OUR SERVICES

Most of our users are from Hackney, living in very dismal and deprived circumstances. We aim to provide useful and constructive opportunities and services to these disadvantaged young adults, including employment skills courses such as IT, basic to complex levels courses, bookkeeping, first aid, music classes, photography, singing/voice training classes and so on. Living in 2020 with technology and IT ruling our lives it is essential for a productive and successful future that each of these young adults are given the tools and skills to navigate this area. These courses not only give these otherwise sad and bored young adults something useful and positive to spend their days on, but also provides them with fundamental and crucial tools and competences for the future; to set them on the path towards a successful career, providing them with sufficient means, and enabling them to take their place as productive and positive assets to the community and wider society.

We recognize the need for encouragement and moral support which is the purpose of our “Big Brother program”. This provides every troubled young adult with a counsellor whom they can call a “brother” and to whom they feel safe to speak and share, express their emotions and feel valued and cared for. This counsellor/mentor is 100% there for them, with 24 hours a day of unconditional support, guidance and care. Big Brothers also accompany the boys on retreats and trips once a month, giving them the hope and confidence they so desperately need, and bringing real smiles to their dejected and sorrowful faces. We also refer our users to qualified and experienced therapists and mentors who provide one to one professional sessions. Therapists are supervised and cases reviewed for necessary steps and decisions to be taken. Specialist reading therapies are also provided to young adults who require specific help in this area. We also offer 1-1 learning support to those falling through the cracks in school, as well as drumming, music and art therapy sessions as needed.

We recognize the need for improving social skills. Therefore, we provide an evening program for these disadvantaged teens which provides a nourishing meal, social interaction with games, entertainment and activities. There is also music, dancing and singing, as well as motivational speakers to inspire our marginalized and isolated young users with the courage and strength to move on and develop their latent and dormant talents. This also gives the young people a chance to express themselves, make new friends, improve their self-esteem and confidence and feel integrated and valued in mainstream society. Our weekly Saturday meal is another chance for these sad and lonely teens to become invigorated and empowered. Our festival celebrations are highlights of the year and are enjoyed by all.

We recognize the need for health and wellbeing. Therefore, we launched our “Start the day” program. This encourages a positive and productive start to their day including an early morning wake up, motivating the young adults to eat a hearty and healthy breakfast, socialize with other young adults and spending time with our excellent and dedicated volunteers. It gives these disadvantaged young adults a boost and inspiration towards a successful and constructive day.

We recognize the need for physical activity, and so we treat our young adults various times a year (mainly half terms and holidays) to fun filled weekends and recreational retreats in gorgeous places, such as Wales, Bournemouth, caravans by the water and scenic cottages in the countryside. Each summer we run a holiday sleepaway which is always a great success and has a tremendous impact on these disadvantaged young adults. We also run a physical activity program throughout the year which includes activities such as cycling, sports and keep fit.

We recognize the need for life skills: Young adults who are NEET are five times more likely to have a criminal record than their peers. It is likely that for some young people, a lack of employment or education increases their chances of committing crimes. In times of crisis these young adults need lots of moral support, emotional support and practical help, such as counselling, talking therapy and 1-1 support. Financial assistance is also given to parents, wives and siblings of those in need, most frequently to parents of children and young people who are abusive, at risk of/or addicted to drugs. We work closely with Hackney Police, Homerton Hospital- Mental health, The Clubhouse, the Chabad Drug line, ensuring that suitable resources and networks are accessed.

We recognize other needs too. “NEET experiences are associated with a higher risk of poor mental health after 10 and 20 years. The risk of depression and anxiety prescription for the NEET group is over 50% higher than that for the non-NEETs.” We run a drug rehabilitation step by step program which employs qualified and experienced staff and CBT therapists to help those on drugs and to free them from their addiction. We also offer a preventative scheme for teens; this includes flexible volunteering opportunities with local charities, i.e. delivering meals, visiting and entertaining the sick, in non Covid times. This gives the young adults a great sense of satisfaction and a feeling of positive fulfilment.  We also plan to train them in learning the following: magician classes, art & crafts, clay modelling, balloon modelling so that they can entertain socially isolated sick, elderly and frail people thus healing and empowering themselves and others at the same time.