5 On It Foundation are over the moon to have been recognized by the Milton Keynes Black Excellent Awards 2024, which took place at Delta Marriot Hotel on Saturday 13th January, as the ‘Organisation which seeks to engage The Black Community the Most’. The award was presented by actor and presenter Richard Blackwood to local Team GB Olympian Peter Bakare and International basketball player Jordan Spencer, who are ambassadors for the local MK charity.
Known for delivering a range of sports and creative arts programmes, 5 On It tailor their activities to encourage and value cultural diversity amongst young people and allow them to step out of their comfort zones, learning long lasting life skills.
The local organisation takes time to understand what young people want and offer engaging activities – including basketball, football, netball, creative arts, YouTube and DJ workshops. Every programme is free, making it accessible to everyone combined with a wrap around, holistic offering which includes mentoring, healthy hot meals, fruit and prizes for completing challenges that positively stretch them.
GB Olympian, Peter Bakare said “We (5 On It Foundation) champion inclusion and I’m thrilled to collect this award with Jordan Spencer on behalf of all our coaches and ambassadors who are professional sports people. We want all our programmes to be inspirational, engaging and fun. It is so important to us that our programmes are free and accessible to all young people. We at 5 On It, are a group of professional athletes from different sports and backgrounds who managed to get to the heights of our sports careers from opportunities and the safe spaces within our community. Together we want to pass the same opportunities down to the next generation so they can excel in not just sports, but in life.”
5 On it Mentors
Pictured from left to right (Peter Bakare, Kai Williams, Jordan Spencer, Ruchae Wallton, Nigel Lloyd)
To see what goes on at Hang Out Camps click here: Summer Hang Out on Local BBC News (youtube.com)
Food and culture is a key element to the 5 On It Programmes. Jordan Spencer said
“Food and music really bring vibes, energy and naturally bring us as a people together and our programmes really celebrate different cultures within our community. Milton Keynes Cookery School provide a range of delicious lunches and we have local businesses such as Chef SoSo who also supports us by making Nigerian delicacies. Her jollof is the best! Peter is also a pretty good DJ at our camps!”
Check out a video of lunch at one of the Hang Out Camps: Lunch at Hang Out (youtube.com)
A key initiative created by 5 On It is ‘Gang Today Gone Tomorrow’ – an anti-gang activity that uses mentoring and sport to inspire and educate, especially those young people potentially at risk. With ex-gang mentors also joining the sessions and delivering talks, the programme positively impacts the lives of young people which, in turn, positively impacts the community.
5 On It Foundation continue to apply for funding to keep providing high quality, free sport and arts programmes for young people. They would love to hear from local businesses who want to join them in their drive to keep future generations healthier and happier.