Former staff member and author Alex Wheatle MBE has sadly passed from prostate cancer. Alex worked as a drama tutor at SYCT in 2015 and 2016 during our Summer Drama Camp. Alex used his writing skills to support local children to develop their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Alex was also Project Leader for the Homework Club for Young Carers from 2003 to 2016. The Homework Club supports children who care for a disabled parent or sibling. The children ranging in age from 5 – 14 are given help and time to complete their homework, revision, and project work in a comfortable and supportive environment. In Alex’s own words he described the project, ‘Obviously, homework set by a school is given the highest priority but some of the themed work we do with the children has proven to be a great success. An example of this was the making of witch’s hats and cloaks that we did for the younger children prior to Halloween night. The sessions that consist of making and designing items that the children can take home has led to a greater interaction and bonding with the children and also a great pride in their work’.
His Homework Club colleague Angela described him as caring, sympathetic, and funny. ‘He just had this way of talking to them softly because he understood their background’. Streatham Youth and Community Trust wish to express our sincere condolences to his friends and family.
