3 minute read
Local Heroes
(Because not all heroes wear capes)
Ronnie Mitchell
Advertisement
Perry James nominated Ronnie Mitchell as a local hero for the work he does as Youth Support
Worker Leader In Charge and his own experience with Ronnie helping him during childhood. Perry
says: “I didn’t have many positive male role models growing up, but Ronnie was someone who helped me enormously. He was always there whenever I needed help or someone to talk to. I will always be grateful for how he helped me when I needed it the most.”
Congratulations on the nomination Ronnie. How does it feel to be nominated as a local hero?
I feel very flattered and humbly delighted. Wow - thank you Perry. It’s such a nice surprise!
Can you provide a bit of background about how you became involved in youth support in Bromley and why it’s important to you?
I used to work for a printer but I often saw kids smoking and drinking on local estates and I would have a word with them because I knew their parents. One day a youth worker, Ann Grenville, saw what I was doing and asked me if I’d ever thought of doing youth work and that was the start of it. Over a period of time she encouraged me as did other mentors like Kathy Wicks, Desa Wood, Charlotte MacLeod and Linda King. It’s important to me because it provides a meeting point for youngsters aged from eight to 19 and up to 25 for those with special needs.
What do you particularly love about your job?
Interacting with young people at various stages of their lives. Without a doubt, it’s rewarding especially when you turn that tear to a smile. I’ve also found it very rewarding helping youngsters, who’d previously felt intimidated, feel welcome at a youth club.
What does a typical working day for you look like?
Each club is different, depending on the social background. Children act differently according to what they’ve seen. But typically, I open the centre, check previous debrief notes and set up the equipment like table tennis, board games, arts and crafts and IT.
Have you been involved in anything else community-related locally?
I used to run a Duke of Edinburgh Award programme which helped to empower youngsters. We got some placed helping out in an OAP home – they even raised funds for doing up the garden - that’s community.
What does community mean to you?
open for someone. The media gives young people a bad press, but I often see them helping an elderly person with their shopping. Again, that’s community.
What are your future plans?
I’m hoping to get some of the older kids connecting with people over 60 so they can learn new skills, like a partnership with the “People in Sheds” programme. I’d like to empower some of the youngsters to look after the coffee bar in one of the centres so they can learn about responsibility and get some business skills. I have this vision that soon there could be at least three other people who could be ‘wearing my badge’. They are the future.
What do you most enjoy about living in the Bromley borough?
It’s central, it’s diverse. It’s green, with open spaces and the Green Chain Walk. You can go seven miles through woodland. I took some inner city youngsters to see it and they loved it.
What message would you like to give people reading this?
Never give up. We can all read a smile, and we can all read a frown. Let’s keep that smile.
