Scroll down for details of what happened in the Green Club this year...

Green Club teaches girls how to:

• Plant and grow vegetables
• Grow flowers and exotic plants
• Understand the environment
• Understand recycling
• Take part in a nature trail
• Make garden crafts
• Learn about different types of soil and plants

The Club takes place every Tuesday from 4.30 to 6pm at Baytree’s vegetable plot at The Colour of Food café in Papa’s Park, 10-17 Pulross Road in Brixton or at the Baytree Centre itself.

Girls meet each week at the centre and should wear old clothes if they don’t want to get muddy!

We aim to run the club again in Summer Term 2011 but if you have any queries in the meantime please contact Suzy on 020 7733 5283 or suzy@baytreecentre.co.uk.

An update from Green Club Volunteer Leader Lizzie:

Green Club has had a very successful first term. Our main activity has been to create our very own vegetable garden, which is now teeming with life and fresh produce!

We began the term with a trip down to the site – which at that time only contained two empty beds of soil. We learnt about what plants needed to grow, so that when we planted our little vegetable seedlings the next week, we were ready to give them all that they needed to grow into big, strong plants.

With weekly watering, our plants grew and grew (and are still growing!) and before long, we began harvesting! So far we have picked (and tasted!) four varieties of lettuce, peas, beans, parsley, chives, rosemary and strawberries.

We also had a very special Saturday session where we picked our home grown spinach, and, with the help of wonderful cafe owner Joy, turned it into delicious spinach pizzas! Along with our growing, we have also had fun with green crafts: making bags out of recycled materials, and making our own fundraising jamjars to raise money for the Baytree trip to the Commonwealth Farm.

We also learnt about nature more widely, doing nature hunts to search for bugs and plants, and learning about the uses of other plants around the garden. We finished the term with a treasure hunt, during which the girls had to demonstrate what they had learnt in order to search down the treasure!

Over the summer we will have a couple more 'Green Days' to harvest the remaining plants: which include beetroot, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes and runner beans. Our aim has been to get the girls enthusiastic about nature, and help them understand a bit more about where food comes from, and how delicious healthy food can be.

Special thanks must be given to Joy at the Colour of Food cafe for her loan of the space and her ever welcoming presence!

Scroll down for pictures and further details about the Junior Residential in Spring Term 2010.

The group departed from Victoria train station at 10am on Saturday morning and after a short train ride and a taxi journey they arrived at Blackland Farm, an activity centre in the Sussex countryside. The group stayed in Restrop Cabin – dubbed Baytree Bungalow for the weekend – which included a dormitory of bunkbeds for the girls and a living area with an open fire.

After some of the girls helped the leaders to prepare lunch, the group tucked in to cheese, ham & tuna sandwiches and discussed some ground rules for the weekend including:
• Enjoy yourself!
• Respect everyone
• Be patient
• Work as a team

After lunch it was time for the first activity - Bouldering. Everyone attempted to climb along the wall without touching the floor. Some found it easier than others but everyone tried hard and encouraged each other.

Next the group went to meet Nathan, a member of Blackland Farm staff, who ran the Teambuilding activities. From keeping a ball off the ground using pipes to getting everyone safely through the ‘spider’s web’, the girls learnt how to communicate better and work as a team to achieve their goals.

The final outdoor activity on the first day was Tunnelling. Crawling through pipes buried underground was dirty but enjoyable. The entire group pushed themselves to try and reach an exit further and further away from the entrance, and in spite of the dark and cramped conditions they all managed it.

At the end of a long day of activities the group returned to the ‘Baytree Bungalow’. While some girls helped the leaders to prepare dinner, others helped collect firewood and watched as a leader showed them how to build a fire.

After a delicious dinner of spaghetti bolognaise the group played games based around the themes of trust, sharing and inclusion.

To end the day the group undertook some arts & crafts and enjoyed hot chocolate in front of the open fire while they made Mother’s Day cards and friendship bracelets.

On Sunday morning the group got up early, some girls helped the leaders to prepare breakfast while the others helped to tidy up the cabin.

Following breakfast the group headed out for their most anticipated activity - the Zip Wire. Although some people were initially quite scared, once they saw their new friends enjoying the wire everyone decided to have a go. Even the leaders got harnessed up and zipped down the very high wire!

Finally the group returned to the cabin to enjoy lunch, think about their experiences as they filled in a short evaluation and then help to finish tidying up the cabin for departure.

At 2pm on Sunday a tired but happy group waved goodbye to the ‘Baytree Bungalow’ and Blackland Farm and headed back to London where their parents awaited their return.

