Damba’s story: “Legacy is a peaceful place to me.”

Meet Damba*, a 16-year-old member at Legacy Youth Zone 

“I first started coming to Legacy because I was interested in football and that kind of stuff. Ever since I was young the only thing on my mind has been football and I knew some people from my school that came here to play so I wanted to try it out. The first time I came here, it felt good. Everyone was friendly, I kept myself to myself to be honest, but the youth workers were always there to help.

Legacy is a good place for me to come for my work experience and that makes me want to keep coming here. Everything I have done here, especially with Young Leaders and helping with events and tours, I can put on my CV for the future. I’ve always wanted to be a footballer, and Young Leaders has helped a lot with my coaching skills. When I train the younger ones on the MUGA outside, I like that they listen to me and if they need anything I can help them. Legacy has given me the confidence to know I’m good at something and I can share that with other young members. Sometimes the juniors can be annoying, but I don’t mind because I remember I used to be similar, and they are having fun!

This is my 3rd year at Legacy now and even though I first started coming here just for fun, my confidence in speaking with different types of people has come far. My first language is Ugandan, and I stayed there for a long time before coming back to the UK. I didn’t find it very hard coming back to the UK to be honest, but Legacy did introduce me to more people, like Reece, Peter, Levi and the other Young Leaders so I’ve got a lot more friends now.

Most of my time here has been spent outside or helping with events. During my GCSE’s I also stayed here to revise and use the Gym because my brother can be annoying at home sometimes, especially when I am trying to study. Legacy became a space where I could escape for a bit. Legacy is a peaceful place to me.

I would say there is one main thing I take from my time at Legacy that I have achieved but I’m not sure how to explain it. You know when you see kids alone and there’s are others playing further away, and they all look like they’re having fun? Well, when that person on their own doesn’t know what to do and wants to make friends, I always help them to make friends. I always say to myself that that’s not going happen when I’m here. That’s what being a Young Leader is about and that’s something I’ll always remember from coming here. I remember that someone is always there for you.

Legacy is the best Youth Zone in London! They should put a Legacy in Africa too; they should be everywhere!” 

“He even won the Outstanding Young Leader award this year, which I think means a lot to him. He’s got an amazing attitude towards the youth zone and the young people see him as a great role model.” – Angela Parkes, Volunteer and Staff Training Manager 

*name has been changed