Our 2026 Summer Programme
A Summer of New Skills, New Experiences, and 10 Years on the Water
This summer, Brixton Wings delivered another packed programme of activities designed to give our young people new experiences, new skills, and lasting memories outside of the classroom. From cooking and creative arts to broadcast media and rowing, our participants took on challenges that built confidence, teamwork, and resilience all while having fun.
This year also marked a special milestone: our 10th year taking part in rowing activities at The Dock and on the Thames a programme that continues to be a cornerstone of our summer offer.
This Summer's Activities
Cooking Workshop at the Garden Museum
In partnership with Passing Spoons, 7 of our young people spent the morning learning to cook koftas from scratch at the Garden Museum Café from kitchen safety and prep, right through to plating and tasting their creations together.
Two Temple Place Visit
7 young people took part in a guided tour of this historic house followed by a hands-on printmaking workshop, combining heritage, culture, and creativity in one of London's most striking settings.
Sky Up Academy Studios
A group of 7 girls, all under 16 took part in an inspiring, hands-on experience at Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree, immersing themselves in the world of film and television. Guided by industry experts, they explored the full journey from script to screen, took on industry roles, created their own short films using cutting-edge XR technology, and pitched their ideas in a professional setting.
Rowing at The Dock with London Youth Rowing
10 young people joined London Youth Rowing for a session that, despite the summer heat ruling out water rowing, still delivered an action-packed day: a tour of the boat bays, boat knowledge, indoor rowing, and time in "the tank", a rowing simulator with moving water.
4 Days of Rowing with Barn Elms
Closing out the summer holidays, our young people spent four days rowing with Barn Elms, tackling the tidal Thames and building real skill, technique, and confidence on the water across the week.
In their own words:
"Before the session I felt nervous about the boat capsizing, but once I got in I was able to learn and build confidence. Now I feel amazing, as though I could get in a boat whenever and go for a row along the river." — Natalie
"I was nervous about controlling my oars at first. After a few sessions I felt more comfortable in the boat. I also had a chance to try out coxing, which was fun." — William
"I was a little bit scared before I started, in case I took a dip in the water. I found it hard to get the technique at the beginning, but as time went along I got the hang of it and it became more enjoyable." — L'wren
"I found that when I was in the double at the beginning of the week I found steering confusing, but after two days it got better, so I was less frustrated and able to have fun." — Flourish
The Outcomes
By the numbers:
35 total participation spots filled across five activities this summer
7 young people at the Garden Museum cooking workshop
7 young people at Two Temple Place
11 young people at Sky Up Academy Studios, including 7 girls under 16
10 young people rowing at The Dock
4 days of rowing with Barn Elms to close the programme
10 years of Brixton Wings rowing activities at The Dock and on the Thames
Beyond the numbers, our young people gained:
New practical skills: from cooking and printmaking to film production and rowing technique
Confidence: moving from nervousness to genuine enjoyment, as reflected in their own words above
Teamwork and communication: working alongside peers and instructors across every session
Resilience and adaptability, shown clearly when extreme heat meant London Youth Rowing had to adjust plans, and our young people rolled with it, still coming away having learned boat knowledge, indoor rowing, and simulator rowing
A sense of achievement particularly across the four days with Barn Elms, where young people progressed from initial nerves to real confidence navigating the tidal Thames
Thank You
None of this would be possible without our brilliant partners. A huge thank you to Passing Spoons, the Garden Museum, Two Temple Place, Sky Up, London Youth Rowing, and Barn Elms for hosting, supporting, and inspiring our young people this summer.
And a special thank you to Barn Elms, as we celebrate 10 years of rowing on the Thames and at The Dock, a milestone that reflects a decade of partnership, growth, and unforgettable experiences for the young people of Brixton Wings.
The programme ended all Brixton Wings activities for the 2025/2026 academic year. It was a great way to finish our summer programme, letting young people try new activities they might not otherwise have the chance to do.
