Knights Youth CentreAnnual Report 2010/11

Hardship and Hope

Knights Youth Centre has been working

with young people for 75 years.

In 2011 we are still providing

opportunities, role models and an open

door for young people in south London.

From London SW2 to the Dominican

Republic, Knights is making a much-

needed difference in the lives of

countless young people day in, day out.

Knights Youth CentreAnnual Report 2010/11

One. Chair’s foreword

Two. What we do

Three. T.Y.L.A.P.

The who, what, where and why of Knights

Youth Centre. You might not know us, right?

Oh, and it’s our 75th birthday.

We can tell you what TYLAP is, but we’re

guessing you’d rather hear it straight from the

horse’s mouth. One of our amazing TYLAP

graduates tells you what she thinks of the

programme.

Contents

Dealing with hardship - on the balance sheet and

on the streets. Where’s the hope coming from?

Four. A year at Knights

Five. Mission: Dominican Republic

Six. dotting the i’s

Seven. Looking ahead

Phew. So much has happened in the last year.Here’s what’s been going on in each of oursections, plus a special look at gangs and girls(yeah - girls) and how we’re helping young peoplemake the step to secondary school.

You must have heard abou

t our trip to Rwanda, righ

t? And if

you heard about that, yo

u’ll know about Romania too.

Well, this year we went to th

e Dominican Republic. Our young

people did some incredib

le stuff. Have a read about what

happened - in our words, and

those of our partener

s and friends.

Our hope for the future.

The money bit

Chris began

volunteering with

Knights in 1973 and

has been Chairman

for 23 years. In

addition to his

voluntary work, he

is a senior manager

in Children’s

Services for an

inner London

borough.

Welcome to the Knights Youth Centre annual report2010/11.

In our statement of purpose, we commit to providing an‘oasis’for young people in the area. What is an oasis? It’s aplace of refreshment and sustenance. It’s a place that isdifferent from everything around it, offering hope within ahostile environment.

Sadly, the experiences of many young people on ‘the street’today can feel hostile. For others, there seems to be adisconnect with accepted societal values and aspirations.

Since we were established back in 1936, during a period ofnational turmoil, we’ve always sought to be accepting,without prejudice, favour or stigma. We have alsochallenged young people, and never simply accepted thatthings - or behaviour - can’t get better.

So what have the Knights been doing in SW2? (the oasis)We hope this report shows the range and quality of ourservices that are designed to engage and be enjoyed, butalso to challenge.

Perhaps its this range of services that keeps young peoplecoming to us each week. It’s fun at Knights and it’s safe, butit is also offers hope - an oasis.

Chris SaundersChairman

Foreword

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KnIghtS In numbeRS

75 the number of candles on our birthday cake this year

Our aim is to please

In the kids we believe

each one of them can achieve

As we look from a height

the future is bright

Don’t be a quitter – be a winner

We all need unite and agree that we can achieve

Whatever your circumstances there is always a chance

As a member of Knights your child will shine bright

Don’t conform to pressure – be your own person

Don’t give to receive

each session we run is shedloads of fun

From the peaks to DR our love runs far

As together we are KnIghtS YOuth CentRe!

5

This poem was

written about

Knights by

members during a

recent weekend at

Woodrow.

We thought it made

a great ‘alternative’

foreword. Enjoy.

An alternative intro...

We want to start communicating with our ‘Friends’ and

supporters more regularly.

Please help us to keep in touch with you by:

• Emailing us your name to

info@knightsyouthcentre.org.uk

• ‘Liking’ us at www.facebook.com/knightsyouthcentre

What we do

What we do

Knights Youth Centre has provided a safe, fun, inclusive and

engaging place for thousands of young people since 1936. It offers

a diverse service for all young people aged 8-24 regardless of their

gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability.

Where we do it

Knights is the largest provider of youth services in and around the

Clapham Park estate in Lambeth, an area of high social and

economic need. most of our members live in the area, but the

impact of our work reaches across Lambeth.

Our members

between 150 and 200 young people visit the centre each week.

many young people attend three or four times per week.

Our service

In addition to ‘standard’ activities, we provide sports coaching,

offsite trips, regular residentials, international social action

programmes, music and video production, specialised work with

girls, arts and dance, and access to It equipment.

