Meet Taijon: the 17-Year-Old building confidence in North London
As one of Blanco Activities’ youngest coaches, Taijon is empowering kids in Enfield with confidence and life skills that go far beyond football.
At just 17, Taijon is already shaping the next generation – helping young players in Enfield build confidence, resilience and respect through football
Where sport, creativity and confidence come together
Blanco Activities runs a half term kids camp and Saturday football club, and mentors young aspiring coaches, all based in Enfield, North London.
Blanco creates a fun and nurturing environment for kids and young people to flourish. It helps them build confidence and character, learn key life skills, create memories and find expression through a range of sporting and creative activities.
Respect, positivity and resilience sit at the heart of everything they do. Their motto says it all: Believe Achieve.
Going beyond the pitch
Taijon is 17 years old, has a passion for football and is one of the youngest mentee coaches at Blanco.
Blanco has been a real an eye opener for me, from where I was last year. I was someone who was lost and this community was there for me at that time of need. I now want those that haven’t previously had that support to feel found too. It’s a really special community; it’s now my family.
Blanco receives surplus food from Felix for their half term club, which gives coaches and families relief as free school meals aren’t available during the holidays.
Blanco Activities provides a space for kids in North London to stay active and socialise
Taijon helps redistribute the food after a Felix delivery, and has benefitted from it himself. He’s seen first hand the gratitude amongst families for the food and their disbelief that they could help themselves to it for free.
The food sparks curiosity too. Kids trying new, nutritious things, which fits right into Blanco’s ethos of nurture and balance.
There’s a real curiosity around the Felix food. You hear a lot of ‘mum, can I have this’ or ‘mum, we don’t ever get this from the shop, can I try it?’. Then they’re trying it and going back for more.
It’s not just about feeding kids, it’s getting them excited about food. Taijon continues, “You hear them say “let me taste this, let me taste that!” It’s so accessible to everyone.”
The food has changed Taijon’s own habits too. He’s trying new recipes, eating more consciously, and setting an example to the kids he coaches.
“My favourite was receiving a bag with lots of fruit & veg and being shown how I could make my own meal from it. I would never have tried this normally, but I made the recipe. It tasted nice and it was very good for me. It’s great to know I can get my fruit and vegetables, as well meat alternatives and it still tastes beautiful. It’s really beneficial to keeping me healthy.”
Motivating a new generation
Taijon is passionate about helping others find what they love, and what Blanco means to the community shows in everything he says.
“If Blanco wasn’t here, there’s a lot of kids around this area who wouldn’t have a club where they could come to focus on their personal development. There’s a sense of belonging here and mutual respect here. For a lot of kids it keeps them off the streets and away from any computers, phones or tablets. Instead, they’re being active, by exercising and socialising. It’s amazing to be able to help bring out someone’s true colours”.
Every action helps put meals on the table
How you can get involved