A special event was held to celebrate the achievements of 18 young people who completed a Summer Jobs Programme, a collaborative initiative between Youth League UK, UK Youth, and Barking and Dagenham Council. This year, the programme broke new ground by embedding youth workers within council services, enabling participants to play a central role in outreach, service design, and youth-led projects.
Over the course of the programme, participants worked on a range of initiatives, from supporting community engagement to co-designing services that better meet the needs of young people. Their contributions have left a lasting legacy, with several youth-led projects set to continue beyond the summer.
The celebration event featured performances, personal reflections, and the awarding of certificates. Families, community partners, and council representatives attended to show their support and appreciation.
The Summer Jobs Programme is designed to empower young people by providing meaningful work experience and a platform to influence local services. The collaboration with Youth League UK and UK Youth has ensured the programme remains youth-led, responsive, and impactful.
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement said: “Attending the event and spending time with these remarkable young people was a real highlight for me. The enthusiasm and positive feedback they shared about their experiences in the Summer Jobs Programme shows just how important it is to invest in youth-led opportunities. I left the evening feeling inspired and hopeful for the future. Congratulations and well done to our fantastic young people.”