Crucially, we also undertake targeted outreach with young people

who, through disengagement with ‘traditional’ services, are at risk

of involvement with gangs, drugs and anti-social behaviour.

Our apprenticeships

Knights has developed an innovative youth work apprenticeship

programme called tYLAP. tYLAP provides leadership, training,

qualifications and employment opportunities for 30 young people

aged 16 – 24 in youth and community work each year.

Knights in a nutshell“Knights is clearly

integrated with the

local community. It

has a strategy

outlining what it

wants to achieve

for young people. It

can evidence how it

is making the local

community more

sustainable.

“Knights’ work

helps vulnerable

young people

discover and

develop skills,

confidence and self-

awareness. The

skills they develop

will be invaluable to

them in adult life.”

Tracey Bloomfield,

JP Morgan

7

We aim to:

• Offer a diverse range of activities and opportunities for young

people that are enjoyable, challenging and informative through

which they gain knowledge, new skills and positive experiences

• Provide a secure and caring environment where young people

who are in the transition through adolescence to adulthood

can develop self-awareness and confidence whilst developing

positive relationships with both peers and adults

• enable young people to recognise their own skills, abilities and

limitations and offer opportunities to develop these. Create

possibilities for achievement, and help young people see their

potential and the contribution they can make to society

• help young people to: recognise prejudice and discrimination

both in themselves and others; challenge prejudice and

inequality when they encounter it; value difference and

promote equality of opportunity

• encourage young people to be involved in making group

decisions and develop understanding which will help them

make responsible and informed decisions about their own lives

• Offer young people advice, support and counselling in a

nurturing environment when needed

Our aims

KnIghtS In numbeRS

5,474 the number of times young people have attended sessions this year

“The leaders at

Knights are perfect

to meet the

challenges young

people face today.

These people are

heroes. We learn

how to be good

citizens in our

communities, and

organisations like

Knights are at the

heart of them.”

Nick Wilkie,

London Youth

8

9

A Christian consciousnessWhat does it mean to be a ‘Christian’

organisation in London in 2011?

Over the last couple of years Knights has

been investigating, discussing, reflecting

and questioning the Christian ethos of

our service. this process has been a

challenge for Knights and some of the

team. It has raised questions around how

we bring our faith to our work in a more

practical and noticeable way, how we do

that whilst still being totally inclusive,

and what our funders will think.

these questions have led Knights to work

with Rev. Dr bob mayo, our youth service

director’s supervisor. bob co-authored

‘Faith of generation Y’, a book that

focuses on young people and

Christianity, and how or why Christian

youth work can make a difference.

Working with bob and other

organisations such as Livability has

encouraged us to seek new ways to raise

a Christian consciousness within Knights.

As a result, we now do the following:

• An annual ‘dedication’ of the various

teams who work within Knights at our

Woodrow weekend. this is a simple

prayer of blessing for each of the

leadership teams and the groups of

young people they work with. muslim

leaders and trainees have joined in

• encouraging team members to pray

for the young people more often

• Seeking to find a ‘sacred space’ within

Knights where young people can focus

on god

• After each session the team share in a

prayer of thanks, blessing or grace

• being transparent and bold in

acknowledging we are a Christian

organisation and that what we do and

how we do it changes lives

this approach is not seeking to ‘press

gang’ young people to become

Christians, nor would it ever look to

undermine other faiths or religions. It is

about recognising that only are faith,

hope and love core parts of the gospels,

but also our work and the commitment

that lies behind it.

Our ‘Christian consciousness’ work is

funded internally.

Knights is 75Back in 1936, just three years before the onset of World War II,

the planet faced a time of fear and upheaval.

It’s altogether different of course, but in 2011 we’re also facing a

deeply uncertain world.

Knights has lived through it all, good times and bad. thousands of

young people have passed through the centre in that time, and

hundreds of adults have given up their time to support our work

in countless ways.

thinking back through our history, it is encouraging to see how

the deep faith and vision of a few people in the late 30s has lived

on for decades, and still forms the foundation of what is now a

thoroughly modern youth centre. the people are different - and

some of the issues too - but our aims remain the same.

here’s to the next 75 years.

