Strictly Come Dancing performer and professional ping-pongist Will Bayley paid a surprise visit to Croydon’s Legacy Youth Zone in Whitehorse Road this week.
In the Zone: world champion and Paralympic silver medallist Will Bayley was back in Selhurst this week, passing on his advice at the Legacy Youth Zone
It was Bayley’s first public appearance since he won a table tennis silver medal at the Paris Paralympics this summer.
Joining in with one of the Zone’s “Beyond Limits” sessions, designed to support young people with disabilities to transition to mainstream activities, Bayley treated club members to a demonstration of table tennis action, sharing tips and skills.
Bayley was born with arthrogryposis, which affects the range of motion in the joints, and was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in childhood. Having studied at the BRIT School just up the road in Selhurst, Bayley was thrilled to be back in the borough for the event arranged by his personal sponsor, Wates Group, who are also sponsors of a wide range of social organisations in the area.
“It feels like home,” Bayley said.
Legacy Youth Zone opened in 2019, initially paid for and funded by the local council, but now entirely dependent on sponsors and donations, as well as income from its user subscriptions.
It is a hub for young people in Croydon aged eight to 19 years old, providing a wide range of activities in its well-equipped sports hall and music studio, as well as staging dance classes, cooking classes, wellness programmes, job skills workshops, CV-writing and job interview preparation.
Costing just 50p per visit or a £5 annual membership, the centre serves as a safe space where every day nearly 200 youngsters make use of the facilities. It also provides essential support through a range of partners, such as Shout and The Mix, to those facing challenges at school, home or elsewhere.
Team photo: Will Bayley shows off his Paris silver medal surrounded by members of staff and volunteers from the Legacy Youth Zone
Bayley spoke with his young audience about the challenges he faced growing up with a disability and overcoming significant health problems, and how sport became a powerful release for him, shaping who he is today.
“It’s important for me to give back to the community,” Bayley said.
“My experiences have taught me the value of both resilience and support. I hope to motivate young people to pursue their dreams in the same way I’ve pursued mine.”
Darren Davies, a youth worker at Legacy Youth Zone since it opened, said, “I try to be there for the members in a way I didn’t have when I was growing up.
“Creating a family atmosphere is a core value here, and we strive to create a nurturing environment where parents can also share their experiences and support one another.”
Wates Group has a record of supporting those in Croydon as part of its commitment to people and places. It has recently embarked on a housing maintenance contract with Croydon Council. It has sponsored Will Bayley for six years, as part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“Our partnership with Will is the sort of initiative that means we can help bring experience and inspiration to local communities as well as the other support we deliver as part of our purpose to reimagine places for people to thrive,” said Wates’s Jamie Clancy-Toomey.
“We are honoured to support this incredible facility and the amazing young people it serves.”
- Legacy Youth Zone is always on the lookout for additional funding and support from local businesses and community members. For more information on how to support, or get involved with the Legacy Youth Zone, just visit the centre’s website
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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