possible.
Director of Help and Protection Lisa Harris was in attendance and spent time congratulating winners,
After the awards, young people enjoyed a range of activities and experiences including live animals, sporting stations, gaming stations, glitter tattoo and face painting, candy floss, ice-cream, and much more.
The awards were closed by Lisa Jamieson, Director of Corporate Parenting, who praised young leaders that have led during the summer and thanked everybody who has been a part of making this summer a success.
Collectively this summer, 140 places have been offered and taken by young people over a three-week period at the BCFC Community Hub and wider activities across the city. The BCFC Community Hub is a facility in partnership with Bfriends Charity and Birmingham Children’s Trust, offering a wide range of opportunities and experiences to young people known to the Trust and the local community.
In addition, a further 640 young people, adults, and families have accessed trips and experiences. Young people and adults will be continuing to access a range of programmes from the Community Hub during evenings and weekends from September onwards.
One of the participants, Mia, aged 10, said, “I joined a summer club on my own and instantly felt at home. I made friends with young people and the staff from Blesst. I went on a range of trips with staff and my new friends and was excited to win an award at the celebration for making friendships”.