Fancy becoming the next Jamie Oliver? See yourself as a budding radio presenter? Ever thought of trying complex circus skills? Then W.A.Y. Superstars Day is for you! With a huge variety of activities, ranging from football skills to karaoke, Superstars has something for everyone. There鈥檚 also the reward of a limousine ride for the winners! Maria Chippendale is the youth activities co-ordinator for Worcester Action for Youth (W.A.Y.). I caught up with her to ask her about the scheme. 鈥淲e do a whole range of activities for young people in the 11-16 age group. In term time we take activity workers into the Worcester City youth clubs to give alternative activities to young people鈥. Learning through enjoyment W.A.Y. has been organising lots of events throughout the Worcester Festival, including a successful graffiti workshop at Brickfields Park and finding budding Steven Spielbergs at their film-making projects. So what are the aims of the W.A.Y. projects? Maria explained, 鈥淗ere the opportunities are geared towards helping young people with their confidence, self-awareness and teamwork, whilst they鈥檙e having fun!鈥 Enthusiasm is the key It鈥檚 amazing what this enthusiasm can do. In a short space of time, the leisure club鈥檚 car park was transformed into a fun workshop- the rodeo ride was warming up outside the entrance, a climbing wall had appeared from nowhere and the sound of African drumming floated out of the windows. Inside the centre, I met 鈥淭olly Style鈥 youth group and their leader. They were keen to voice their opinions on the Superstars Day. 鈥淭hese activities keep me occupied in the holidays,鈥 said Leah, one of the participants. 鈥淚鈥檓 really looking forward to the limo ride!鈥
Daniel, a fellow youth club member, added, 鈥淚鈥檓 keen to try everything.鈥 Outside the centre, as the rain clouds gathered overhead, I chatted with Chris from Youthcomm radio, and he told me about their role in this special day.
鈥淲e鈥檙e here today to get the kids to present a 5 minute show that will be broadcast over the internet鈥, Chris explained. 鈥淭he aim of Youthcomm radio is to encourage young people to get involved in radio by exploring issues that they are interested in鈥. Move over Chris Moyles鈥 The first youth group testing their broadcasting skills were split into three groups, consisting of two presenters, a group recording 鈥渧ox pops鈥 on the reality TV show 鈥淏ig Brother鈥 and a mini- interview about summer, scripted by Claire and Amy, both aged 13. 鈥淚鈥檓 a bit nervous about my voice being on the airwaves!鈥 giggled Claire. However, their fears were unfounded as the show went smoothly and the group let out peals of laughter at the sound of their voices on radio! Artistic talent Next, it was off to the Art Attack room, where I met the St. Peter鈥檚 Tigers, creating wire sculptures based on the W.A.Y. logo. Ben described the event as 鈥済reat fun鈥 and the group posed with their creation for a snap! Ride 鈥榚m, cowboy!
 | | Riding the Bucking Bronco |
The Rodeo Bull ride was also a very popular event- riotous laughter rang out across the playground as wannabe bull fighters fell off just two seconds after leaping on! 鈥淚t鈥檚 great fun鈥, panted one boy after he hung on for just over five seconds. 鈥淚f I keep practising, I could beat the 37 second record!鈥 W.A.Y. Superstars was certainly a huge success, as have all of their events this summer, Maria Chippendale informed me. 鈥淭he kids are loving it- they鈥檝e filled in evaluation forms at the end of each event so I think we will be repeating this in the future鈥. If you would like more information about Worcester Action for Youth, you can e-mail Maria Chippendale: maria-way@pyplc.co.uk For further information on Youthcomm radio, you can visit the website below: www.youthcomm.org.uk | 