Facts & Figures

At the end of the Residential the girls’ evaluations showed that they had all:
• Done at least 2 things they’d never done before
• Met new girls
• Made new friends
• Done at least one thing really well

5 girls named the Zip Wire as their favourite activity, 3 said tunnelling, 1 teambuilding, 1 bouldering, 1 helping with the cooking and 1 said all the activities were her favourite!

When asked what she enjoyed most, one girl said: "all the fun we had together" ...which sums up the residential perfectly!

Mathematics is indispensable in most fields at a basic level, which explains why so many employers and universities require at least a grade ‘C’ in GCSE Maths.

Having study clubs focused specifically on Maths allows us to make sure that each child looks at this subject at least once a week. Maths Club enables girls to improve their knowledge and become more adept at Maths whilst receiving support from skilled volunteers.

PRE (Positive Relationships Education) is a weekly programme designed to inspire and foster positive relationships amongst children and young people. The course looks to help develop strong and rounded characters in young people in order to build healthy relationships with friends, peers and family members.

Summer Term 2011:
Thursday 4.15 - 5.00pm (Ages 10-13)
Thursday 5.15-6.00pm (Ages 8-10)

For further information about PRE please contact the Head of Youth Suzy on suzy@baytreecentre.co.uk or 020 7733 5283.

During school holidays the Centre holds excursions, activities and other events for girls aged 8-19.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

This Easter our Youth Forum - the Baytree Big Talk(ers) - presents:

HEALTH & BEAUTY: What is Health & Who Decides What is Beautiful?

Who for?
Girls & young women aged 11-19.

When is it?
Monday 11 April - Thursday 14 April
10am - 4pm

So, what's planned?
~ Beauticians
~ Nutritionists
~ Fitness & Dance (inc. waving & popping, street and commercial street)
~ Designing your own beauty magazine
~ Confidence & Self Esteem building

How much does it cost?
£3 per day

Anything else?
Bring a packed lunch, healthy refreshments will be provided.

Want to know more?
Contact Jadanna @ The Baytree Centre on 0207 733 5283, email youthforum@baytreecentre.co.uk or visit the Centre at 300 Brixton Road SW9 6AE.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Service on 020 7733 5283 or volunteering@baytreecentre.co.uk for more information.

Events for Current Volunteers...

Wednesday 6th July
6:30-9pm

Refreshments and pampering (watch this space!) will be provided!

Smart dress.

RSVP by Monday 27th June. To confirm your place please email una@baytreecentre.co.uk or speak to Una in Room 6.

Wednesday 29 June - Nutrition

Wednesday 13 July - Child Protection & Safeguarding

Wednesday 20 July - Event Planning

£10 a session for 6 weeks. Dates to be confirmed. Register your interest by emailing una@baytreecentre.co.uk

Gulrukhsor Abdusaminova, Adult Mentor.

During school holidays the Centre holds excursions, activities and other events for girls aged 8-19.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

This Easter our Youth Forum - the Baytree Big Talk(ers) - presents:

HEALTH & BEAUTY: What is Health & Who Decides What is Beautiful?

Who for?
Girls & young women aged 11-19.

When is it?
Monday 11 April - Thursday 14 April
10am - 4pm

So, what's planned?
~ Beauticians
~ Nutritionists
~ Fitness & Dance (inc. waving & popping, street and commercial street)
~ Designing your own beauty magazine
~ Confidence & Self Esteem building

How much does it cost?
£3 per day

Anything else?
Bring a packed lunch, healthy refreshments will be provided.

Want to know more?
Contact Jadanna @ The Baytree Centre on 0207 733 5283, email youthforum@baytreecentre.co.uk or visit the Centre at 300 Brixton Road SW9 6AE.

A professional dance teacher gives lessons in ballet. Ballet teaches the girls discipline and coordination.

From September 2010 onwards, girls aged 6-7 will take part in the GEMS (Grow Enjoy Move Study) programme which consists of Ballet and Reading.

The programme costs £20.00 per term and places are limited. For further details contact the Youth Service on 020 733 5283.

In addition the girls develop both teamwork and leadership abilities. The course is run by an experienced netball player with volunteers to support the girls throughout the term.

Please note that Netball is not running in 2011.

The club provides an opportunity for girls aged 8-19 to learn the basics of Netball including rules & regulations and the skills required to play the game. In addition the girls develop both teamwork and leadership abilities. The course is run by an experienced netball player with volunteers to support the girls throughout the term.

Please note that Netball Club is not running in the Summer Term 2011.

The Comprehension & Literacy club provides a peaceful environment where girls can improve on both their reading and writing whilst being supported by fully trained volunteers. Activities range from spelling and grammar tests to reading poems and writing plays.

