Mandela8 launches course to help young people avoid trouble and “take off”

Liverpool charity Mandela8 is launching its next course to help young people stay on track – and out of trouble.

Mandela8's 12-week programme will take place at the Everyman Theatre from next month and will support children from some of the city's poorest communities who are vulnerable and at risk of becoming involved in or exploited for discrimination.

Sonia Bassey MBE, trustee and chair of the Toxteth-based organisation, said:

“We have seen in recent weeks how urgently this is needed.”

“It's called Roots and Wings because when I was growing up we had solid foundations and a good education and knew right from wrong. Unfortunately, some people don't have those opportunities in the current climate.

“But if you give them the right values, a family environment and a sense of belonging to a community, if they are ready to spread their wings, they can fly as far as they want.

“And when their wings are clipped and they fall by the wayside, they have the resilience to get back up and start again. That's what society is lacking at the moment.”

The charity Mandela8 celebrated its 10th anniversary.^th anniversary last year, was founded with the mission to make the world a better place.

Their goals include educating young people, ensuring social justice and human rights, and changing mindsets to bring people together.”

The Roots and Wings course offers training in acting, martial arts and personal development, as well as numerous other learning opportunities and certified accreditations.

And it's free for 11- to 16-year-olds referred by schools, youth services, parents and guardians, the justice system, etc.

Sonia explains:

“We are trying to help young people who have probably struggled a lot over the past few years because of lockdowns and help them to have more stable lives at home, at school and in their community.

“What is special about our program is that it is not associated with any school, community or youth facility. It is independent and is carried out in a neutral location outside of school hours for those who want to see a difference and make a change in their lives.

“We ask parents to bring and pick up their children every week so that they arrive and return home safely, but also so that parents can get involved in different ways.”

“We also offer youth activities outside of program sessions to engage their parents in a more positive and productive relationship.”

Sonia emphasises that the course helps people to become more confident and assertive, to learn to say “no” in certain situations and to become more confident in themselves, their achievements and their abilities.

Sonia added:

“It makes them more resilient to certain situations. It raises their awareness of the influences around them, such as drugs, exploitation and similar situations, and it also gives them a range of AQA qualifications that their peers don't yet have when they go back to school.”

The course is designed to make it easier for young people who are on the verge of exclusion to return to mainstream education and to enable them to repair damaged relationships.

“We're trying to help young people get on the right track, stay out of trouble and find a new path. It's really important that we have the mechanisms in place to support young people.”

Mandela8 will run the course for 15 people starting September 16th and is looking for a sponsor or donations to enable two courses to be run per year.

“We have secured a programme for three years but would like to do two. Unfortunately we have no support from the council and have been very lucky to receive funding from the Plus Dane Group, Football for Change, Penny Lane Builders Ltd. and the Everyman and Playhouse.

“Given the urgency of this type of support for young people, we would love to hear from anyone who can help us offer young people a sustainable intervention that invests in them and gives them the opportunity to move on.”

To support Mandela8 and Roots and Wings, go to [email protected].

Anyone interested in the program or would like to refer someone can call Kevin Stuart on 07956 695957 or email [email protected].

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