Alex earns his bike

pictured here is Alex, a year 8 pupil from Kelmscott School and the latest member of the S7 ACE Community Champions Programme.

The CC Programme takes participants through a journey from engagement to volunteering and then paid employment, not just with Us but with partners organisations including teaching, Police, Hackney Housing and more.

Alex began his journey when he turned up to a Sunday session and was the only over 11 that was there. Azi, former Kelmscott School Head Boy, encouraged Alex to help out. Since, Alex has supported Marcelo with the Tennis project and supports the Tuesday engagement programme for 4-11 year olds.

Alex represents the S7 Academy of Community Excellence, a Bulgarian young man, from our vibrant and diverse local area. Alex, like his Bulgarian compatriots, Geri and Halime as well as our Lithuanian stars Agne and Ausrine highlight the great addition these communities have been to our Nation.

A key part of our scheme is when a young person or young adult does 30-40 hours of volunteering we purchase a bike for them as a reward. Our partners A&S Cycles in Clapton, through owner Shameem Versamia offers us great in-kind and discounted support. The bike is then used for volunteering/work and also engaging in our cycling programmes.

Mubarakeh (well done) Alex and the best is yet to come.