Grass Roots Volunteers Celebrated

Tower Hamlets Council celebrated grass root volunteers at the CanDo Celebration and Awards ceremony on 25th June at the Mile End Ecology Pavilion. The project provides start up support to individuals with ideas on how to help residents shape attitudes and improve behaviour towards living healthier lives through their own projects.

Over 100 guests heard how, in the last 12 months, 64 new healthy lifestyles projects had been supported by the CanDo community led initiatives, all established by local volunteers. Over 750 residents had participated in the variety of projects over the past year.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “It is excellent to see residents giving back to their community and taking the steps to make positive change happen in their local area.”

Such projects have included Taekwondo classes at the Bromley by Bow Centre, Mums United football training at Cubitt Town School, a variety of healthy eating projects, cycling and walking clubs and eight new projects that focused on improving the environment, including encouraging youngsters to collect litter.

Since 2009, the CanDo programme has seen 339 volunteer projects reach over 9,000 participants.

Cllr Abdul Asad, lead member for adults wellbeing said: “I want to thank all those who have worked so hard to take a grass roots up approach to contribute to the health challenges across the borough.”

The Tower Hamlets Public Health team will continue supporting the CanDo community led projects for the next year, announcing the host organisations later this month.

If you have an idea for a local project or programme to help fellow residents lead healthier lives, applications will be accepted in autumn 2014.

For more information on CanDo projects contact Brenda Scotland at Brenda.Scotland@towerhamlets.gov.uk

•The event saw many volunteers share their stories of how the programmes have positively impacted on their lives. At the Bromley by Bow Centre, Taekwondo sessions are offered to children between the ages of 7 and 15. The project leader, Shah Miah, wanted these sessions to reflect discipline, respect, self-defense, control and health and to give local children an opportunity to understand the rules of an Olympic sport.

The classes have been a great success, with a total of 43 students already participating and a long waiting list. Shah, a Taekwondo instructor who has won many medals in his practice, has been able to purchase equipment and uniforms with support from the CanDo project.

Shah said: “CanDo has helped sustain this popular and in-demand martial arts activity and we have seen an overwhelming amount of support from parents, who were keen to have this type of activity on offer locally.”

Parents have said:

“My child has made lots of friends here and she can’t wait to come every Fridy; I wish there were more classes we can attend”.

“My son is much happier and he has built up so much confidence”.