Pop star and presenter Jamelia joined a sports and mentoring programme for unemployed young women at Kennington Park on July 4, writes Joshua Mellor…
The mother of four met twelve recent graduates from the Street Elite project that helps young mums from Brixton to take back control of their lives.
The programme is designed to build confidence and prepare mothers for the world of work through nine months of personal training, mentoring and group activities.
Jamelia said: “Motherhood can be tough – and when you’re a young black woman, getting the right support can be even harder. Street Elite is empowering mothers and giving them the tools they need to achieve their potential.
“It’s refreshing to see a course that focuses on practical life skills and building self-esteem. By mentoring women in this safe, inclusive environment, Street Elite is helping them to realise what we are capable of and helping them to feel in control of their futures.”
Four hundred unemployed young Londoners have already completed a Street Elite course, with 84 per cent of those who complete the programme successfully moving into education or employment.
Fifteen Street Elite graduates have even been employed directly by Berkeley Group.
The Berkeley Foundation funds the programme which is run by The Change Foundation and supported by Lambeth Council.
Jessie, a 2018/19 graduate said: “I feel like the programme was very inspiring, it’s one of the best ways to motivate a young person encountering social problems.
“What I found particularly great was the fact that Street Elite understood that young women are disadvantaged in the workplace, especially when they have children due to the difficulty arranging childcare.”