BACK TO NEWSNews ARCHIVE
YOU London Leadership Development Conference
The City of London School was the venue for this year’s YOU London Leadership Development Conference, which saw young people from the City of London School CCF, Fire Cadets, Girlguiding, RAF Air Cadets, Scouts, Sea Cadets, St John Ambulance Cadets and Volunteer Police Cadets participate in an activity-filled weekend designed to elevate and develop their leadership skills.
The national Chief Commissioner for St John Ambulance, Ann Cable MBE DL, got the weekend off to an inspiring start with an energising speech about what leadership means to her. One delegate said: “It was amazing to hear about the St John Chief Commissioner’s journey through cadets to where she is now” and another: “It was really powerful to hear about what makes someone a leader, and how we can change people’s lives.”
Activity stands were provided by the British Army, Royal Navy, Metropolitan Police Service, London Fire Brigade, City of London School CCF, RAF Air Cadets, St John Ambulance and RBSL. The delegates, all aged 14-18, participated in theoretical discussions about what makes a good leader, learnt fire hose and door entry drills, searched makeshift offices for contraband substances and arrested suspects, constructed wooden tanks whilst memorising instructions, drove remote controlled miniature tanks under timed conditions and received valuable first aid instruction, amongst other things.
Some of the feedback received so far includes:
I gained:
“The ability to make key decisions and take responsibility for them too.”
“Confidence and insight into how to be a better head cadet for my unit.”
“I have definitely developed lots of new skills and leaderships skills that I can take back to my unit. I have also gained lots of new friends from my group and within the VPC.”
“I definitely gained more confidence, and some new friends who I’m sure I will keep in contact with! I feel like I gained so many great experiences from this, and a new respect for each of the youth groups after seeing what they do.”
Other delegates wrote:
“I enjoyed hearing the speakers talk about how young people have an impact on the future. It makes me feel that I am heard and welcome!!”
“If I could, I would 100% do it again it was amazing. The stands were great, the speakers were amazing. Probably one of the top weekends for me.”
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, and nine of his thirty two Representative Deputy Lieutenants (one for each London Borough), visited the conference on the Saturday afternoon. Addressing the young people, the Lord-Lieutenant said: “Last week’s tragic events in Croydon exposed the harsh reality faced by some of our youth today. This conference highlights everything that is good about the capital’s young people. I have been massively impressed by everyone that I have spoken with and am delighted that you are tomorrow’s leaders.”
All of the images from the weekend can be viewed at YOU London Leadership Development Conference 2023.
