Young people celebrated the end of an employment programme run by the YMCA and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust (DKHT) with a party.

A group of seven participants from across south west London have spent the last six weeks improving their skills in communication and leadership as well as developing confidence and reflecting upon their strengths and weaknesses.

The youngsters, who were part of the Get on Track programme, marked the end of it with a get-together at the Antoinette Hotel in Wimbledon Broadway with family and friends.

Anna L Harris, the Get on Track co-ordinator, said in her speech that her highlight had been to see them all work together as a team on the Community Challenge, where they decorated the walls at a nursery in Surbiton.

The DKHT support athlete, power weight lifter Monique Newton told the young people at the celebration event that she was immensely proud of them.

She said: "This was my first Get on Track and it really exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t expecting to get so involved, but I did, and it was really rewarding."

As well as decorating the nursery, the group were introduced to fire building and wood working skills and taught money handling skills.

Several of the young people will now carry out work experience with YMCA London South West.

The event was held on Wednesday, August 6.