Speech packs a punch

One of Britain’s most successful sportsmen inspired youngsters from across the North West at a Junior Wardens Day in Bury this week.

Describing how he used sport to overcome social and cultural adversity to achieve success, five times world karate champion and Executive Chair of the Youth Charter Geoff Thompson MBE gave a motivational speech promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

The event brought 60 children together from junior warden schemes from Riverside, Willow Park Housing Trust, Northwards Housing, Stronger Together in Warrington, and Weaver Vale Housing Association.

Organised by Riverside and Willow Park, the day saw children from each scheme give a presentation about their experiences as a junior warden.

Riverside’s Community Initiatives Officer Sharon Thomas said: “The event was a celebration of the fantastic work the community wardens, youth coordinators and junior wardens have done over the last year. It was also a chance for the different schemes to get to know each other and share ideas and experiences.”

“In addition, it was an opportunity to share best practice with other housing associations and local authorities. A further five organisations attended to find out about our warden schemes.”

Sara Harris from Willow Park added: “It was interesting how the different organisations each run their schemes slightly differently but all centre around the same core values. The day was really useful and inspiring, and we shared loads of ideas and experiences. We will definitely meet up again in the future to discuss how we can develop our junior warden schemes further.”

The event was held at Burrs Activity Centre in Bury, which gave the children a chance to try new activities including kayaking, rock climbing and orienteering.

Following the event, the children are invited to take part in a memories competition by submitting their memories of the day in the format of their choice whether that’s a written piece, picture, photograph, poem, song or DVD. The submissions will be put on a website to make up a virtual exhibition.