Roehampton Youth Base spotlighted at Parliament’s International Women’s Day Event

Published: Friday, March 7, 2025

The role of the Roehampton Youth Base in providing a safe space for young women and girls was spotlighted at Parliament on 4 March as part of this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations.

Share this

Roehampton Youth Base supports young people aged 10-19 years old, or up to 25 years old for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Nestled in the heart of the community, this warm and friendly youth space provides a range of support and programmes to help young people thrive. 

The International Women’s Day event brought together influential voices to discuss the importance of gender equality, reflecting the 2025 theme "For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." – a call to address systemic barriers and biases facing women worldwide.

The base provides a safe haven for young girls, offering a range of empowering initiatives, including self-defence classes, mentorship programmes, and confidence-building workshops. These initiatives, co-designed with young people, empower young women with the skills and resilience they need to navigate life’s challenges. 

At the heart of Roehampton Youth Base is a passionate and dedicated team working to create a safe and supportive space where young people can learn, have fun, and relax. As part of this collective effort, Pat Ingram plays a key leadership role and attended the event in Parliament to share how the Base continues to make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives. 

The impact of Roehampton Youth Base has been widely recognised across the community. Kate Stock, Cabinet Member for Children, praised its contribution: 

“Roehampton Youth Base is a lifeline for so many young people. It provides not just a safe space but real opportunities for personal growth. We are proud to support initiatives like these that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Pat’s invitation to Parliament is a testament to her dedication and the profound impact of the team at Roehampton Youth Base.” 

Fleur Anderson, MP for Putney, also commended Pat and the Roehampton Youth Base team: 

“International Women’s Day is about celebrating the incredible contributions of women like Pat, who work tirelessly to uplift and support young girls in our community. The work happening at Roehampton Youth Base is vital, and I look forward to seeing even more investment in initiatives that empower women and girls.” 

Reflecting on the experience, Pat Ingram said: “It was an incredible honour to share the work we do at Roehampton Youth Base on such a significant platform. Every young girl deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered to achieve her dreams. International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still so much more to do.” 

International Women’s Day reinforced the importance of breaking down barriers and prioritising equal opportunities for women. Roehampton Youth Base exemplifies the power of communities uniting to support and uplift young women, showcasing what can be achieved through collective effort. 

Wandsworth Council is dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people, women, and girls. Our Youth Strategy goes beyond providing safe, warm spaces and support; it ensures young people have the platform to shape their own futures and are actively involved in decisions that affect them.

As Youth Mayor, Millie Quinn says, “It’s crucial that young people’s voices are heard and valued in shaping the future of our community, and that’s why I’m dedicated to ensuring their voices are at the heart of everything we do.”

Read more about how we are marking International Women's Day.

Find out more about our commitment to listening to you.