AMBITION and education for young people were the focus of a Black History Awareness Day at Trowbridge County Hall this week.

Organiser Joi Burrell laid on a series of games and talks in the Atrium on October 26 attempting to inspire young people to achieve their goals through education.

The event marking Black History Month, which took place between 10 – 4 was spilt into different activities, opening with stories, games and quizzes.

Guests were then treated to a 25 minute speech on the merits of education before the day was rounded off with an interactive steel pan workshop in the Cotswold Space.

Ms Burrell, chair for the Black and Ethnic Minority for Wiltshire Council, said: “We are raising awareness in celebration of black history but focusing on children and young people.

“With education you can achieve your goals in life and any individual can do what they want regardless of what someone might say.

“If Barack Obama can do it then anyone can. This is really about young people realising that they are able to do anything.”

During the speech, Sukdave Ghuman, 45, a lawyer in the legal department of Wiltshire Council, told a group of children about the benefits of a good education.

Mr Ghuman said: “There is a lower take up in ethnic minorities in many facets. I emphasised the importance of finding a goal and that this can be done through education.

“We concentrated on the importance of education, that with goals and aims you can achieve what you want.

“With education there is a clear link to health benefits and to happiness in general. If I can get through to one of them then it is worth it.”