YouthFest showcases the best of Redbridge's young people

Moreover, I am amongst the many young people in Redbridge who have actively enabled that to happen.

As a member of the Redbridge Youth Council who joined in June 2025, in the span of just one year, I have been given both the opportunity and the privilege to volunteer at several of their youth-led and youth-targeted events, including the 2026 Youth Election Announcement Evening and the 2025 Young Academic Achievement Awards Evening.

More recently, I was at YouthFest 2026 on August 18, which was hosted at Hainault Youth Centre, assisting in preparation and engagement.

Having seen it first-hand, I can say with full confidence that YouthFest is nothing short of spectacular.

Amongst the groups in attendance were Colours Of Redbridge, Police Cadets, RIASS, and more!

Jamal Ahmad says that investing in young people helps build confidence, skills and stronger communities (Image: Redbridge Council)

There were ample activities for young people to get involved in, including arts and crafts, CPR training and badminton.

Shortly thereafter, attendees, volunteers and staff alike indulged in food and drinks, prepared by the amazing staff behind the scenes.

As the day began to draw to a close, attendees were put to their paces through a thrilling teamed YouthFest Olympic Games challenge!

Although I myself wasn’t involved in the Games, it filled me with joy to witness the sense of enthusiasm and friendly rivalry from youths across the borough culminate in that single place.

Before officially closing up, we all gathered around in a circle for a brief, but significant, awards ceremony, whose recipients were based on votes from fellow young members and staff of their respective groups across the borough, including the SEND Youth Forum, Loxford Youth Centre and Hainault Youth Centre, amongst others.

Overall, YouthFest was a pleasure to be involved in.

Simply having the opportunity to give back to a community which has served young people, including me, well is something that I truly appreciate.

I believe that all youth events are win-win situations, for everyone.

For me personally, they give me the opportunity to be active and gain a reputation, and young people the chance to genuinely feel valued and recognised.

Those traits were abundantly apparent with YouthFest 2026, and I cannot wait to get involved in future youth events like this one.

For me, it is such a rewarding experience, and I highly recommend that other young people do so as well.

• Jamal Ahmad is a member of Redbridge Youth Council.