BAFTA-winning actor and Barnardo’s ambassador, Lennie James, took time out of his busy filming schedule to visit the charity’s Building Hope Academy in Crystal Palace last week, spending time with young people training in construction.
Building Hope Academy delivers construction skills courses across four different trades for young people between 16-19 years who are leaving care, and aims to provide them with the skills, knowledge and confidence for entering employment. Lennie, who scooped
the coveted Leading Actor BAFTA at the Television Awards ceremony earlier this month, visited the Academy to find out more about the training and courses, and chat with learners and Barnardo’s colleagues.
Lennie said: “As a Barnardo’s ambassador for young people leaving care, I feel very honoured to have been able to visit the charity’s Building Hope Academy and meet many of the young people training there. It feels like such a positive environment, and I’m
so impressed with how engaged the learners are in the course.
“The young people I chatted to really eloquently shared what didn’t work for them at school but what does work for them at the Academy, and it’s clear that they are really benefitting from the hands-on, personalised tutorials, both in practical building skills
and in a business sense. I can tell the learners feel proud of themselves, are really enthused about what they are doing, and seem very positive about going out into the workforce once their training is completed.
“When I was training for what eventually became my career, it was so important that I was able to do something that I enjoyed, that I was good at, and that other people gave me confidence in. I really felt a connection in that way during my visit to the Academy,
seeing that the young people who train here are, possibly even for the first time, being praised for what they’re doing rather than feeling judged for what they can’t do. I remember that making a massive difference to me and I can really see it in the young
people at Building Hope.”
Students learn specific skills on the course at Building Hope Academy, including plastering, wallpapering, and tiling, along with health and safety knowledge. Alongside learning, the young people take part in work experience and, at the end of the course, are
supported with their next step, such as an apprenticeship.
Carl George, Construction Tutor at Barnardo’s Building Hope Academy said: “When learners come here for the first time, they might not have any previous knowledge of construction, so we start off with smaller tasks and once they develop in their abilities and
understanding, I can see their interest and confidence in what they are doing grow. You’ve got to show the younger generation encouragement; if you do that, they will do well.”
Mason* a student at Barnardo’s Building Hope Academy said: “Since coming here, my mindset’s changed; I’m always up early and out being productive. I want to do more for myself.
“The Academy is somewhere that can really help people who want to get out there and step into the real world but don’t know where to start. The tutors here can help you get to where you want to be, or even if you don’t know, they will point you in the right
direction and help you figure it out. You only get 24 hours each day, so you’ve got to do something with it while you can.”
Barnardo’s Employment Training and Skills (ETS) courses train and support more than 3,000 young people each year through partnerships with employers, schools, colleges and other charities. Through its specialist centres, the children’s charity provides courses,
support, and careers advice for young people, whether looking to gain qualifications in construction or an apprenticeship in hairdressing.
