If you want to join the girls club come along to Dragon Hall and fill in a membership form, you will need a parent’s consent, then bring the form to club on Monday night at 5:15pm. Club starts again in the new year on the 11th January 2010.

For more information come and pick up a programme from Dragon Hall…

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This club was organised and run by two fantastic youth workers, Fathia Abdulrahman (Girls Club co-ordinator) and Jasmine Roynon (Girls Club worker), helped by a group of young women volunteers who are themselves between the ages of 13 and 19.

The project was funded in part by the Section 106 fund covering staff costs and the young volunteers accessed the Key Fund to run activities and themselves.

Activities included cooking, arts and crafts, off-site trips like cinema, bowling, theatre, restaurant visits etc.

Pictures of activities at the girlsclub!

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Here are some of the comments made by our volunteers…

I’m finding Girls club really fun and interesting as we do lots different activities like dance, cinema going out on trips cooking and many more. I enjoy working in girls club especially with the volunteers and staff!!!!! Sophie Holmes (Junior Volunteer)

At the moment we are doing dance sessions at the girls club, I’m enjoying it because I like doing physical things and it’s something I haven’t done before. And it’s also good for the children, so they learn the importance of exercise. The games we play at the begining of the sessions allows us to get to know the children more and make the sessions more enjoyable. The dance teacher Chloe is very nice, she’s good at teaching the children and motivating them and the atmosphere of the sessions are very fun and relaxed. Overall, I’ve enjoyed the whole experience because I’ve met loads of new people, Fathia and Jasmine are very nice people and I’ve become good friends with the other volunteers, Zara, Sophie, Julie, Ruma and Tracey, they are all really nice and funny. There’s nothing in particular I would like to do in the girls club, but maybe something physical like taking them rock climbing or bike riding. The arts and crafts workshop sounds very interesting and fun and I’m looking forward to it. I think that going to more primary schools will make more girls come and maybe making an event like a fair at a primary school.
Jamila Khatun (Junior Volunteer)

Girls Club is an excellent way for young girls from the local community to develop their skills across arts and crafts and dance and performance alongside meeting new people and making new friends. I have really enjoyed my first two terms at Girls Club. Not only has it been a delight to participate in the activities on offer, ranging from cake decorating to street dance, but it has also enabled me to work with young people in an activities and after-school club capacity. I have enjoyed communicating with the young people and young volunteers helping both to develop their skills base whilst also enjoying each session. I have also enjoyed working with the youth workers who have been helpful, accommodating and great fun to work with. My favourite activity thus far has been street dance. Before Girls Club I had not tried street dance and was very excited to hear about our six week course. We have all enjoyed ourselves immensely, and even if some of the dance steps and sequences have proved to be a challenge, we have nonetheless really appreciated the effort invested in each session and the inspired teaching. Aside from the excellent activities offered, what has struck me about Girls Club is the emphasis on team work and core communications. The club promotes team working ethics and effective communications between participants so the young participants develop their confidence and self esteem. As a volunteer I have observed some of the young people grow in confidence and motivation, and it has been a great joy to see them develop a strong sense of belief in themselves and in their own ‘can-do’ approach. The girls have demonstrated motivation and a positive response to all activities, and as a bright and enthusiastic group it has been a delight to see them continue to learn.

I believe the Girls Club offers a wonderful range of activities for girls but I have noticed that some of those girls who attended the first term sessions seem to have not participated in the dance sessions. It is difficult to cater for all but I believe Girls Club has catered for all participants and has provided a diverse range of accessible and enjoyable activities. It might be a good idea to ask the girls what they would like to do in future sessions. Personally I enjoy the more energetic activities such as dancing. I also enjoy the warm-up games such as paper ball and spat, which, although require energy and coordination, equally require strong team work and communication skills. It might be a good idea to bring back twister for a few sessions as most of the girls seemed to enjoy this. To maintain diversity of activities and continue consistent weekly participation, future sessions could possibly encompass storytelling or music, perhaps with a professional musician or singer. I look forward to the next girls club in January 2010.
Tracey Stuart(Volunteer)