what are people saying?
IMPACT STATEMENTS
Hear about what the NCGS experience is like from those who have participated in our projects, from parents, as well as from prominent figures in the community.
Imaan-Aged 16, 2025 (Peer Mentor)
I started my kickboxing journey at a young age and was completely new to the field, only being able to do a few basic techniques. However, with the help of coach Wayne, Jamal, and Shakeel, I was able to massively improve not only my skills but also my mindset and fitness. My hardwork and skills have been celebrated with receiving 3 AQA's across the years of attending the class, showing the milestones of my accomplishments.
Now, I'm honoured to have had the amazing opportunity of becoming a peer mentor and am proud to help others build those same skills which has been made possible through the support of Jamal and Shakeel and mentoring training programmes, which has developed my role in mentoring the young trainers that we work with. Whether it's improving technique, confidence, or just starting with the basics, it's inspiring to be part of their progress and watch them develop their own skills.
Arian - Aged 18, 2025 (Peer Mentor)
When I first started my kickboxing journey, I was a complete beginner with only a basic understanding of a few moves. I joined the sessions not knowing what to expect, but from day one, the atmosphere was welcoming and focused. Coach Wayne’s dedication and clear teaching style helped me build a strong foundation, while Jamal and Shakeel provided constant support and guidance throughout every session. The combination of discipline, encouragement, and structure in the sessions helped me steadily improve my technique, confidence, and fitness over time.
Now, after a year of consistent training, I’m proud to say I’ve developed both my skills and mindset to the point where I’ve taken on the role of a peer mentor. This opportunity has allowed me to give back to others starting their journey, just like I did not long ago. Being able to help and support newer members under the guidance of Wayne, Jamal, and Shakeel has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to keep growing as both a martial artist and a mentor.
Modesola - AGED 14, 2025 (Kickboxercise)
I've been going to kick boxing since August 2022, during their summer programme, where I had approached the skill for the first time. I then began going during school term time on Tuesdays and have been going ever since.
One reason why I like kickboxercise is because it is a vital life skill that is very useful in today's society. It let's you have protection from physical harm and gives you good qualifications that you can use to get jobs or get into schools etc. Another reason is because it keeps me fit; gives me something to look forward to on a Tuesday evening.
What I would say is my favourite part of the session is when we do the partnering stretches, then we incorporate the stretches into a new or old move and practice them.
I have already achieved the first two AQA's in my time at kickboxercise : Introduction to kickboxing and health and fitness. I did my first one a few months after joining and passed, earning a certificate and boxing gloves. A year later I then did the second AQA and earned a certificate for that one too. I am now beginning to work up to my third AQA of young leadership.
To sum it up, I really do like going to kickboxercise and will continue to do it every Tuesday. Thank you for reading!
Micah - aGED 11, 2025 (Kickboxercise)
For me, I like kickboxercise because it is a fun and enjoyable activity that let's you stay fit and have fun at the same time.
Kickboxercise is intensive yet relaxing and anyone who comes there can feel safe. It gives you the knowledge and skills to defend yourself if harm comes your way. When you come there, you can meet new people, just as me and my sister's have done.
The AQA's were a huge milestone for me and I am pleased with myself for being awarded one for 'introduction to kickboxing', and another for 'health and fitness'. Right now I am working towards my 3rd AQA called 'young leadership'. In conclusion, kickboxercise is one of the most universal and enjoyable activities that I enjoy and I would recommend it to many people
kEZIAH - AGED 8, 2025 (Kickboxercise)
For the past few years, my brother, my sister and I have been coming to kickboxercise and fitness. I have been coming to kickboxercise and have been learning a lot.
I improve my skills every time and sometimes go to the front with coach Wayne to demo the moves. I did my AQA and passed. I got a certificate, gloves and took pictures with the group.
I enjoy the warm ups and spars because in sparring, we get to soft fight and it is fun! And also, with warm ups, we get to do laps of running and I like that. I have learned jabs, right across, front kick, side kick, roundhouse and how to defend myself - in conclusion, you should keep on fighting, stay positive and be strong!
Amy T, 2025 (Kickboxercise)
“My son and I have been attending kickboxing classes since November ‘24 and it’s been such a brilliant experience.
Coach Wayne, Jamal and Shakeel are inspiring leaders, they take time to improve our technique and are excellent role models for the young people attending (and the older ones like me!)
The classes are fun and friendly, but challenging too, we always feel energised after the session. It’s a great workout as well as learning a new discipline. My son & I really look forward to class every Tuesday. We’ve made some great friends.
I’d 100% recommend getting involved and joining the kickboxing gang!
