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YOU London Leadership Development Weekend
The annual YOU London Leadership Development Weekend saw over 100 participants each day from 11 different organisations (Army Cadet Force, Boys’ Brigade, Fire Cadets, Girlguiding, Girls’ Brigade, RAF Air Cadets, Scouts, Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance Cadets, Trinity School CCF and Volunteer Police Cadets) take part in an inspiring weekend of speakers and practical activities designed to strengthen the delegates’ leadership, communication and teamwork skills.
This year, the event was hosted by Trinity School in Croydon over the weekend of 1-2 November. The challenges over 2 days ranged from a trek cart slalom race, creatively bridging across platforms, blindfold and memory tests, building a vertical structure, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) including how to use a defibrillator, conducting a mock forensic search, and searching for an indeterminate number of casualties in a smoke filled room with zero visibility. The stand activities were delivered by the Metropolitan Police Service Volunteer Police Cadets, London Fire Brigade Fire Cadets, Army Engagement tea, Royal Navy Attract Team, St John Ambulance, Scouts and Trinity School CCF.
Conference speakers shared valuable lessons on personal growth and resilience. Hubert Mensah, Firefighter, First Aid Trainer and former Police Cadet, spoke about the importance of resilience and building strong support networks. Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, offered an uplifting message about positivity and maintaining perspective. Mark Dean, Guinness World Record holder and former Nigerian Rugby Manager, reminded the delegates not to define themselves solely by our careers, but to keep an open mind to future possibilities.
A number of visitors, including Natasha Irons MP, and the civic and elected Mayors of Croydon, visited the event to witness the activities and chat to the young people between tasks. All those who visited said they were hugely impressed by the event and by the energy and enthusiasm of the participants.
A big thank you to the dozens of adult volunteers who supported the weekend – either by delivering activities or speeches or simply being on site to accompany the young people.
One participant wrote: “working alongside cadets from different youth groups was an amazing experience that encouraged collaboration and mutual respect” and another, “I definitely improved my leadership and communication skills.”
You can view images from the weekend here: YOU London Leadership Development Weekend photographs