Five years ago we published a written history of the Knights Youth

Centre – ‘Three score years and ten’. If you would like an

electronic copy, please get in touch.

More than 100

young men and

leaders from

Knights served in

World War II.

The club was

bombed five times,

but never closed.

10

11

1936 Knights boys Club established in Clapham Park

1938 Knights, already working with 100 people every week, purchases its first

premises, 5 Streatham hill, for £2,000

1939 Outbreak of World War II. more than 100 young men and leaders from

Knights left for service, and the club was bombed five times, but the club never closes

1946 the Knights Association of Christian Youth Clubs is formed. many Knights

volunteers go on to work across the association

1952 balham, highways, Streatham hill, and Crossroads youth clubs join Knights to

create ‘Knights Youth Centre’ for the first time

1960s Knights runs a hostel project, leasing a large Victorian house and providing

affordable accommodation to young people in the area who need it most

1968 Wey Island is purchased by the Knights Association of Christian Youth Clubs.

Knights still uses the facility in Surrey today

1970s Knights works with as many young people as ever, with five football teams

playing every Saturday

1984 Knights opens its ‘Skills Wing’ to develop young people’s practical skills to

help them into employment

1990 the Inner London education Authority (ILeA) is disbanded. Knights, and youth

centres across the capital, face dramatically reduced funding. the economy doesn’t

help, either

1994 Knights produces its first ever Annual Report, and launches the concept of

‘Friends’ of the centre

1996 Knights holds its last ever colossal jumble sale, raising £5,500. the sales had

become community events, running once or twice a year since 1958

2003 Knights building reopens after four months extensive refurbishment to

upgrade the facilities, including full disability access. A lottery grant was critical

2004 Knights launches tYLAP, its youth work apprenticeship scheme

TYLAP

“TYLAP is really welcoming, like a family

at the same time as a work base. The

programme sets you on the right lines

for what you want to do in the future.

For me this involves working with young

people. I currently work for Lambeth

Youth Council as a peer educator. TYLAP

has enabled me to experience youth

work on a different level”

Adedeji, year one

What is TYLAP?the trainee Youth Leader Apprentice Programme – or tYLAP – is a

unique initiative set up by Knights to develop young people aged

16-24 into experienced, qualified youth workers.

now six years old, tYLAP has worked with over 170 trainees. the

programme has an impact across three key areas.

Employment and education routes for young people

tYLAP prioritises working with young people who are less

engaged by traditional learning or struggling with their personal

development. It aims to help young people find an easier path to

qualifications or employment, who may not otherwise get the

chance.

• A chance to explore a career in youth and community work

• Recognised qualifications in and routes to further education

• new skills and experience to support moving into employment

• Challenging, rewarding and exciting experiences

Above all, tYLAP provides a caring support network that guides

and advises - we offer housing advice, support in a crisis,

references and even food for those that need it.

ultimately, the programme leads young people towards increased

confidence, higher self esteem and a sense of purpose for the

future.

“TYLAP is like a

family. I enjoy the

ways they bring

people together –

team building

games, trips, or

other ways to get

people talking. I

hope to achieve the

Certificate in Youth

Work. I like working

with children,

putting smiles on

their faces. Knights

is where people

come to relax, it's a

second home.”

Rianna, Year 1

KnIghtS In numbeRS

170 the number of trainees tYLAP has taken on so far

14

the tYLAP programme

Year one

Work with a local youth centre as a voluntary trainee youth leader, undertake

Introductory Studies in Youth and Community Work and attend additional training

to develop new skills

Year two

employed by Knights for 24 hours per week as an apprentice youth worker. Study

for a Foundation Diploma in Youth Work, Informal education and Community

Learning. Assist in delivering Introductory Studies to trainee youth leaders

Year three

employed by Knights as a student youth worker for 12 hours per week, mentoring

and supervising trainee youth leaders. Study either for a Diploma or a Degree in

Youth and Community Work.

Recruits for the sector

tYLAP is a three year programme that produces new and dynamic

youth workers for the future.

the blend of practical and theory-based learning helps young

people develop into qualified professionals. Working in a range of

environments and organisations, tYLAP trainees develop a well-

rounded balance of skills and experience that prepares them for a

career in youth work.