Big thanks to the coaches and the rest of the team at Norwood Community Project.
The lessons are good because they test your fitness”
Hugo and Laura, 2025 (Kickboxercise)
“Tuesday nights have become a non negotiable family date in the diary - we look forward to it every week. Our neighbours knock for us, meet my step-dad and a group of us walk down the road with our boxing gloves. The sessions are impactful mentally and physically. Coach Wayne, Jamal and Shakeel are such brilliant, kind and skilled instructors- we always learn something new. The sessions are Challenging, motivating and disciplined but encouraging, inspiring and egoless. But the best part about it is the community; training alongside the other parents you’d see at the school drop and of course, side by side with our seven year old-
it’s so valuable for him to see his parents enjoy excercise and we’ve seen his confidence and interest in fitness shine since he’s taken part. It’s clear how impactful and meaningful the sessions are to the other young people that come, that turn up week after week- learning how to look after themselves, their mental and physical well-being and learn self defence: I see how much they take from it. I go along for all of those reasons but I’ll still highlight some the changes I’ve seen in myself; fitness does not come naturally to me- I have to push to get there, I never would’ve signed up to a kick boxing class as I would have felt shy but it’s impossible to feel insecure in such a safe space. Since attending class - I sleep better, I can now do a full press up, I’ve bought some weights at home and include stretching into my routine,
and have decided the favourite version of myself is me after Tuesday night boxing and seeing the crew.
We love the whole thing and feel so lucky to be apart of this amazing group where everyone is welcome.”
Elijah, 2023 (Fitness & Self-defence Sessions)
“The lessons are good because they test your fitness”
Daniel, 2022 (Fitness & Self-defence Session)
“[the classes are] very energising, and helps me with discipline, stamina and confidence”
Jackie Meldrum
West Norwood, Knights Hill Councillor
Norwood Community Group Services Is one of the few groups working with young people in West Norwood and does excellent work. Your karate classes at The Old Library are popular and it is good to see your football programme making use of the excellent sports facilities at Elmgreen School. You work closely with the local Youth Forum ensuring young people have a real say over the activities and the young people have gone on to form their own football team. Such experience fosters confidence and self-esteem, essential qualities for young people reaching adulthood & seeking employment in these challenging economic times.
Government cuts are impacting on many public and voluntary sector services. Norwood Community Group Services is to be congratulated on a successful bid to the Capital Community Foundation. This grant funding will enable your organisation to continue & build on the last four years of invaluable work with young people in Norwood, helping them develop skills and gain qualifications. Many have already gained AQA, BIIAB and City & Guilds accreditation’s and are able to start work as security staff.
Norwood Community Group Services plays a key role in West Norwood, maintaining important links with other organisations and the wider community. As local people, you really understand local needs and how to meet them.
Congratulations again and thank you for all that you do. West Norwood is lucky to have you.
By Jackie Meldrum, Councillor for Knight’s Hill Ward, London Borough of Lambeth
- Leonardo Bozza, 2019
“the staff are friendly and dedicated, and the instructors are especially talented people”
‘I have been attending karate since 2012, Initially I never wanted to go to Karate I hated it, because I was lazy and was always put out of my comfort zone. However, in hindsight, I am so happy my dad insisted, because I have now realised that Karate equips me with the confidence, resilience and discipline (on top of other important life skills) that help me succeed. I have applied these crucial skills to my work ethic in school work, which I believe translated into the good grades I have achieved. I am sure it will continue to grant me success/enable me to succeed in the future.
Moreover, apart from the physical benefits karate brings, it is also an extremely enjoyable sport which can help free your mind and reduce stress.
Finally, I just wanted to highlight the quality of the teaching that is provided at NCGS karate club – the staff are friendly and dedicated, and the instructors are especially talented people who are experts in their field. The instructors that kindly give up their time thoroughly understand Washinkai karate and, if you listen to them, will really push you and help you fulfil your full potential.’
- Fernando Hunte (attended both Karate & Kickboxing projects), 2018
“Kickboxing and Karate are useful because it can make us fitter and it teaches us how to defend ourselves. Exercise is key in life and we do a lot of it. I love it, it tires me out but I love it. Mondays and Tuesdays are my favourite days of the week because of it. Also, I have made some new friends during my time there. And I’m getting fitter.”
Jane Pickard
Ex West Norwood, Knights Hill Councillor
Norwood Community Group is a successful ethnic minority-led youth charity in Knight’s Hill focusing on building young people’s confidence, skills and employment prospects.
I have known Jamal Rahman for more than 10 years and watched him grow the group from small beginnings at the Old Library, a building that was closed by the council for many years and only re-opened in 2004 after a concerted campaign.
