Enfield’s Summer University is back with a difference, offering the opportunity for hundreds of young people to access free on-line or socially distanced face-to-face courses.
Enfield Council and a team of Young Leaders have put together a broad range of courses, that have been adapted as a result of the national public health crisis.
The courses will help young people from Enfield aged 11-19 years try something different, develop new skills and stay occupied during the summer months.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Rick Jewell said: “We acknowledge it has been a really tough time for young people with no school, college, sports events and interactive activities due to the restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. We know that for many, life has been pretty dull!
“However, we have put together a brilliant range of courses that will not only relieve some of the boredom but will also help young people acquire new skills, increase their confidence and discover talents they never knew they had.”
The courses are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens from Monday 22 June at www.enfield.gov.uk/youth . The courses run for six weeks. Demand is expected to be very high, so you are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. Some of the highlights include:
- First Aid
- Martial arts
- Cookery
- Animation
- Music production and song writing
- Drumming
- How to become a CEO
- And much more
As well as vocational and skills courses, the University also aims to help young people understand the importance of looking after their physical and mental health and promotes responsible behaviours during the long weeks of summer.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Cohesion, Cllr Nneka Keazor, said: “The courses on offer aim to increase social integration, improve job prospects and help young people make good life decisions. Enfield has the fourth largest youth population in London and more children affected by poverty than any other London borough. To compound this, many young people will have faced months without schooling and friends as a result of the coronavirus. We hope the courses will help young people feel good about themselves and help them realise what they can achieve.”
The Summer University has been made possible following the kind participation of local businesses, charities and organisations. In addition, the Mayor of London awarded £1.3 million to the Inspiring Young Enfield project, a three-year initiative spearheaded by Enfield Council to support 20 community groups who provide support to thousands of young people in the borough, many from Enfield’s most deprived areas. Several of these community groups will be leading Summer University courses.
Enfield Council would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Young Leaders who have helped put the Summer University programme together. They are: Mia, Kazeem, Viola, Emmanuelle, Vanshi, Ifeoluwa, Vybe, Sarafina, O’Dane, Samara, Jahliya, Melody, Chi Chi, Raianna, Joshua, Rory and Megan.