Role models for other young people

Crucially, young people on the tYLAP programme become positive

role models for other young people at Knights and in the wider

community.

Working with members from similar backgrounds week-in, week-

out, tYLAP trainees set a credible example that demonstrates to

young people that they have choices and opportunities they can

feel positive about.

15

“The solutions to

many of the

challenges we face

have to be

community led.

TYLAP is fantastic.

It's the third year

I've been here -I

know you achieve

great things.

“The jewel in the

crown of this

scheme is how the

young people are

learning to lead

other young

people.”

Chuka Umunna MP

A TYLAP transformationWith the help of TYLAP, Sharna Gayle

has gone from dole office queue to

talented youth worker and career

woman. We caught up with her to hear

her story.

Sharna – tell us a bit about yourself.

How did you hear about Knights and

TYLAP?

I was sixteen, living by myself. I’d started

a college course in childcare, but decided

it wasn’t for me after six months. to be

honest I wasn’t up to much, and wasn’t

doing anything. I was on jobseeker’s

allowance and had been signing on for a

year.

being on jobseeker’s allowance isn’t

good. You feel outside of the system. I

felt like I didn’t have any support. I was

on a budget all the time, and couldn’t

live the lifestyle I wanted. If I wanted to

go to the cinema with friends, I couldn’t.

One day I went into the job centre and

saw a tYLAP leaflet. It just asked: ‘want

to get into youth work? Can you work

with young people?’ I gave them a call.

So you joined the programme?

I managed to get a place on tYLAP. to be

honest, I wasn’t sure if it was for me at

first. It was just an option, something to

do.

halfway through the first year, I realised

it was. there was a great vibe from the

people at Knights, everyone was so

welcoming. I felt like I could connect with

the young people, who had been

through the same stuff I had.

but because I hadn’t taken the first half

of the year seriously, I didn’t have the

greatest chance of getting onto the

second year of the tYLAP programme.

but the team saw something in me and

challenged me to step up if I really

wanted it. I took that chance and did the

second year – it was my first real

employment.

but, halfway through the second year, I

found out I was pregnant. I completed

the year but, because I knew I was going

to be a mum, I chose not to apply for the

third year. I continued to volunteer until I

was eight months pregnant, though.

So what did you do next?

At first, I felt like I had failed – I wouldn’t

be going to university or completing the

16

17

diploma until after I had my son. but

when he was born, I felt a rush of love

and responsibility. I had to provide a

good life for him.

I finished my diploma, and applied for

university in summer 2010. I wanted to

get back into youth work, but I wasn’t

sure I’d get the chance on tYLAP. but I

spoke with the team, did an interview,

and was given the chance on the third

year.

I was a working mum about to go to

university. I took it seriously. the tYLAP

programme is flexible. I was able to work

with tYLAP, go to university, and be a

mum. the support from michelle and Stu

at the Centre was brilliant.

What are the benefits of the TYLAP

programme?

my confidence levels were boosted. my

communications skills grew – I could

communicate with other people, not just

peers, but organisations, management.

my writing has improved. I now feel like

a professional, and have a worthy cause

in changing the community.

tYLAP also provides role models. For me,

it was good to see Karis, who came

through the tYLAP ranks. It was great to

see a young person, not much older than

me, doing something that I wanted to do

and doing well. If she had hope and

ambition, so could I.

tYLAP gives people a chance. It gave me

opportunities I thought I’d never get. I

was a bit lost in society, and never

thought I’d go to university. now I’m in

the second year of my Applied Social

Science, Youth and Community

Development degree at goldsmiths. It’s

down to tYLAP – thanks to everyone

there for all they’ve done for me.

18

Young people in the area are facing

family breakdown, a lack of money, a

lack of education, and negative

perceptions of them in the media. It’s

difficult – the quick, easy solution is

turning to the streets, forming a gang or

trying their best to live the lives of what

is shown to them by ‘the media

gangsters’.

these vulnerable people need more

education about how to be a better

person in society. School can’t do that -

it’s just lesson, leave, lesson leave. It can

feel too structured – young people often

need the space to sit back, reflect and

develop their learning, rather than being

rushed from one lesson to another.

