Stars gather to celebrate Hamara’s success
Leeds City Varieties was packed to the rafters last week as the Child Friendly Leeds (CFL) Awards made a triumphant return to the city.
Organised by young people, the awards celebrate some of the people, places and organisations helping to make Leeds a child-friendly city.
Amongst this year’s winners was the Hamara Centre.
Based in south Leeds, the group has been celebrating the fantastic success of their Supplementary School project after the school was bestowed with the CLF Supporting Schools Award.
Hamara’s youth team project was established in 1997, setting up as a response to the demands and concerns from parents, academics and community leaders within the South Leeds community.
Designed to address the problem of children underachieving in the British state schools by identifying barriers that prevent young people from engaging in and enjoying learning, the project’s primary aim is to raise the standard of education in the community.
They do this by creating a progressive, caring and high quality-learning environment for all their students.
Hamara Supplementary School takes place on a Saturday and supports children and young people to achieve good grades in maths, English and science, as well as running a homework club. They work very closely with and make a difference in the local community.
One of the many supporting statements for Hamara said: “[Hamara is] not only a school but a fabulous organisation for children.
“They have several youth clubs such as football with Leeds United, Karate, Roller Skating sessions, evening football, cricket tournaments and much more.
“Their holiday play scheme attracts children of all ages and backgrounds organising trips, fun days out and brings arts and culture to the community.
“I think it really is a great place for children and young people and with the community café, its doors are always open to young people and new ideas.
“Many children living in the local area are from BME and therefore some have complex issues and Hamara works with them to provide a safe environment with a range of staff supporting their every need. Children also have access to jobs and support with education, work and training.”
The prestigious awards ceremony was organised by a group of eight young people who made up ‘The CFL Crew’.
The ‘crew’ – some as young as twelve, decided on a colourful carnival theme for the ceremony which was watched by an audience of nearly 400 people including city leaders and VIP guests.
Cllr Lucinda Yeadon, executive member responsible for children and families said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners, those shortlisted and all the nominees – they are shining examples of what it really means to be child friendly.”