Jamal started running youth activities there soon afterwards and in 2008 founded the Norwood Community Group (NCG). It is one of very few youth groups in West Norwood, an area which has historically been under-provided with youth centres and activities.
Since then, many children and teenagers have been engaged by the group in sports, counselling and jobs help. The group has also provided training with qualifications in doorman/security duties for some of the older members.
Sports include football after school hours at Elm Green School, boxing, kick boxing and karate, with young people gaining AQA certificates and British Traditional Karate Association qualifications.
I have attended several of the group’s annual meetings where young people are presented with certificates and the pride in their achievement is evident.
NCG has recently become part of the Norwood youth consortium along with the Rathbone Society which leases and manages the Old Library on behalf of the council and High Trees Community Development Trust, a respected voluntary organisation in the Tulse Hill area.
This follows the Lambeth strategy, formulated in 2012, of handing over its youth centres and adventure playgrounds to the voluntary sector in the face of budget cuts. The council established the Young Lambeth Co-operative (YLC), an independent charity, to commission and monitor the services with the help of young people themselves who are trained in these roles. YLC has formed five consortia in the borough aligning with our natural town-centre boundaries so that groups can share information and best practice.
The YLC’s approach means that youth services in the borough need to pass muster with young people who are often harder to please than adult commissioners.
The fact that NCG has done this is testament to its strong community links and simple yet successful formula of sport combined with character-building.
It has also forged links with various other community groups including Rathbone, High Trees and the Tenants and Residents Association on the Woodvale Estate in West Norwood.
I’ve always been impressed with what Jamal has achieved and feel it is essential that NCG thrives. Norwood, like the rest of Lambeth, has areas of high deprivation and just under half its residents are black or ethnic minority. Although school achievement is high, there are too many left behind, particularly black boys. It is vital that we retain youth services to engage these young people. Local government budget cuts mean that groups like NCG need financial support from elsewhere to supplement dwindling council funding. I sincerely hope that Jamal succeeds in getting this support.
By Jane Pickard, Councillor for Knight’s Hill Ward, London Borough of Lambeth, and Deputy Cabinet Member for Youth and Play.
Norwood Community Group Services is a Lambeth Champion & also received the Lord Scarmen Civic Award for providing recreational activities in West Norwood and the surrounding areas.
These are two quotes from parents who nominated Norwood Community Group Services:
- Rasaki
”I would like to nominate Jamal and the group because of their vision in providing timely services for the youth such as football and karate amongst others. These services give the youth such as my children something to look forward to weekly and keeps many of the youth from bad influences which would attract them if they were left idle. In Jamal there is a positive role model for the young men in particular and a caring a compassionate individual in general.”
- Louise
”I am nominating Jamal as he is an extremely friendly and committed person and is dedicated to involving local boys in his Friday night football club which he runs at Elmgreen School. Involving 10-18 year old, the football club enables boys of all abilities to share a common goal, to commit to a healthy and competitive sports club, whilst providing them with a safe and fun environment in which to spend their time.”
- Marcus Carter, 2008
“Since I joined the youth forum it has helped me build up my personal development, skills needed for the future”
IMPACT STATEMENT: Marcus Carter
‘I joined the NCGS youth forum sometime in January 2008 because I believed that I had some ideas that could be used positively through Norwood Community Group Services. Since I joined the youth forum it has helped me build up my personal development, skills needed for the future; for example punctual skills and also my communication skills. I have also gained AQA accreditation in basic self defence Kickboxing and first aid. These initiatives happened through me attending meetings and contributing with my own educational input and expressing the views of young people. Being a part of the forum has helped me, I was given a laptop to help with my studies, whilst attending college. Now a couple months down the line I am now running a football/basketball class with one of my fellow youth forum members which was designed by our forum of young people and also led by us. Great stuff!’
- Mikhail Preddie, 2008
“From the first time I got myself involved with NCGS in 2006 I knew it would help change my life and other peoples.”
IMPACT STATEMENT: MIKHAIL PREDDIE
‘Hi my name is Mikhail Preddie – football coach/Norwood youth forum chairman and security for NCGS events. From the first time I got myself involved with NCGS in 2006 I knew it would help change my life and other peoples.
I became part of the youth forum, this was to make help a positive change in Norwood. I was member of NCGS for a year, then I moved on to college. I returned in 2008 I got offered a job to become a football coach which I teach every Tuesdays @ Chatsworth Baptist Church.
I am also a Youth worker, NCGS referred me on do a National door Supervisor Course Level 2 which I passed.’