On a bright, sunny September morning 300 youths made their way through the car park and passed by the family groups queuing at the entrance to Thorpe Park.
They marched up to the gates – tall and short, large and slim, dark and fair, males and females. People at the entrance stood and stared. Some froze; some stopped talking while others whispered: “Who are they?”
The answer is that these were no stereotypical youths. There wasn’t a single thieving, knife-carrying trouble maker among them. Pill-popping posh kids were not present – the ones with strengths in all subjects but a weakness in everything else, which normally resulted to letting the family down and being expelled from expensive schools.
No, these young people were different; all dressed in colourful chinos and white long sleeved polo’s bearing the VYG (Victory Youth Group) logo. Something about them shouted that what was about to happen would leave a positive imprint on this theme park for years to come.
As the 300 VYG members reached the entrance, the manager himself welcomed them warmly. It was clear that they were a special force, a force for good. Smiling, the manager told their team leader how impressed he is with the work these youngsters do.
Who would believe that a crowd of 300 young men and women could walk together through a major theme park without causing a riot? These days, groups of young people are scrutinised by wary adults as they walk fearlessly through the streets and station themselves on park benches or walls, planning trouble.
But the VYG are about breaking that mould. They are the brave few that walk up to the shattered and broken hearted and install hope. Their Thorpe Park trip, arranged by the UCKG HelpCentre, was as much about showing that not all groups of youths are up to no good, as about having fun.
Of course, we’re not suggesting that the majority of Britain’s young people are trouble. The media does carry uplifting stories about teenagers, like those in Bradford who gave up part of their summer holidays to collect food for the homeless, but unfortunately it’s the bad news that’s remembered.
The good news is that in daring to be different, the VYG made a massive impact at Thorpe Park last Monday, where they enjoyed the Race of the Rides and promoted team work and unity. They sang their cheerful songs whilst in the queues, bringing smiles and laughter to others around them. Even the staff joined in.
