As part of the Bring it on Brum! programme, providers have access to a wide range of training workshops hosted by StreetGames and other delivery partners, these workshops aim to ensure staff and volunteers continue to develop their skills and better meet the needs of their community.
However, to help bridge the gap between formal education and higher-level qualifications, Bring it on Brum! expanded their training offer to include young people through a variety of theme-based workshops hosted through Bring it on Brum! holiday clubs.
During the winter 2024 programme, Bring it on Brum! Young Leader Cooking Workshops encouraged young people to talk about food as well as look at the long-term impact of healthy eating.
One of the workshops, held at Microsports’ winter camp, welcomed over 40 young people aged between 5-16 years of age to take part in cooking demonstrations including soup, pizzas, apple crumble and fruit salad.
Following the session, four of the young people took their knowledge one step further and hosted a healthy lifestyle event, including a pizza-making demonstration, combined with tennis-based activities. The young people took full responsibility for the coordination of the event, planning the menu, the activities, buying ingredients and guiding the delivery of the session.
One key advantage of Bring it on Brum! workshops is their lasting impact on children and young people. All four young people who organised the event have expressed increased confidence in the kitchen, cook more at home with their families and are more likely to prepare their own meals. They are now pursuing qualifications by working toward their Level 2 Food Hygiene certification.
Microsports has been a Bring it on Brum! provider since 2021. Their Head Coach, Paul Bayliss, previously worked with the LTA to develop the SERVES programme and is passionate about training and mentoring young leaders. In 2024, Microsports successfully trained over 100 young leaders in Sutton Coldfield and nearby Lichfield.