An Olympic medallist has revisited her old gymnastics club in Liverpool ahead of the upcoming world championships.
The City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club has been been given a new lease of life after a recent refurbishment carried out by young people in the region. Alongside Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Beth Tweddle MBE met with 25 young people who have helped fit a new reception and storage area.
The Olympic Medallist, who now runs her own gymnastics clubs in various locations, spoke with youngsters as some gymnasts then showed off their skills. Beth Tweddle MBE said: "Grassroots facilities like these are so important for young people to enjoy the sports they love but also make friends and develop life skills such as the importance of teamwork, dedication and perseverance.
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"By having local clubs like this, young people also have the chance to try things for the first time, broaden their horizons and develop a love of something they maybe previously hadn’t considered. That also goes for the young people who have worked on this project.
"Meeting them today, it’s fantastic to see the pride they rightly have in their work and hear that they’re now considering a career in painting and decorating as a result."
The project was launched by Volunteer it Yourself (VIY), who support young people not in education, employment or training to learn trade skills whilst renovating community places. They worked in partnership with Liverpool City Council’s legacy team ahead of the World Gymnastics Championships, which start in Liverpool on October 29.
Funding was provided by housebuilder Persimmon Homes, whose employees and apprentices also volunteered on the project. Leading paint brand Dulux donated paint and local Travis Perkins branch also donated materials for the renovation, with Sport England providing match-funding.
Tim Reading, CEO and Co-Founder of VIY added: "The collaboration between Persimmon Homes, Liverpool City Council and ourselves is the perfect example of community regeneration coming to life. The work undertaken by the young volunteers at Liverpool Gymnastics Club offers them hands-on experience and accreditations in painting and decorating and allows this important grassroots gymnastics club to continue to thrive and produce the next generation of gymnasts, just like Beth."
The young volunteers have been inspired and mentored by VIY’s Skills Mentors and professional tradespeople and will gain City and Guilds Entry Level qualifications as a result of their participation with VIY.
Cllr Tomas Logan, Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills at Liverpool City Council, said the refurbishment will benefit current and future users of the club as he added: "It benefits those young people who are part of the refurbishment, helping build their confidence and learn new skills which could help their employment opportunities in the future."
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