Breaking Boundaries Slough With Aarushe Singh

Today we are getting to know Aarushe Singh from Slough who has ambitions to become a physiotherapist and join the Army. Aarushe shares with us the skills and teachings she has gained through Breaking Boundaries. 


It aims to socially connect young people, their families and communities together through regular cricket engagement, fostering mutual respect and friendships by playing, spectating and volunteering.  It is being delivered in 5 cities; Bradford, Birmingham, London (Barking and Dagenham), Manchester and Slough.

Breaking Boundaries places communities and young people are at the heart of the programme as Aarushe highlights:

1. How did you become a part of Breaking Boundaries?

I was first introduced to the programme through the community organisation, 'Aik Saath'. After meeting with Kam (a member of the organisation) we began talking about the programme 'Breaking Boundaries'.

She knew I had a keen interest in Cricket and considering this programme had Cricket at the epicentre I was very much interested to be involved in helping the community through Aik Saath.


2. What attracted you to becoming a Community Champion?

Well, my love of Cricket was a driving force, as it's the sport that I am most passionate about. But when I found out more about the project the idea of bringing communities together and helping them overcome the barriers really appealed to me.

The opportunity to be a voice for the youth, to get involved in the community and be able to make a difference is what really motivated me to get involved.


3. What would you say are the best things you've learned through your training?

The best thing I've picked up in my training is confidence, we attend workshops to discuss the idea of community cohesion and how to uplift our communities.

This involves talking to a big audience of varied backgrounds which really helped me to get out of my comfort zone, actively listen and absorb the amazing conversations that were flowing.

I have also achieved Level 2 Cricket Coaching qualification through Breaking Boundaries which I'm proud of.

4. What is your most memorable event?

The Jo Cox Foundation's T-20 celebration was my most memorable event, it's held in honour of the MP Jo Cox and is such a truly wonderful event that helps bring people together!

The summertime event is such a great platform that really allowed myself and other champions to reach out to a vast number of people and speak about community cohesion as well as all the work we were doing in our local communities.

It was really good to see different organisations getting together, being energetic and connecting through the Cricket world cup.

I felt this was a really defining part of my experience as a community champion as it embodied the ethos of breaking boundaries and bringing together all ranges of people by using Cricket as a tool. 


5. What has been your most inspirational moment in Breaking Boundaries?

When I attended the January 2020 leadership training event, I attended after having spent a year on the programme and had the opportunity to meet new Community Champions.

It was so great to be able to share my experience and learnings with a new cohort of young people who had the same ambitions I do, to help people and create a more harmonious society. 

I was able to openly share my experience of being on Breaking Boundaries and aid in getting the message about my work through Breaking Boundaries out there more!


6. What are your hopes, dreams and ambitions for the future?

My aspiration is first to gain a University position, hopefully at the University of Southampton. Once completing that higher education I aim to become a physiotherapist and hopefully lend my skills as an Army officer where I can further my skills and help improve lives.

Breaking Boundaries has been a great opportunity to aid in improving lives of people and appealed to the caregiver in me.

I really enjoyed being able to make an impact on a community level and aspire to make a larger-scale impact in the future.


7. How will those hope, dreams and ambitions help to benefit wider society?

As a physiotherapist I will be able to change lives and support others, helping someone change their life and become independent once more is my way of aiding wider society on a micro-level. 

The way I see it is like a domino effect, you help one person and they go on to help others.

This will be achieved by working with the Army.


8. What key teachings have you learnt from the project?

There are a lot of pressing matters in the communities, bigger than I thought. I am lucky to have a lot of resources, when I look at the wider community, they do not have some of this.

My time with Breaking Boundaries has made me not only more aware but more grateful for what I have.

Direct skills I have gained include; time management, social networking and confidence.

The biggest testament to this was being able to address an audience of 50+ people in a theatre with key stakeholders present, that ability to deliver a confident pitch through public speaking is a skill I really appreciate.


9. If you had to describe your experience of Breaking Boundaries in three words what would you say?



Fulfilling (Making a difference in society that makes you personally grow)


10. During this period of lockdown do you have any advice you would like to share on how to stay active/fit/well?

Health is wealth! Mind over matter, for me I am trying to declutter my mind, having no routine has focused me to focus myself. I've ordered a violin and am learning Spanish.

Gain a skill, constantly learn, try something new that will help you, stretch yourself and keep learning.