Mayor of London Boris Johnson launches YOU Matter programme
24 January 2012
On Thursday 19 January 2012, Mayor of London Boris Johnson visited Merton to launch the YOU (Youth Organisations Uniform) Matter programme, offering exciting new opportunities for young people to join volunteer uniformed cadet organisations across London.
This builds on the work of the Met’s Territorial Policing Youth Team who developed YOU London, which brings together thousands of young people from across London who volunteer to serve their communities in uniform with their respective Cadet units and services.
"Young people can aspire to a better future.’
This key event was held at the Merton Sea Cadet base, TS Trafalgar, in Mitcham, where young people and adult staff from the Volunteer Police Cadets (VPC), Sea Cadets Corps (SCC), Army Cadet Force (ACF), Air Training Corps (ATC), St John Ambulance, Guides, Scouts and other teams paraded for inspection and drill by the Mayor.
In plans outlined by the Mayor, thousands of youngsters will now have the opportunity to join uniformed groups like the VPC, Guides, Scouts and Cadets. The £1.3 million programme, being run by the Safer London Foundation, will help young people develop vital skills and instil discipline and responsibility in young people, particularly those who are or at risk of being excluded from education, training or employment.
The initiative is part of Team London, the Mayor’s strategy to harness volunteers to deliver key projects to improve the quality of life and opportunities of Londoners.
Speaking at the Merton Sea Cadets Centre for the launch, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson said:
‘Uniformed groups are a fantastic way for youngsters to get involved in a myriad of activities, which will help equip them with the skills they need to succeed in life. It’s a modern tragedy that so many of our young people are struggling to get a foothold in the jobs market and are drifting into crime. By instilling self reliance, discipline and a sense of competition, young people can aspire to a better future.’
Rena Sodhi, Chief Executive of Safer London Foundation said:
‘Our projects are all about supporting young people and giving them the opportunity to approach their lives differently. We are proud to be leading on a flagship Team London project and working with the uniformed groups and our Youth Advisory Board to encourage young people from some of London’s most deprived boroughs to access activities they would not normally have the chance to try. Adult volunteers are vital to the success of YOU Matter, as they mean new groups can be established and it is evident that Londoners are rising to this challenge.’
- Mayor of London Boris Johnson With the Merton Volunteer Police Cadets
- Cadets lined up on parade
- Merton Volunteer Police Cadets