London Irish Foundation VRU Summer Programme Concludes with Memorable Finale

The London Irish Foundation's VRU Summer Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering young girls in the community, concluded on Friday, August 16th, 2024, with a spectacular finale at Hazelwood, Sunbury-on-Thames.

Over 10 days, ten 15-year-old girls engaged in a variety of enriching activities designed to develop skills and lifelong memories while building confidence, teamwork, and resilience.

The programme started with team-building exercises on Day 1, setting a strong foundation for the fortnight ahead. The girls also had a virtual meeting with renowned chef Stephane Delourme to plan the final dinner menu and invitations for guests, sparking their excitement for the big event.

Day 2 brought the creative talents of singer-songwriter Emmanuel Smith, who inspired the girls with his love of music, encouraging them to explore their artistic potential. Together they created an incredible song simply using “step by step”.

The following day, the staff at Holiday Inn in Shepperton hosted the group, teaching them the intricacies of front-of-house service, from table setting to guest interactions—a valuable experience in hospitality and skills for them to take into the final dinner on Day 10.

On Day 4, the girls ventured to the Starbucks office at the Chiswick Business Park, where they learned the art of crafting the perfect latte. They each had the opportunity to create a drink of their choice, with most opting for caramel Frappuccino, a clear favourite. The visit was drawn to a close by an incredible talk from one of Starbucks's Directors narrating an inspiring life story that struck a note with the girls on belonging.

Sports broadcaster and former London Irish rugby player Topsy Ojo joined the girls on Day 5, offering insights into the world of media and presenting, a unique experience that broadened their understanding of career possibilities

Day 6 brought a particularly exciting opportunity: the girls had the chance to watch the England Roses train, and some of the players even took time to speak with them and share a dance after the main session. This connection to elite athletes left a lasting impression on the girls. The presence of John Mitchell, Head Coach of the England Roses, at the dinner was a testament to the event's significance.

The afternoon was dedicated to preparations for the final dinner, with the girls working hard to perfect every detail.

On Day 7, musician Ronan MacManus joined the programme at Hazelwood, where the girls collaborated to write and perform a song. The highlight was their rendition of "Maybe It’s Because I’m an Irish Londoner," a nod to their newfound heritage and shared experiences.

The excitement continued on Day 8 with a trip to Windsor, where the girls enjoyed a Duck tour featuring stunning views of Windsor Castle, followed by a challenging (and noisy!) escape room adventure. They deserved a bit of down time!

Day 9 featured an inspirational talk from Peter McGahan, CEO of Worldwide Financial Planning, who flew in from Ireland to discuss financial literacy with the girls. The day concluded with a hands-on cooking session with Stephane Delourme, who had travelled from Cornwall to help the girls prepare for their final dinner. Several hours of food prep followed, this certainly gave them a flavour for the final day.

The grand finale on Day 10 was marked by high energy and anticipation as the girls donned their chef whites to assist renowned chefs Stephane Delourme, Paul Bates, and Luis Meza in preparing the evening’s meal.

Despite initial concerns about the unflattering chef attire, the girls quickly got back to the task at hand, showcasing their culinary skills and attention to detail as they dressed tables, printed menus, and organised seating plans.

As evening guests arrived, the girls demonstrated professionalism and poise, impressing parents and VIP guests alike with their hospitality and service. The meal was a resounding success, with not a single complaint—if etiquette had allowed, the plates would have been licked clean.

Heartfelt thanks go to Alima Qureshi, Head of Communities and Young People, and Gareth Plumb, Community Engagement Lead, from London’s VRU, part of the Mayor of London’s Office, for supporting the girls at the event, we know the girls appreciated they support.

The VRU Summer Programme is a direct outcome of the VRU Mayor of London initiative, which began in September 2023. The Foundation hopes this is just the beginning of a strong and impactful partnership, especially in creating a brighter future for young women and girls.

Special thanks also go to Jeremy Brownlee from Pump Technology Ltd. for supporting this event. Their continued support of our Foundation is truly incredible, and we extend sincere thanks to Jeremy Brownlee and Jonathan Barker.

From day one a camera crew followed the group creating a fly-on-the-wall experience documenting the girls’ journey through this programme. Thanks to Julien, Chester, and Suzanne from Conscious Create Limited, your dedication to capturing these experiences and turning them into lasting memories has been invaluable. We eagerly await the results of your work

The London Irish Foundation’s VRU Summer Programme not only equipped the girls with valuable life skills but also provided them with unforgettable experiences and a sense of accomplishment that will last a lifetime. The success of this inaugural programme promises even greater things for the future as the Foundation continues its mission to empower youth through sports, education, and community engagement.

This programme highlights the importance of targeted initiatives that support young people, especially girls, in building a brighter future. Plans are already underway for expanding the programme next year, with the hope of reaching even more young women across London.

Reflecting on the programme, Andy Keast Chief Executive of the Foundation said, "This was a successful and humbling programme, the transformation and growth of these girls has been incredible and along with my team I would like to congratulate the girls for all they have achieved, We're incredibly proud of the girls who took part in this programme, they showed great determination and enthusiasm, and we hope that the skills they've learned will stay with them as they grow."