London,
03
September
2009
|
23:00
Europe/London

Hackney Young Women’s Wellbeing Weekender

Free self-defence classes, drama and poetry workshops, and T-shirt and poster design projects, are some of the events available to young women across Hackney during an exciting weekend of activities in September.

Hackney Youth Service and Young Women’s Group (YWG) will be holding their next Young Women’s Wellbeing Weekender on 11-13 September at various locations across the borough. The event is designed to bring together young women aged 13-19, providing advice and information to raise awareness about getting fit, staying healthy and having fun in Hackney.

Councillor Rita Krishna, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: "Our young people are talented and resourceful and deserve the very best services that help make Hackney a great place to grow up. The events for young women are a testament to the commitment of the Youth Service, in partnership with community groups, to provide opportunities and activities for all young people in the borough and I’d encourage everyone to come along and get involved.”

All the events are free, for young women-only, and will be taking place at the following venues:

Friday 11th Sept - 3.30-7pm (for 13-19 year-olds)
Fellows Court Youth Project, Community Centre, Weymouth Terrace, E2 8LR

Saturday 12th Sept – 2-6pm (for age 16+)
Ocean Venue 3, 270 Mare St, E8 1HE

Sunday 13th Sept – 4-7pm (for 13 to 19 year-olds)
Lordship South Youth Project, Community Hall, 12 Lordship Grove, N16 0QA

Young women from across Hackney are welcome to take part in the wide range of activities on offer.

Nicolette Miller, aged 17, found out about YWG after attending the last young women’s event, which motivated her to join the Group. “The event ‘Be the best that you can be’ held by the young women’s group (YWG) in June was the first youth event I attended,” she said. “There were a variety of activities including yoga, belly dancing, Wii Fit, but my favourite was the massage.

“What interested me the most was the fact that the event was based on promoting individuals’ futures. There were special guest speakers, including Michelle Brown (a member of England’s National Basketball team) who told an inspirational story about the barriers she had to over come to get where she is today. I was really impressed by the other speakers too, simply because they were portraying the fact that no matter who you are or where you live, anyone and everyone can be whatever they want to be as long as they put in the effort that’s needed.

“At the end, when it was announced that a few young women from Hackney had helped plan the event, it amazed me to see that these young women found a way to make their voices heard. So I decided to join the youth group with a couple of my friends. Being in the group, I’ve realised that the group isn’t just about putting your views across or planning events, it’s about a group that echoes the young voices of Hackney, and encourages all young women in Hackney to get involved, be heard and make a difference.”

For more information about the Weekender event or to find out how young women can join YWG, contact: Ciara McDonnell, Young Women’s Worker, Hackney Council, Ciara.mcdonnell@hackney.gov.uk or 07891 514304.