To see the full video visit: YAA One Heart Festival 2024 (youtube.com)

Why this festival is important to us and the community:

This festival is important to us as an organisation as it provides a free, fun and positive event to the community. After a difficult number of years after the Grenfell Tower Fire we strive to continue reminding the community that they are supported. We also want to continue giving young people the opportunity to connect with local services and each other to build new skills, increase their social development and promote their future ambitions.

Through this even we are able to provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents in music and sports as well as engaging them in positive activities.

About One Heart festivaL

Our annual community festival aims to uplift and unite everyone in the community, welcoming people of all ages for a fun free family day and to pay tribute to Grenfell, bringing everyone together under “One Community”.

The One Heart festival (formerly known as the North Kensington Youth & Community Festival) was set up in 2017 following the tragic loss of two of YAA’s young members in the Grenfell fire. What started out as a youth festival has evolved into a special community event.

One Heart festival 2024

Our annual community festival took place on Saturday 22nd June at Westway Sports Centre from 12-6pm - a free, fun day full of entertainment and activities for all ages!

Activities included:

Football tournament hosted by Chelsea FC Foundation
Inflatable area including an Assault Course, Ultimate Wipeout and Bungee Run
An array of wellbeing practitioners providing massages, therapies, pranic healing as well as hair, nails and beauty
Interactive arts and crafts activities as well as circus skills and music workshops for children and young people
Interactive shows with exotic animals
Performances from local young performers on our main stage
Podcast, DJ and Gaming buses
Henna, face painting and braiding as well as barbering
Afternoon tea, bingo and dance classes for the Elders Zone
Immersive story telling activities
Local organisations offering their services to the
community via stalls
A Silent Disco with 3 varied playlists for all ages
A free meal and snack for all attendees

Impact:

2,504 attendees
local residents, community members and families and young people

26 partners
supported the event

8 activity zones

84 guests
enjoyed afternoon tea over 3 sittings

302 footballers
at the tournament

60 basketballers
at the tournament

26 performances
on stage

56 haircuts
at our barbering station

3250 savoury and 3000 desserts on the day

12 stall holders
local organisations providing information and activities

“I want to thank YAA for a really great day. I have children of different ages and I must say each child had a fun filled day. The children’s entertainment was amazing and so engaging. The whole lay out was great, with food being all in the same space. Thank you for a brilliant day.
”

— Parent at One Heart festival

“My family was at the fun day for 5 hours! it was the best one I’ve been to by far. Loads of different stations for all different age groups. My 14-year-old son was playing football and then in the inflatables. Me and my 2 daughters ages 1 and 7 must of walked around 3 times exploring all the different ranges of activities and having fun together and meeting to and old friends. Great way to bring the community together. I enjoyed a reflexology foot massage as my 7-year-old daughter got her nails done. Which was amazing as at home I don’t get 5 minutes to myself. The food wristbands were so handy and there was so many different types of food as normally I struggle with these places to feed my autistic girl as she don’t like anything new and the wrist band for the sweet treats was the icing on the cake! Thank you soo much for such an amazing day.”

— Parent at One Heart festival