The Leaders of Tomorrow: CONEL Students Complete Youth Leadership Course

Students celebrate new skills, social action and success after completing a new Youth Leadership Course organised by the Berkeley Foundation.

Twenty-eight budding young leaders studying ESOL at The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) recently took part in a new Youth Leadership Programme. Students celebrated the successful completion of the inaugural course organised by the Berkeley Foundation in partnership with Groundwork London at a graduation event hosted by West London College on 28 September 2023.

The 12-week Youth Leadership Programme consisted of weekly leadership skills workshops, sessions on social action planning and a leadership residential. The course was designed to raise awareness on environmental issues, the green agenda and sustainability and also covered areas such as project planning, problem-solving and relationship building.

Students from CONEL were involved in a diverse range of activities that put their new-found knowledge and skills to use, and they presented informative and innovative pitch presentations to acquire funding for their social action projects. Activities ranged from an informative TikTok video to improving spaces within the college by installing plants. 

The Chair of the Berkeley Foundation and CEO of Berkeley Group, Rob Perrins, said: “This new initiative with Groundwork London shows how empowering young people can make a real difference to places and communities. The innovation and social action projects we have seen are inspiring, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for these young people.”

The course helped participants apply their new-found skills to local green spaces, using social action to improve the world around them. As well as enhancing employability and building confidence, the course encouraged participants to engage with nature. The Youth Leadership Programme, which is in its first year, included over 70 young people from Hammersmith, Fulham and North East London. ESOL students from the Tottenham Centre received certificates in recognition of their achievements during the programme.

Find out more about our ESOL courses across our colleges here.

Share!