Try Baytree's DJ Workshop (girls only). Intensive 3 day master class learning and developing DJ skills. Age Group: 14 to 19 years old Dates/Time: Tuesday 14th - Thursday 16th February, from 2.00 - 5.00pm

Female African Dance Tutor needed!

To teach a one hour dance session on a weekly basis in our centre, based in Brixton, South London. All participants will be female and aged 10-19 years old. Successful applicants should demonstrate an ability to choreograph routines relevant to the rising Afro Beats scene in the UK. Ideally, you will also possess a teaching qualification. Successful candidates should teach in an inspirational way to motivate and engage the young people. An enhanced CRB disclosure will be requested.

Sessions will begin week commencing 13th Feb 2012

Tuesdays from 6-7pm

Location: South London, United Kingdom

Payment details: Dependant upon experience

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to Lynnike@baytreecentre.co.uk by Friday 27th Jan.

BYF aims to promote and effect change through participation amongst young people, encouraging them to take roles of responsibility and challenge themselves as young volunteers in the Baytree Centre and the local community. In the process they will learn life and business skills and work towards gaining a Bronze Youth Achievement Award

Having successfully completed our first project year, the team decided to create committees to maximise the skills base of each member while allowing them to focus on chosen skill sets. The committees are:

• Event Planning


• Finance


• Fundraising


• Media & Marketing


• Recruitment


• Research & Evaluation


• Young Volunteers

BYF meetings currently take place every Monday from 4.30pm to 6pm. The Forum is open to girls aged 14-19.

Please download an Interest Form or contact Jadanna or on 020 7733 5283 for more information

Keeping you informed...

BYF have been working hard this year finding ways to develop the Baytree Centre and our Youth Service... what with organising our first Health and Beauty workshop, recruiting new members of staff and refurbishing our kitchen, it's been a busy year! The pictures of the workshop and the opening of the new kitchen are below.

The Kitchen Project could easily have remained a dream if it had not been for the Lambeth Youth Opportunity Fund who granted the BYF the funding to be able to achieve this dream.
 

On Saturday 27 November, we held a grand opening celebration for our newly refurbished kitchen. Our special guest was the charming Dragon Slayer Levi Roots, a decision welcomed by BYF as he is known for his culinary skills and he is Brixton-based. It was meant to be.

He is pictured below with Baytree Youth Forum member Chika Ekenachi who he has promised to name a recipe after in his forthcoming book, with further mention of returning to Baytree to give the girls demonstrations of his new recipes in our new kitchen!!

Before:

and

During:

And the beautiful after:

Keep checking back for updates!

Once a year, a group of girls who attend activities at the Baytree Centre are selected to go on a week long residential trip to the island of Jersey. This is a fun packed but challenging week of outdoor activities, volunteering opportunities and team building tasks.

The Jersey trip did not take place in 2011, however, we are hoping to run the project again in 2012.

In July 2010 a group of six senior girls traveled from Brixton to the village of Gorey in Jersey. Following a tasty barbeque with some of the local residents on the first day, the girls spent the week discovering the hidden treasures of Jersey.

From crab and shrimp-hunting on the beach to exploring the Jersey war tunnels, the girls discovered the incredible history and geography of the biggest of the Channel Islands. They met local fishermen and visited a convent that caters for the elderly. They also spent hours trying to find clues in one of the most challenging mazes ever!

The girls were responsible for cooking for each other and working and living together as a team. It was a fantastic week and all those who took part had a great time.

Scroll down to see pictures from the trip.

This summer we ran a two-day course in Law, for girls aged 14-19.

The course aimed to help young people understand the basics of a career in law. There was also an opportunity to meet trainee solictors at a law firm in the City and a visit to The Old Bailey.

On the first day the group visited Herbert Smith LLP (a firm of solictors near Liverpool Street). The young people met trainee solictors and a partner from the firm who discussed the typical day for a solictor and answered the girls queries about a career in law.

The second day of the course, began with a trip to The Old Bailey where the young people witnessed a trial and developed their knowledge of how a trial unfolds. In the afternoon, they used this knowledge to take part in a mock trial. Divided into defence, prosecution and jury, the young people role played a dangerous driving case.

This summer we held a three-day course for girls aged 14-19.

During the course participants were introduced to different iconic photographers, photographic styles and types of cameras. They also learnt basic photography skills and created their own displays using the pictures they produced during the course.

During the whole course participants examined photography by exploring two themes: portrait & landscape. On the first day they researched how famous photographers had used these styles within their work.

The girls then took to the streets of Brixton to take their own portrait and landscape ohotographs. These photographs were then used during the second day of the course to create a photo display for their own magazine, 'The Brix'.

The course also included a trip to a local magazine for young people (Live Magazine) where girls spoke to professional photographers and learnt about pursuing it as a career.