Knights offers informal education – we

communicate with and relate to young

people on a different level.

What does the future hold?

my message to young people who have

been through what I have – go with your

dreams, your goals. think positive at all

times. Ask for support, don’t be afraid to

get help. As for me, I can’t see myself in

a career sitting behind a desk. I have so

much more to give. I’m going to continue

to try and change lives in youth work.

It takes time, and it takes consistency,

but that’s what Knights does.

Michelle on Sharna

Michelle Marquis-Brorson is Knights’ TYLAP

coordinator. She gave her view on Sharna’s

progress.

Sharna’s transformation has been incredible. She

had a huge year of growth, giving birth to a son and

going to university, and the change in her was

incredible. She’s a new woman – absolutely on fire.

She’s a fantastic mentor to young people, has fantastic maturity, understanding of

the programme and loyalty. Since she finished year three, she has worked with us

as trainee tYLAP coordinator and does a great job. She looks after the whole

project. She writes references, personal development plans for apprentices in years

one and two – everything.

She still volunteers at the centre, is a fantastic role model and someone we can

really count on. She has a great career in youth work ahead of her.

It just goes to show what can be done if you stick with people. We are so very

proud of her.

2010/11A year at Knights

Much has happened since our last Annual Report. Last year we

spoke of our challenge to climb mountains. We still have

mountains to climb but there have been some serious

overhanging rocks!

We are in challenging times. however, in recent months we have

reflected on our service, priorities and how we are doing all we

can to maximise every resource we have to make sure the young

people who benefit from our service continue to do so.

I’m not going to talk about the challenges facing young people,

the community, the country and Knights - these are pretty evident

- but it is becoming increasingly clear to me that so many of the

young people we support hold little or no hope for the future.

Knights continues on a journey that will change lives. Knights has

provided a life-changing service for the last 75 years and will

continue to do so. however, we need to be more proactive in

reaching young people.

every young person who comes into contact with us needs to be

provided with tangible hope and tough love, whilse experiencing

a spectrum of positive alternatives that will provide immediate

impact with lasting, long term benefits.

Knights certainly won’t be a place for the uncommitted.

Stu’s view: reinventing hopeStu Thomson is

Knights’ youth

service director. He

joined us in 2000.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

11 the number of years stu has been with knights: our longest serving full-timer

20

We need to do more, and we will. this will include:

• more personalised support. that could be a mentoring

programme, pastoral support and prayer (if wanted) for each

young person

• every young person knowing and feeling that they are loved

and beautiful, especially those who feel they don’t deserve it

• Improved communication with parents and carers of the young

people. this gap is widening - we need to be more proactive

and effective

• Develop our confidence further to positively address the

behaviour and lifestyles of each young person. this needs to be

linked to how a young person understands not only their

‘rights’ but also their ‘responsibilities’

• Increase our drive and passion to communicate the story of the

Christian gospel within a recognised Christian community

(where all faiths are welcome and respected)

• the development of young people on tYLAP to be more

proactive with our young people

• Finding more training and development opportunities for team

leaders to enhance their impact

• this approach will again ask our leaders and trainees to have

big hearts and be endlessly selfless. this may appear

somewhat radical from the outside but it’s been at the heart of

the KYC for the last 75 years.

We need to find beauty in the most bleak and ugly places.

We need to enable each young person to find their beauty.

We need to show love to those who feel they don’t deserve it.

I hope this resonates with you and you can support us in this.For my girls (Ros, Ella & Megan), who give me the hope to continue.

“The people at

Knights are true

visionaries, and

experts at doing

huge amounts with

limited resources.

Its people really get

to the heart of how

to influence the

lives of vulnerable

young people”

Tracey Bloomfield,

JP Morgan

21

Section update: juniorsJuniors continues to be a popular session with an average of 20

young people attending each weekly session, rising to 30 during

the school holidays. throughout the year, more young people

have been discovering Knights on the recommendation of their

friends.

