Wayne James’ Journey with Ecosystem Coldharbour

In the heart of Brixton’s community-building efforts, Wayne James, Youth Services Manager at MLCE, has played a pivotal role within Ecosystem Coldharbour. Before moving on from his role, Wayne shares his learning and reflections from his Ecosystem Coldharbour journey. Driven by a deep-seated passion to empower young people and build resilient support systems, Wayne has spent years working alongside families, grassroots organisations and local bodies to foster self-awareness, growth and transformation. Through every challenge, Wayne has remained steadfast in his belief that sustainable change must be driven from within the community itself.

A Purpose-Driven Mission

For Wayne, Ecosystem Coldharbour wasn’t simply another community initiative but “a unique opportunity to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing our young people and families.” He joined the project through his work with Spiral, a member of the Ecosystem Consortium and from the outset, recognised the need for systemic solutions. “It was crucial to bring the community into the conversation and empower them to lead on the solutions,” he explains.

Throughout his journey, Wayne has championed the importance of collaboration. He has worked to develop partnerships that extend beyond youth-focused programmes, bringing together community groups, schools and corporate businesses to demonstrate that “support comes in many forms.”

A Network of Care and Support

Wayne’s work highlights the importance of embedding long-term support structures into the fabric of the community. For Wayne, creating a resilient network goes beyond organisational support – it’s about investing in the people themselves and building a safety net that each young person feels is truly theirs.

Mentorship and Youth Leadership: Foundations for the Future

Reflecting on his role as a mentor, Wayne shares that supporting young leaders has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his journey. “Seeing young people step up, grow into their potential and then give back to others – that’s what keeps me going,” he says. Many young participants became youth leaders who are now actively shaping programmes in schools and setting a positive example for their peers. Wayne describes them as “a network built on mutual respect and shared experiences, committed to creating opportunities for others.”

Through Ecosystem Coldharbour’s partnerships, these youth leaders have gained access to resources and opportunities that would otherwise have been out of reach. Wayne emphasises that these collaborations have been instrumental in connecting with young people who might have been overlooked and ensuring they have tangible paths forward.

Self-Awareness, Risk-Taking and Resilience

A key message Wayne shares with his team and the young people he mentors is the importance of self-awareness. He explains, “We have to understand ourselves before we can truly support others.” He encourages us all to model healthy behaviours and embrace ownership of the change we want to see. “It’s about self-belief and the courage to take risks, even when the path isn’t clear,” he says.

He also highlights the need for a simple, practical approach that focuses on immediate, meaningful actions rather than being mired in bureaucracy. “Our work has to make a real difference – sometimes that means cutting through the red tape to get to what really matters,” he states.

A Vision for the Future

As Wayne prepares for the next chapter of his career, he reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave behind. His vision has been to create “an environment where every young person feels valued and knows they have options.” He adds, “My hope is that these young leaders will carry on this work, becoming mentors and role models for future generations.”

Looking forward, Wayne underscores the importance of community involvement. “There’s still a long way to go, and we need everyone’s help – families, schools, businesses, everyone,” he urges. The progress made through Ecosystem Coldharbour is remarkable, but he’s confident that the best is yet to come. Wayne’s journey is not over; he’s simply passing the baton, inviting others to take up the mantle and continue the work.

As he steps down, Wayne leaves a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire community. His journey reflects the strength that comes from collective action, dedication and the belief that real change is always possible.