Citizenship in Action: CIA Beeston

Beeston is an inner city area of South Leeds. It has a sizeable Asian population. However it’s reputation has been tarnished by being home to 3 of the 7/7 bombers.

The Youth Charter will be calling for a school-based learning programme ‘Youthwise’ to be piloted in Beeston following its successful work with young people and communities across the globe.

In close partnership with the Hamara Healthy Living Centre and the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA), the Youth Charter is looking to provide a community based ‘out of school’ project that will incorporate existing initiatives and hopefully lead to an increase in the usage of local sporting and community resources. Focusing on 5 schools, the project aims to train 100 Social Coaches to work with Beeston’s young people and the community.

Ikram Butt, Executive Director of BARA, commented

“I passionately believe that both codes of rugby and sport in general can be used to bridge divides, create positive role models and foster the ethic of teamwork. “These are values that we should encourage cross culturally and by doing so we?ll be creating more inclusive and unified communities and avoiding the tragic legacy of Beeston.”

Hanif Malik of the Hamara Healthy Living Centre said:

“Beeston has a real future if it seizes initiatives such as this. Sport is a great unifying force as well as the perfect vehicle for fostering healthy lifestyles. “We are fully behind the work of the Youth Charter and look forward to seeing BARA and other sporting organisations impacting on the future of all our young people and the wider South Leeds community.”