We have made good use of the spells of great weather to take the

members outdoors with trips to local parks and attractions – in

addition to usual club activities like cooking, arts and crafts, sports

and games.

the team continue to build good relationships with the young

people, either one-to-one or through group work. Several

discussion sessions, often based on movies or tV shows like

eastenders, have focused attention on issues like school,

relationships, personal hygiene and other life issues.

highlights included:

• the Knights Fantastic Summer Special, funded by the Lambeth

Youth mayor Fund, which ran for the first two weeks of the

summer holidays. Our young people enjoyed a residential at

Wey Island, including canoeing, bike riding, cooking and a

barbecue; a day trip to Littlehampton; outdoor swimming at

brockwell Lido; a multi-sports and activities day at battersea

Park; a trip to London Dungeon; and a thames river boat

cruise. We also ran a special programme over the easter

holidays

Juniors is open on

Tuesday and Friday

evenings between 6

and 8pm for young

people in school

years 4-7.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

8 the number of ‘residentials’ run by Knights this year

22

• taking part in the London Youth Rowing Challenge, helping the

team to win overall and receiving prizes for their efforts

• A brilliant half-term project break for the Juniors led by the

Year 2 tYLAP team. the week of on and offsite activities

included cooking, a graffiti workshop, a trip to the Science

museum and a meal at the music bar in brixton

• A fantastic contribution from the Juniors to Knights’ Christmas

showcase, featuring artwork, t-shirt designs, dance routines

and magic tricks. Our young people received certificates for

their spendid achievements

• An activity day at Hindleap Warren for eight of our juniors,

who took on team challenges, high and low ropes, rock

climbing and an assault course

Introducing Safe T

‘Safe t’ was a targeted youth work project funded by Lambeth

Young & Safe that ran between February and April 2011. Aimed

primarily at Year six students, it worked to help young people to

make a safer transition into secondary school.

Of course, changing school can be a pretty tumultuous event. A

new uniform, a new school, can often bring with it a new identity.

Safe t looks to address some of the potential issues that come

before they come up.

We ran a series of workshops for 12 young people both from the

centre and also the local telferscot Primary School. We looked at

the differences between primary and secondary schools, the

challenges that might be ahead and how to stay safe on the

street. Along the way the workshops encouraged new

communications skills, confidence and team working.

It was great to get year seven students – again from the centre

and from a local secondary school – to come in and facilitate

discussions and share their experiences. In many ways, their

advice was of far more value than ours! We hope to run the

programme again next year.

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“I get to see my

friends and have

fun. It’s helped me

get to know other

young people who

go to my school

better and now I

can mix with them

more at school.”

Sheyann, 9

“Knights is fun

especially when we

go on trips! I don’t

get bored during

the week and I’ve

now got more

friends.”

Alex, 10

Assuring qualityAssured Quality for Youth Projects (AQYP) is a dedicated

programme managed by London Youth and validated by City and

guilds. It provides help and support for youth organisations like

ours to reach quality standards in order to:

• Achieve lasting improvements to their practice and

management

• Provide a clear structure to plan and deliver support from

London Youth to youth organisations

• Prove quality of service being delivered to young people

• have young people, their families and funders recognise the

award as a sign of excellence

AQYP has been chosen because:

• It’s straightforward

• Progressive – through bronze and silver awards to gold

• Ideal for all kinds of community-based youth work

• Designed to show how youth work meets the key every Child

matters outcomes

• We will also need to be working to or at bronze level to

maintain our affiliation to London Youth

AQYP covers six key sections. these are:

• Safeguarding of young people and staff

• Diversity, equality and inclusion

• health, safety and resources

• Young people

• Staff and volunteers

• management and administration

We are currently working on the bronze level and it is our plan to

get assessed by the end of 2011.

If you have

experience of

working on quality

assurance systems,

enjoy it, and would

like to help out,

please get it touch.

24

Knights’ community forceIn September and October 2011, voting fever hit Knights…hard.

natWest had launched their annual ‘CommunityForce’ initiative,

which rewards local charities and community projects with £6,000

grants. the twist was grants would be awarded to those local

organisations that received the most votes on the natWest

website.

Knights volunteers went into overdrive, encouraging ‘Friends’ of

the centre, family, friends and local residents to vote. After the

three week voting period ended, we had received nearly 800

votes – the second highest number of votes registered by any of

the hundreds of south London organisations competing for grants.

hot news off the press: we were delighted to hear in early

november that we earned enough votes to win a grant from

natWest. thanks to everyone that voted.

