Teenagers took centre stage at a regional public speaking competition, impressing judges with their confidence, honesty and heart.
The Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge: Havering Regional Final took place at Emerson Park Academy on May 7, and featured 18 finalists from a pool of more than 11,000 young participants across London and Essex.
The Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge is delivered by Speakers Trust in partnership with the Jack Petchey Foundation and supports young people in developing public speaking and communication skills.
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Hylands Community Amateur Sports Club praised the programme and called for greater recognition of young people’s achievements.
Giorgio Bugnatelli BEM, secretary to the trustees at Hylands Community Amateur Sports Club and a judge on the night, said: "It was a privilege to be invited to join the judging panel for the Havering regional final.
"The standard was outstanding and the event was full of energy, intelligence and sincerity. Too often, young people are spoken about only when something has gone wrong.
"Events like this remind us how much humour, courage and potential exists quietly within our communities.
"These young speakers were not only confident and articulate, they were prepared to speak honestly about issues that mattered to them. That takes real courage."
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