People stories
Chyan
“I’ve now opened up my own dance company!”
Chyan started attending our Summer Scheme at 14, and went on to get involved with our dance sessions and other creative activities.
Dancing has helped her to grow in confidence, and in other ways too. “Dancing is a way that I can express myself”, she explains. “It helps me calm my temper, which I struggled with a lot as a teenager. It’s a way of me controlling my emotions.”
Chyan began running her own dance classes at our Youth Project when she was 19. She has been teaching ever since and the classes are really popular. “Teaching has forced me to come out of my comfort zone, and grow as a person,” she says. “It has taught me patience too but I enjoy it because I love dancing anyways!”
She reckons a lot of young people didn’t know they could dance before they came along to her classes and she loves to see them make progress: “The young people are more confident in themselves through the dance classes, and enthusiastic about finding out more about themselves.”
Chyan’s experience recently motivated her to start her own dance company, and she is now looking forward to her first showcase. “I want to grow my dance company and bring more opportunities to local young people,” she concludes. “I would love the kids to have opportunities to showcase their talents on a big platform!”
Aaron
Aaron works as Community Relations Ambassador at London City Airport and credits his experience at the youth club for helping him to prepare him for the world of work.
What made you decide to join the youth club?
I was involved for around four years when I was a teenager. Most of my peers at the time attended and so I found myself naturally drawn to it. I eventually become a volunteer at the centre as a way to pass time during the summer period.
What would you say you enjoyed most about it?
I enjoyed the fact that, as a young leader, I was still able to have fun with my peers and not feel like the responsibility I had was a burden. I also enjoyed having my expenses paid so I felt like I had some source of income. Although it was not a lot, it definitely instilled in me the pride of earning a living which has stayed with me ever since!
What difference would you say it made to your life?
Volunteering as a young leader was really my first stepping stone and experience of taking responsibility. It helped me to feel like a young adult at the time. It taught me, and made me realise, that I could be a role model to the younger generation and that we all had to make positive decisions for ourselves.
What would you say to other young people who might be considering this activity?
I would definitely encourage young people to get involved and, when the opportunity arises, consider volunteering to help make a difference in the community. Looking back at the experience I gained, and how it helped me gain the appetite to work, it was definitely worthwhile!
Behzad
“It makes my heart burst
with joy!”
Behzad moved to the UK with his wife and son last spring and didn’t know anyone in West Silvertown.
He first joined our ESOL (English as a second language) classes. He says these have helped him to gain confidence and meet a lot of new people.
Behzad says that it can be hard being in the UK with the cost of living. Recognising how the food pantry helps to ease the financial burdens for many families, he began volunteering there. “It made a positive impact for me, and I enjoyed taking on some responsibilities and working as a team”, he says. It’s also helped him to get to know people and he now enjoys working alongside his new fellow friends.
More recently, he and his family have begun to join in with other activities, such as going for picnics, trips around London, bring and share lunches, film club and table tennis.
“I’m really happy that I came across West Silvertown Foundation. I’m also glad I volunteered – and I hope to continue doing that. It’s such a good cause that makes my heart burst with joy!”
What our partners say
“Britannia Education Trust really values their partnership with WSF which enables us to bring additional support for members of our school
community. In particular, the addition of SEND coffee mornings and a summer holiday scheme for High Needs SEN children has been very much
appreciated. Working together to offer support for families in need - for example helping them with life admin paperwork, advice and food bank
vouchers - is also a huge plus for us!”
Linda-May Bingham
Executive Headteacher and CEO, Britannia Education Trust
“West Silvertown Foundation’s social impact reaches beyond Silvertown to the wider Royal Docks as it rapidly transforms through regeneration. WSF generously shares its extensive experience of supporting changing communities with the services they need, and evolves with our changing place. Their influence means they can convene and interact with different local stakeholders to work on joint solutions to local issues.”
Sarah Atkinson Community & Stakeholder Relations
Manager, Royal Docks Team
Jayne
Jayne, a local mother of three, has lived in the area for 13 years.
How did you get involved with the activities at Britannia Village Hall?
I got involved when I was new to the area and going through a hard time. I first came along to one of the parent and toddler groups with my daughter. I also got involved in the breakfast club as a way to meet new people in the community, and the next thing I knew I was involved in tapdancing and cookery classes, and today I’m on the leadership team of one of the local churches that meets in the hall. So I’ve done a bit of everything!
What do you enjoy most about the activities?
For me, the best thing was having other local mums to talk to. I could come as I am and just be myself, and it’s great to be able to share tips and bounce ideas off each other. My daughter is now 11, but many of the people I met through the under 5s programme are still good friends today.
What difference has getting involved made for you?
It’s been a real gamechanger, not just for my daughter through the children’s activities, but for me too. When I arrived in the area, I was having relationship problems and there was a lot going on in my life. Getting involved with the community here really helped me through it and I didn’t realise it would have such an impact on my life. I really don’t know what would have happened to me without it!
What would you say to others considering these activities?
If you want to meet good people, I would say come and join in, it might just change your life!
Fatima
“It’s an open, close-knit community where everybody feels welcome!”
Fatima moved to West Silvertown five years ago with her three children, who are now between 1½ and 7 years old.
She didn’t know anyone when she arrived, and started attending the baby and toddler Stay & Play sessions. “The staff were so friendly and literally took me under their wing!”, she says.
Lockdown was particularly hard she says, and a lack of social interaction meant her baby son was very quiet. However, going back to Stay & Play after lockdown helped him a lot, learning valuable communication skills and how to interact with others.
After getting involved in our under-5s programme, Fatima began to benefit from our services in other areas of her life too. “I’ve received invaluable support on everything from childcare to housing issues and special needs. All the staff are so approachable, kind and helpful.”
Fatima’s son has enjoyed attending our SEND sessions too. “It’s much calmer for him than other clubs and there are many sensory activities that have been thoughtfully laid out to keep him busy!”
“I also love attending the coffee morning. It’s a great, safe space for me to talk to other parents”, she explains. “The WSF team are also always ready to help anyone if they can – from providing valuable information to connecting us to other relevant authorities.”
We’ve loved getting to know Fatima and her family, and hope to continue supporting them in their life journey ahead!