25

It was a colossal effort to get hundreds of votes for the CommunityForce initiative.

While we were campaigning however, we realised that we would like to make

better use of our Facebook page to keep in touch with our Friends.

If you’re on Facebook, please ‘like’ us: www.facebook.com/knightsyouthcentre

We’ll be regularly posting updates from the centre, the latest from our tYLAP

apprentices, and images of past club life

from club alumni.

See you there!

The Three Peaks Challenge team

celebrate at the top of a mountain.

See page 34 to read more.

Girls and gangsAngela Robinson, young women’s

development worker at Knights, writes

about an old issue receiving new

attention.

You may have seen the trailer for a new

film looking at London gang life, a movie

that describes itself as an urban

retribution thriller.

the things you might expect are there:

violence, colourful language, council

estates. but there is one pretty crucial

way in which it differs from what you’re

probably imagining – the film is called

Sket, and the gang members are girls.

girls being in gangs, or at least indulging

in violent and aggressive behaviour, is

getting more attention of late. In fact,

theresa may and Iain Duncan Smith’s

new anti-gang strategy, launched in

november 2011, featured specific

proposals on the issue.

Some might find all this surprising, but to

us the idea is nothing new. In fact, many

of the girls that come through our doors

each week are just as likely to resort to

aggression or violence to resolve issues

as boys. We’ve certainly had to split up

girls fighting other girls, and girls fighting

boys.

Young women these days often feel

pressured to ‘shout loudest’ to be

noticed. there can also be fierce rivalry

between girls of similar age. many show

unshakeable confidence that they can

rely on force, even against men. Some

don’t realise how dangerous that could

be.

but while these young people might

seem incredibly confident, so often their

issues can be laid at the door of deep-

rooted self-esteem issues. Our celebrity

culture, and tabloid perceptions of

youth, can also chip away at self-worth.

unchecked, a desire for acceptance can

lead to some unhealthy ways of

interacting with others, including boys,

and is one potential driver of

involvement in gangs or other anti-social

behaviour. It can also lead to girls losing

any sense of the potential consequences

of their actions, or how their actions

could affect their reputation. At Knights

we try and break down these issues, and

having an all girls group is an important

part of that.

28

unlike boys, girls are sometimes less

likely to be direct about what they think

and feel. they can be more subtle.

unfortunately this means that important

issues can sometimes be less noticeable,

and it can be more difficult to get to the

heart of what’s causing them.

but we do what we can to strike up

relationships, and that takes time.

Running girls-only sessions allows us to

address things from a female

perspective. Our girls @ Knights leaders

‘man mark’ individual girls, ensuring that

there’s always someone looking to catch-

up with our members each week. We run

a mixture of group and one-to-one

sessions, and keep girls who can’t get on

separate when it’s needed.

We see everyone as a beautiful person,

and do what we can to reinforce that

with the young people we work with. We

also encourage each of the girls to be a

positive influence on their friends,

talking to them and taking a personal

responsibility for them.

We do see negative behaviour from girls

in the area, and there are definitely girls

who have affiliations with gangs. but if

we continue to challenge their

perceptions, thoughts and actions, show

viable alternatives, demonstrate worth

and offer positive role models, we can

channel their energy into something

positive.

You can read more about our regular

Girls @ Knights programme on page 28.

29

Four Girls @ Knights, not gang members!

Section update: intersIt’s been a strong year for Inters, with good growth in the

number of young people attending, especially girls. Members

are growing more open to sharing and accepting our support

because of the work of our young, vibrant and talented

leadership team.

highlights included:

• An educational and fun weekend with Urban Nature at

Hindleap

• Five young men completing the national Three Peaks

Challenge

• three first class young men serving the poor in the Dominican

Republic

• A crazy weekend of camping on the south coast

• A groundworks-led series of sessions based on community

involvement that resulted in our funky new mural on the

building. groundworks is funded by Young & Safe

• A number of fun offsite trips to a range of places from the

West end to box hill

• An ongoing programme of Mentivation workshops

Inters is open on

Monday and

Wednesday

evenings between 7

and 9pm for young

people in school

years 8-10.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

5 the number of young people who we supported at court appearances this year

30

Asked to sum up Knights in two words, Junior, 14, said: 

‘fun, educational’.

to describe the staff team at Knights, he said: 

‘always there, caring’.

