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Testimony: 16 January 2009
Dr Henry has been working alongside Haringey Youth Service
delivering both workshops for young people and training for
Youth Professionals for over 5 years. More recently, Dr Henry
has been involved in training our staff and professionals
from across London via our regional training programme in
the area of Youth Gangs.
The response to these sessions have been phenomenal, Dr Henrys
vast array of knowledge both theoretical and in real life
practice/experiences has been well received by the delegates
who have attended his sessions over the past 18months. Dr
Henry enabled the delegates to discuss and explore the factors
and consequences of Youth Crime in a manner than enabled people
to feel free to outline their own fears; concerns and passions
on the subject matter.
The range of Youth Professionals have included Police Officers;
Youth Workers; YOT Workers; Learning Mentors; Housing Officers
to name a few. Dr Henry was able to address the audience in
an equally relevant manner despite the different engagement
and delivery styles of each professional ethos. He created
a friendly yet thought provoking environment giving the learner
an enjoyable learning experience.
Within Haringey, all of the Youth Service staff have undertaken
this training course and the impact on delivery has led to
a better understanding of both the factors behind the behaviour
of young people involved in gangs and this has led to a more
solution focused approach when working with them.
Seema Chandwani - Deputy Head of Youth Service
The Children and Young People's Service
Haringey Youth Service
TESTIMONIAL FOR NU BEYOND SEMINAR ON GUNS, GANGS
AND FAMILY.
Dr Henry conducted seminars with each of my tutor groups
regarding guns, gangs and family in June 2007.
The seminars were designed to challenge the perceptions of
the students and to enable them to critically analyse recent
events in London.
Dr Henry had a very calm, authoritative manner with the students
and had no problem managing the behaviour of the students.
Students developed a rapport with him very quickly and were
keen to discuss the issues he raised with them. They were
inspired by him and many related to him due to his cultural
background.
Dr Henry is pro education and highlights its necessity in
today’s society if you are to achieve success. Students
were encouraged to study to at least degree level.
Students comments included:
“ He made me think about what a gang is and if I really
was part of one. He made me realise that I need to do well
in school and not to hang around with the wrong crowd.”
“He made me realise that I need at least a degree if
I am to succeed and get a good car and a house.”
“He made me think about carrying a weapon for protection
and how it may be used against me or that a knife might soon
become a gun.”
“He made me realise that there are good and bad people,
not good and bad black people and that they are not the only
ones doing bad things, even if that’s all we seem to
hear and read about.”
“I enjoyed watching his video and realising that he
was important to our community and spoke up for us.”
I would have no hesitation in asking Dr Henry to come back
to the school and conduct further sessions with the students
on a variety of issues. He is a positive role model for young
people and I am very pleased my students were able to benefit
from him.
Amanda Morrell
Head of Year 8
Blackheath Bluecoat School
Barnardo's
LONDON, EAST ANGLIA & SOUTHERN ENGLAND GIVING CHILDREN
BACK THEIR FUTURE
In 2004 the Barnardos Kusadiki Service received training entitled
'Working with Diversity' from Dr William (Lez) Henry of Nu
Beyond Ltd Learning by Choice who had been recommended to
the service by other Managers within the organisation, Barnardos.
He constructed the training to meet our specific requirements
and delivered the programme himself.
I found Dr. Henry's style and approach to the subject matter
to be informative and facilitative to the learning needs of-the
mixed staff team of Kusadiki. The staff, having undergone
the training, were of a similar view that he was able to meet
their individual learning needs using a variety of training
methods from power point - group work, including tasks and
handouts.
I would be more than happy to utilise the training services
again in the future and recommend the company to other interested
parties/agencies.
Angelina Muhammad - Children's Services Manager
In spring 2005, Dr William Henry was invited by Octavia Housing
and Care to deliver Diversity training in three 90-minute
sessions to our tenant forum, the Tenant Steering Group (TSG).
The TSG is a particularly challenging group, consisting mainly
of white, middle-aged males and females who have had limited
in-depth exposure to the wider communities within which they
reside. The group has struggled over the past 4 years not
only to recruit members reflecting the diversity of tenants
housed by Octavia but, more worryingly, has repeatedly failed
to retain the involvement of those they have recruited.
Dr Henry's work with the TSG was held in closed session to
enable the fullest participation and discussion without the
involvement of Octavia officers. Feedback taken immediately
on conclusion of each session was extremely positive, with
the Chair and others describing the sessions as "excellent!".
It is fair to say that Dr Henry's completely unique approach
to the subject area and his individual style of training,
significantly aided the involvement, discussion and understanding
of the group. As a consequence, members of the TSG involved
in staging the May 2005 Tenant Conference, invited Dr Henry
to deliver 2 workshops on Diversity, both of which were very
well received.. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Henry
to work with any group or organisation, interested in genuinely
learning about Diversity and other sociological issues. His
authenticity has been a breath of fresh air!
Cecil Richards - Community Development and Tenant
Involvement Manager
WALWORTH SCHOOL
Lez (Dr. Henry) initially became involved with students from
Walworth School when they visited Goldsmiths University in
the spring term of 2002. Lez and a colleague organised mini
lectures and a seminar for 25 of our Year 11 students. The
key themes were stereotyping, the media and youth culture.
Lez was immediately able to engage the students using a range
of resources, including extracts from newspapers, OHP and
video. Although Lez is used to working with undergraduates,
it was obvious that he had carefully selected materials and
pitched his presentation at an appropriate level for our students.
During discussion, he encouraged participation and questioning.
Many of the students continued to talk to Lez about the issues
raised in the lecture and discussion, in the refectory during
the lunch hour.
Lez also came into school during the summer term to lead an
after school session with a group of year 9 students who had
been targeted in a project to raise achievement among ethnic
minority pupils. Again the session was enjoyable, challenging
and stimulating. His input supports our school's efforts to
broaden our young people's horizons and challenge their thinking.
We will certainly continue to draw on Lez's expertise and
involve him with
"target groups” and projects running at the school.
Ms Angelina Adams
(Assistant Headteacher)
Nu-Beyond Ltd has worked on behalf of, or in collaboration
with, the following public and private organisations:
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