News

New Youth Club set to open in Walkern

Walkern Sports and Community Centre has been revitalised by dedicated group of volunteers whose sprits were not dampen when investment funding was swallowed up by fixing the roof. They organised various fundraising events in order to raise the money to buy the materials needed to complete the refurbishment.  Brian Brent from Walkern Sports and Community Centre said that “the whole village pulled together and volunteered up to £60,000 worth of volunteering hours in order to complete necessary work to get the centre up and running.”  All in all the building work will have taken over two years to complete and the centre has been closed for the majority of that time. As a result people within the village are determined not to let the centre go to waste and have decided to open a Youth Club at the centre.

Adult volunteers which have worked on the refurbishment have now set up Walkern Sports and Community Centre Youth Club. They have researched interest levels from young people in Walkern and the surrounding villages as well as area of Stevenage. The response from the young people they spoke to has been extremely positive and have already managed to set up a Youth Committee for the club. These young people are keen to help get their youth club open as soon as possible and are currently applying for funding so they can purchase equipment for the club. They have big plans for the future of the club with a large multi-sports court and skate park on their wish list

Walkern Sports and Community Centre Youth Club is due to be open in early June 2010 for young people between 8-17 years old.

If you would interested in finding out more information about the Youth Club please contact Sam Rose (sam@pro-actionherts.org). 

Funding success helps Watford Boxing Club start again!

Watford boxing club was established in 2002 and attracted a large number of young people. Unfortunately the boxing club was hit by a devastating fire.   The fire saw most of the equipment damaged or destroyed leaving the training room as a shell.  Furthermore young people who attend the club were left with nowhere to go.    

After much hard work the club was re-opened and became a member of Pro-Action.  Both organisations worked together to submit a bid to the Youth Opportunity Fund.  The boxing club was awarded £10,895 and has now been transformed with new changing facilities, including toilets and showers, new flooring throughout the building, a new boiler, a new roof and new electrics. The club also put the money towards buying new kits for members.

In addition Pro-Action supported the development of the boxing clubs policies and procedures as well as providing access to training to develop the coaches’ skill base. 

Tony Lloyd, a volunteer since 2002, commented ‘Prior to Pro-Action’s involvement with the club no-one took an interest in what we were doing and we were not aware of what was available to us for funding and opportunities to develop – we are very grateful for Pro-Action’s support’

The club now has a lively atmosphere and attracts over 45 young people.  Sessions run on a Monday, Wednesday and Sunday evening for three hours, as well as some of the members having the opportunity to attend competitions each year, which take place at the weekends.

For further information about Watford Boxing Club please contact nicole@pro-actionherts.org

7th December 09

Midnight Ice Skating Success!

On Friday 4^th December, over 310 young people from across Hertfordshire attended ‘Midnight Night Ice Skating’ at Alexandra Palace in London.  Organised by Pro-Action the event allows young people to Ice Skate together from 12am-4am in a lively disco environment.

Club leaders also put on their skates to join their young people in the ice rink fun. Robert Brown, St Albans Youth Connexion, commented ‘This has been a fantastic event for young people. Some young people did not know how to ice skate at the beginning of the night, this event has provided them the opportunity to learn and increase their confidence! 

Midnight Ice Skating was a county activity for the member clubs/projects and groups of Pro-Action.  A number of voluntary youth groups were supported with transport costs organised by Pro-Action.  Nicole Williamson, Pro-Action District Co-ordinator commented ‘It was great to see some many young people from across Hertfordshire. We aim to support our members to attend Pro-Action events, allowing Hertfordshire’s young people experience positive activities’

For more information about forthcoming events please see above dates.  

1st December 09

Pro-Action Celebrates Young People’s Achievement!

On Saturday 28^th November, Pro-Action hosted its first Awards Ceremony celebrating the achievements of young people from across Hertfordshire. Over a 175 awards were presented for Youth Work Training, Leadership, Sports, Dance, and Young Peoples Tutor training courses.

The event was organised and hosted by young people and supported by the Pro-Action team.  Parents, careers and young people attended the ‘Oscar’ style ceremony, dressed in black ties and glamorous dresses. As well as presenting awards the event showcased young people’s talents such as dance and media.

Jane Pitman, Executive Member for Children's Services, commented 'It was really delightful to attend this event which recognised the achievements of so many young people.  It is always enormously encouraging to hear about the contribution young people are making on a voluntary basis to their local communities across the county.  I am particularly pleased that it also demonstrates that Hertfordshire County Council's financial support to Pro-Action and the youth voluntary sector is having a significant impact'.    

For more information about Pro-Action and Young People’s Training please click on the link Young People's Training

19th November 09

Pro-Action Nominee wins National ‘Thank You’ Award!

On Thursday 19th November, Lorraine Cooke, from St Johns Youth Club, Hatfield, was awardedthe National Council For Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS) 'Thank You' Award. NCVYS is the independent voice of the voluntary youth sector in England.  Pro-Action nominated Lorraine for the 'Than You' award as it recognises the hard work, creativity, inspiration and determination of individual volunteers all in the interest of young people.

Lorraine, shown second from left, is the heart and inspiration behind the volunteering work at St Johns Youth Club.  She volunteers weekly providing much needed youth provision for the local young people aged 8-11 years. Lorraine leads a group of 20 volunteers from the community in delivering a variety or sports, crafts, social and disco sessions.  St Johns Youth Club attracts between 80 – 110 young peopleattending each week, building relationships with the local families as well support of her volunteer team. 

