Taekwondo volunteers support underprivileged children

Children at a pupil referral unit in north London are benefiting from personal development and physical exercise through taekwondo - thanks to a group of UCL students.

“We wanted to share the incredibly positive impact that the sport was having on our members with others,” explains Esther van Hoeve (Psychology and Language Sciences 3), Project Leader for Kickstart. “We thought working with a pupil referral unit here in London would be a great opportunity for both our volunteers and underprivileged children.”

The UCL Taekwondo Club set up the Kickstart volunteering project in 2019. The group work in partnership with the Octagon Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) in Wood Green, north London, and ARCA Generation, a charity which is helping to develop the skills of young people and enabling them to build a better future for themselves.

We thought working with a pupil referral unit here in London would be a great opportunity for both our volunteers and underprivileged children.

Over the two years since Odile Lehnen (Science & Technology Studies 3) founded the project, around 18 student volunteers a year have provided weekly lessons for more than 20 children at the PRU. One of the club’s certified black belts provides instruction, while other student volunteers help with kit, teaching and welfare.

The whole Taekwondo Club supports fundraisers to finance the costs of the equipment they use at the PRU sessions.

“We aim to have a positive impact on the children’s lives by encouraging them to take part in physical exercise,” explains Esther. “They also benefit from taekwondo, which teaches respect, self-control and self-confidence.”

Kickstart is one of the many initiatives supported by the Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service, which connects students with community volunteering opportunities across London.