This summer, more than 700 school children took part in action-packed Street Elite festivals - epic sports days powered by teamwork, youth sports leaders and the dedication of Street Elite graduates. The events were delivered by The Change Foundation and proudly supported by the Berkeley Foundation.
From zorbing in inflatable bubbles to flag football, smoothie-making by pedal power, and even some peaceful moments with yoga, there was something for every kind of mover and shaker.
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Birmingham kicked things off at the world-class Alexander Stadium, where BBC West Midlands gave the festival a brilliant shoutout on air.
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Next up, The Green Quarter in Ealing played host once again. Highlights included Ealing’s Mayor testing out brand-new paddle courts and MP Deirdre Costigan inspiring the crowd with her speech.
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Then it was over to Lambeth, where the sun shone on a joyful day at Henry Fawcett School. The festival doubled as their sports day - complete with cheering parents joining in on the final races. MP Florence Eshalomi even stepped away from her Parliament schedule to personally applaud the children and young people’s achievements.
Beyond the fun, these festivals mark a major milestone: the graduation of 130 young people from the Street Elite programme. With a bold target to get 75% of them into work or further education, the real impact is just beginning.
Street Elite in Birmingham is delivered by TSA Projects, led by Tanayah Sam who commented:
“Thanks to the support of the Berkeley Foundation, we were able to deliver a meaningful and inspiring event for a community that truly deserves it. Street Elite continues to make a real impact on youth employment in Birmingham, helping young people take positive steps into work, education and training. Using sport as the catalyst, we're not just helping individuals - we're building healthier, more resilient communities. I'm proud of what we’ve achieved so far, and even more excited about what’s to come."
Stay tuned - we’ll share the results this autumn.