Kicking it all off!
As Lucas the Beatboxer dropped his last vocal beat on stage, the curtain closed on The Kick Off 2011.
Over 200 young people descended upon Villa Park last Friday to celebrate the start of Envision’s 6th year working in schools and colleges across Birmingham, with the current Lord Mayor opening proceedings.
The day was split into two sections, with around 70 young people and adults taking part in the ‘Birmingham is..?’ debate, quizzing influential panellists on the future of Birmingham and what role young people will play in this.
Findings from the debate told an interesting story of young people’s pride in being from the area, a feeling that more needs to be done to tackle youth unemployment and an embrace of the idea of a youth mayor for the city.
Whilst the debate was in full flow downstairs, over 150 students were taking part in workshops scattered around the venue, aimed at developing a range of skills and broadening their knowledge on issues such as drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness and global poverty.
Sessions on creative campaigning, t-shirt design and drama added to the vibrancy and energy of the event as students swapped ideas about their own Envision projects, made contacts with adult guests and enjoyed a dazzling performance from Tru Street Dance.
Envision student Ismail Mustafa, who spoke at the debate said: “This is the first time I have been properly consulted on how I feel about the city I live in. Before Envision, I always had to look for my own ways to make a difference and meet decision-makers, so having an opportunity like this is amazing. It has been an inspiring day.”
A massive thanks to all the students who attended helping to create such an incredible buzz, we look forward to your projects unfolding over the coming months!
