By Isle of Wight Observer
Organisers of a free teen festival say they’re desperate to do it again, after more than 150 Island youngsters gathered for an Easter weekend of learning and inspiration.
The Kingswood Residential Centre, at Bembridge, was one of six venues across the UK which played host to the free-to-attend four-day Loud Speaker Easter Weekender, created to help those aged 15 to 17 learn new social skills.
Joint founder, Calvin Eden, said: “Our aim was always to try to inspire young people to think positively about their futures, teach them new skills and build their self-confidence so they’re more ready to tackle the world.”
Each event put on outdoor activities, ranging from archery and climbing, to zip lines and high ropes. Workshops focused on building life, employability and enterprise skills covering topics such as communication and marketing, personal branding and start-up business coaching.
Bembridge attendee, Amber Heed, said: “I managed to fight my anxiety of public speaking and spoke four times in front of a crowd, despite my hands shaking. I climbed higher than I could have climbed before, and socialised with new people and had a great laugh. I feel more confident.”
Belle Southgate, another attendee, explained: “I developed really bad social anxiety leading up to this trip, and, when I got here, I made a new friend at the silent disco. Then another in the dorms. It was incredibly fun and I have been talking to more people without worrying. This is the proudest I’ve ever been of myself.”