The council’s youth service team is offering a busy programme of free activities for youngsters through the rest of October.
Ranging from football sessions for different ages to online fitness exercise the programme has been put together with the health and safety of youngsters in this time of Covid-19 firmly in mind.
Besides the action-packed nature of the outdoor football and a Young Croydon Got Talent event, there will also be workshops on goal setting and stress management while budding entrepreneurs will have their own online five-day festival running from Monday, 26 October to Friday, 30 October.
Called Turn Passion to Profit it will feature advice and Q&As with experts in their fields while the themed sessions include Why and How to Start a Business? And The Business of Social Media.
Ishmael Akorley, Young Croydon’s youth service worker, helped arrange the entrepreneurship festival. He said, “We’ve done one-day events but nothing like this before and youngsters can sign up for one day, two days or all five. Whenever we’ve done anything about entrepreneurs in the past we’ve always had some of the highest numbers attend so it’s definitely something that’s popular among young people.
“Croydon has some fantastic entrepreneurs, such as the young vegan chef Omari McQueen, and in these uncertain times it’s a great thing to be self-sufficient. We’ll be trying to give youngsters the skills set to help them with what’s ahead.”
In celebration of Black History Month an event called Heroes, Sheroes and Nonos takes place on Wednesday, 21 October and Wednesday, 28 October, while “Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown” is an event exploring Black History through the prism of mental health taking place on Wednesday, 28 October.
Other events planned include an online workshop on how to use sign language on 22 October and the chance to virtually join deputy young mayor Shea Williams as she interviews young author Faridah Abike-Lyimide on 26 October.
“Once again Young Croydon has excelled itself. There are so many opportunities for young people to get involved this half-term and we hope that many will take part in the activities on offer as they are all aimed at supporting young people to have fun and grow towards their futures.
“As a borough we have always placed youngsters at the forefront of what we do and I’m proud that all of these great-sounding activities are free and therefore accessible to all.”
Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning
To find out more and to book activities visit www.youngcroydon.org.uk