Alleyn’s partnered with YOU London this weekend for an event designed to inspire leadership in young people between 15 and 17, encouraging them to “be all they can be”.
The leadership development weekend saw 11 uniformed youth groups and a number of high-ranking VIPs, flock to Alleyn’s for two days of inspiring speakers, practical challenges and theoretical discussion.
Military, industry, and service guest speakers, included Lib Peck, Director of the Mayor of London’s newly established Violence Reduction Unit, the Lord Lieutenant of London Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, Endurance athlete Major (Retd) Sally Orange and Chris Grant OBE (Tyson’s 1980), Chair of both the British Basketball Federation, English Football’s Integrated Coaching Board and a member of the Financial Services Culture Board.
The challenges, run by the Met Police, Fire Brigade, St John’s Ambulance, Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Alleyn’s CCF and Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land included the execution of a search warrant, hose work and engine drills, first aid triage, a gun run, collaborative flight simulation, command tasks, virtual reality battle drills, and a STEM challenge.
Major Benest, Alleyn’s CCF Contingent Commander (and Contingent Commander of the Year, 2020) was delighted with how well the weekend had shaped up:
“It was an absolute pleasure to host the enthusiastic and able young people of the Greater London uniformed community. I believe the opportunities to offer hands-on leadership experience, coupled with inspirational talks, is vital to inspire and upskill the next generation. I am extremely proud of the staff, cadets and the wider Alleyn’s team for making this weekend possible. I hope that some of the outstanding learning experiences, alongside a true sense of community cohesion, will resonate far beyond those who participated.”