People Powered Places, run by Newham London Borough Council, gives Newham residents the chance to change their local area for the best by voting for which projects they would like to be funded to provide improvements.
Newham has eight Community Neighbourhoods, with each being allocated £200,000 to spend on improvements to the area.
London Youth Rowing’s proposal is in the People Powered Beckton & Royal Docks area.
LYR is a charity committed to providing opportunities to young people from inner city areas through rowing and has proposed hosting free on water rowing sessions for young people aged 11 to 18.
Through the charity’s own water sports club running out of East London – LYR Club – the proposal is to host regular Open Club drop-in sessions at the Royal Docks in East London.
The free-of-charge sessions aim to give young people access to the sport and its wider benefits, for many for the first time.
The sessions would also have the potential to link into LYR’s talent inclusion work, forming a pathway between its primary Active Row programme and British Rowing’s Performance Development Academy based at the Royal Docks.
LYR has been based in Beckton for many years, following its formation in 2005, and the charity’s Active Row programme now works with schools across London, Yorkshire, Nottingham and Kent, supporting thousands of young people who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to try rowing, or enjoy the subsequent mental health, physical wellbeing, and social benefits of the sport.
In 2022, LYR completed a Social Value study of Active Row London which showed it had a significant positive impact on young people taking part, including improvements in all areas of mental wellbeing, improved levels of physical activity and greater resilience.
David Tinnion, COO at LYR, said: “We’re really excited about the potential of these Open Club sessions for young people in East London. Rowing has the power to offer so many benefits, many of which people don’t realise until they give it a go.
“Through this project, young people will build strength, develop key life skills including team work and have the opportunity to connect with other young people in the community.
“Sessions will be led by a dedicated team of coaches and participants will no doubt see benefits that extend far beyond the water. It will also mean young people from Beckton can take advantage of the facilities and water which is on their doorstep, but currently little used by the local community.”
The Big Vote, powered by Newhaven London Borough Council, runs from October 21 until November 12.
On Saturday, October 28, those shortlisted in the Beckton & Royal Docks community are invited to attend an in-person event between 10am-1pm at Beckton Globe Library. LYR will host a stall at the event and are available to discuss its plans to local residents.
Voting is available either in person on October 28 or to vote online for LYR in The Big Vote, visit: newhamco-create.co.uk/en/projects/people-powered-beckton-royal-docks
https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/23879508.funding-proposal-free-rowing-east-london-shortlisted/
