Students at City of Westminster College were this week encouraged to join a leadership programme for young people, which includes becoming part of Run Dem Crew Youngers running club. The event launch on 4th November was well attended by students who were interested in signing up for the youth empowerment programme.

Ellie Wood, Director for Bring the Change said, “I quit my job with England Athletics to do the Run Dem Crew Youngers programme full time with my business Bring the Change. Last year we focused on female empowerment, but when we were going out to different schools and Colleges, all of the boys who saw the event were disappointed because they wanted to get involved. I’ve devised a leadership programme which brings in a creative aspect alongside the running that we do. We help to open young people’s minds to things outside their education, connections they can make and how to be positive and put that positive thought into action. We open the floor to them so they can ask us about finance, their future, potential career paths and then we set some creative tasks.”

“Those who attend are asked to record their journey in any way they want so that they’re physical journey also then becomes a personal one that they can document. The launch at CWC was inspiring and when the students are able to see the real life stories of young people who are just like them, it begins to make sense to them and they start to think about getting involved. We meet every Wednesday at 5pm in the Paddington Green reception and go for a run – it’s open to all students, so anyone can come along and join in.”