Ministry encourages young people to 'aspire for greatness'

A Christian charity hopes to provide better opportunities for young people following the yobbish riots that have hit Britain’s streets.

God’s Grace Foundation (GGF) is working to eradicate childhood poverty through education and training schemes aimed at teenagers.

The organisation says the government must look deeper when aiming to fix ‘Broken Britain’ following the riots, which resulted in more than 2,000 arrests.

GGF founder Dupe Makinde said: “Personal development skills are often overlooked in young people.

"It is the means by which all young people are supported in their moral, physical, emotional, cultural and intellectual development according to their needs, and regardless of their social and/or economic backgrounds.

“It promotes their wellbeing and enables them to develop their potential as healthy, enterprising and responsible citizens in our society. In the wake of recent events it is clear that society needs to focus more on this than it has done.

“We would just like to encourage young people everywhere to continue to believe in themselves and aspire for greatness.

"Despite recent events there is hope for young people and opportunities for a better future. Also to parents who have the hardest job in the world, continue to speak positively to your children to develop their self-esteem.”

GGF runs a series of workshops in the Greenwich and Bexley areas for young people, helping them deal with a range of issues and gain valuable life skills.

Topics covered include handling peer pressure, developing healthy self esteem, communication and assertiveness, business enterprise skills, drama and homework support.

Meanwhile, the organisation will be running parenting workshops next month, giving parents extra support and training.