Lorraine has made a key and marked difference to the lives of young people and dedicating hundreds of hours to developing the quality of provision and ensuring it is a safe and stimulating environment, but she also encourages local young people to come on board as volunteers. Her aim is to develop their self-esteem and provide them with an experience which will support them in later life.  Lorraine commented I’m quite overwhelmed, it’s lovely to be recognised.  It’s not just me, I couldn’t do it without my team and the support from the local community and Pro-Action!’  

Lorraine is also pursuing an idea to develop the club further, opening the club on another night and developing a new volunteer team.  For more information about Pro-Action support please click on Membership Benefits.

9th November 09

Highland Olympics!   

                                                                                      
Saturday the 7th of November saw Hertfordshire Sports Village in Hatfield host Pro-Action’s Highland Olympics! Over a 100 young people and some energetic club leaders from youth clubs across Hertfordshire were involved in activities including Lochness Surfing, Hurling the Haggis and Highland Relays!

The event was organised and run by young volunteers who have attended Pro-Action Leadership and Event Management courses, with support from the Pro-Action team. The day brought together a range of young people of all abilities and backgrounds aged 12 to 18 which all participated in an exemplary manor and encouraged fair play.

Winners 12- 15 years                        Winners 15-18 years                                                                                                  
1st  Faith Movers – Stevenage           1st   Ummah UK Boys - St Albans
2nd Ummah UK - St Albans               2nd  YWT - Hatfield       
3rd  Hope Junction - Stevenage         3rd  Salvation Fellowship - Stevenage   

           
Winners received £75 for their clubs and a trophy was also awarded to Girls Rule (Hemel Initiative Youth Action) from Hemel Hempstead for best sportsmanship.   Aayesha Shaikh from Ummah UK commented ‘This is the second Pro-Action event my youth group have attended. They had a fab time and we're all looking forward to the next! The volunteers were all really helpful, and made sure we were having a great time, thank you!

For more information about Pro-Action events please see above dates. 

2nd November 09

Rurban Project Success!

Pro-Action’s innovative partnership working with Hertfordshire Sports Partnership and Child UK has continued to produce successful results for the ‘RURBAN’ project.

Rurban aims to build upon the current programme of activities run by Youth Clubs, increasing young people’s confidence and creativity through the delivery of multi-sport sessions and art activities. Sessions are of equal quality whether in rural or urban areas, taking away the barrier of location and inequality of provision often suffered by rural or deprived areas.

Qualified coaches visit Pro-Action members for 1- 2 hours a week over an 8 week period and deliver sessions unique to each club designed to engage everyone, as well as using space and environments productively.  The approach is ‘fun first’ and a combination of this ethos and strong word of mouth promotion has lead to 90% retention rates in some areas and a waiting list of 48 clubs for next year.  The last tranche included 204 young people over 10 projects completing the programme.  Pro-Action members are also provided with an equipment filled sports bag and a Sports and Activities pack providing club leaders who are not necessarily sports qualified with the resources to introduce young people to sport and personal development.  Herts Sports Partnership have agreed to expand the programme due to its success and have funded another 7 groups this term, bringing the total groups benefiting from this free programme to 17. 

If you would like your club to be considered for the Rurban Project please contact your District Co-ordinator.

26th October 09

5-A-Side County Round

On Saturday 24^th October Pro-Action kicked of the national Clubs for Young People 5-A-Side Football tournament.  The annual event was held at Hatfield Sports Village and saw 15 teams take part in the fierce competition.  Congratulations to everyone who took part. 

The winners and runners up in each age category

Under

16 – First - Swan Youth Project              Runners Up - Watford Sports Development

14 – First - Swan Youth Project B          Runner  Up - Swan Youth Project A

12 – First – Ummah UK                         Runners Up - Get It 2gether

Sam Rose, tournament organiser commented ‘The day was a great success; this year saw bigger range of Pro-Action members entering the tournament.  Each team played competitively and to a high standard.  Well done to all who took part’ 

These teams will now progress and represent Hertfordshire in the central area finals being held on Saturday 14^th November in Derby. We will keep you posted with their progression!

Thursday 22 October 09

Pro-Action Volunteer wins National Boom! Award

Pro-Action Youth Volunteer, Amar Sejpal, won the national ‘Outstanding Volunteering’ award for his exceptional contribution to the Boom! project.  The awards, which took place at the Apple Store, Regent Street in London brought together more then 50 nominated young volunteers from across England. 

The Boom! project enables young people to raise issues which are important to them through the use of creative film making.  Clubs for Young People in partnership with MTV, TomTom nation and ‘v’ have made Boom! possible and accessible for young volunteers by training and providing clubs with film-making equipment.

Amar Sejpal, from Potters Bar, won the ‘Outstanding Volunteering’ award for his extraordinary enthusiasm for Boom! The judges were impressed by his film-making ideas and his contribution to support and share his Boom! experiences with other young people at training events across Hertfordshire.  The judges recognise Amar to be a key advocate for Boom! Amar commented ‘I can’t believe I have won, this is such an achievement for me, it was like combining two passions – being like Spielberg and volunteering for Pro-Action.  I’m so proud!’   Amar was presented his award by Konnie Huq, TV-presenter and Nick Ede, fashion expert, who both hosted the night. 

Hardeep Liddar, Pro-Action District Co-ordinator commented ‘It was a fantastic night, both in terms of seeing the quality of work young volunteers are offering and seeing Amar being rewarded for his volunteering efforts to support Boom! Pro-Action is very proud to have Amar as a volunteer’

Well done Amar for winning the ‘Outstanding Volunteering’ Award!  For more information about the Boom! project please visit

www.boomnation.net

Archive

Pro-Action Funding Newsletter Jan 10

Pro-Action Vetting & Barring Newsletter Sept 09

Pro-Action Newsletter April 09

Pro-Action Newsletter Jan 09

Pro-Action Herts Activities Centre Map