Leading in the community

31

Knights Senior Youth Worker Stu Thomson has been the elected

Vice Chair of the Lambeth Community and Voluntary Sector

(VCS) Children and Young People’s Forum for two years. This role

provides mutual benefits for the Forum, Lambeth Council and

Knights. Here’s what it’s all about.

the Forum influences the way services are delivered to young

people in Lambeth. It does this by:

• Advising on proposed strategic developments

• Consulting on specific issues

• Feeding back on the success of new initiatives

• Driving the agenda on effective partnership working

the Forum is open to all VCS organisations actively working with

children and young people across Lambeth. It is led by elected

VCS representatives who also sit on the Children’s trust board. It

meets six times a year, but its members stay in regular contact

with each other and form special interest groups where specific

action is needed.

the Forum aims to:

1. Act as a consultative body in the formulation of partnership

strategy and policy regarding services for children and young

people

2. Provide representatives to sit on the Children’s trust board,

Local Safeguarding Children’s board, themed sub-groups and

joint commissioning groups

3. Capacity build for the VCS

4. Offer training and networking for the VCS

5. Achieve two-way communication between the VCS and the

Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP)

“We each have a

lot to offer, to help

shape policy, to

improve children's

lives, to help each

other”

Jackie Nunns, chair,

VCS Forum

Section update: seniorsThere has been a great record of young people re-engaging with

education this year in seniors, and positive responses to the

work carried out through Mentivation and our RE:INVEST

programme.

highlights included:

• Reduction in aggressive and negative behaviour and a huge

increase in the young people taking responsibility for

managing each other’s conduct

• enthusiastic involvement and productivity with Rolling Sound,

who provided a music production course funded through

Young & Safe

• two young people winning Jack Petchey Foundation

Achievement Awards

• helen morrell, a volunteer with Seniors, being awarded a Jack

Petchey Foundation Leaders Award

• Condoms being distributed on a regular basis alongside advice

and guidance on sexual health

• A leadership team growing in confidence, ability and creativity

Seniors is open on

Thursdays between

7.30 and 10.30pm

for young people in

school year 11 and

upwards.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

322 the number of onsite evening sessions delivered this year

32

Asked to sum up Knights in a word, Dwayne, 14, simply said: ‘experience’.

to describe the best thing about the staff team at Knights, headded: ‘helping with homework’.

Asked what he’d like more of at Knights, he said:‘educational programmes. help with literacy and numeracy’.

London’s heroesLondon Youth is a vibrant network of 400

youth organisations across every

neighbourhood in London that exists to help

young people be all they can be, whether

through youth action, youth work training or

tackling youth crime.

London Youth has had a relationship with

Knights for many years. We caught up with

nick Wilkie, London Youth chief executive, for

a quick word.

What are your thoughts on the importance

of youth work in 2011?

It’s a really hard, difficult time – we’ve all read

about the difficult economic climate, and how

it’s putting a squeeze on charitable

organisations. We’ve also all read about the

riots, and other reports on how young people

feeling alienated from our society. It’s not

going to get any easier, quickly. One in ten

young people in London have no

qualifications.

Of course, the skill and commitment of youth

workers – like those at Knights – is even more

important against this backdrop. the truth is

that good youth work works.

What role do youth centres play alongside

other services?

Organisations working with young people are

under increasing pressure and clearly need

more support. but no organisation offers the

whole solution.

I’d say the skills and lessons that we need to

learn for adult life aren’t all found in the

classroom. they often come from our

families, or from being a part of something.

Schools can’t shoulder the burden on their

own, and education can’t start and stop with

academia. After all, young people only spend

14 per cent of waking hours in school. Youth

work is an invaluable part of the mix.

The riots have had a lot of airtime…

Of course, few could say that the riots we saw

across the capital and elsewhere aren’t

related to wider issues around young people.

but causality is complex.

the mossbourne Academy, for example, is a

brilliant, brilliant school, but sits near the

Pembury estate where we saw the highest

activity in the riots. this isn’t a

straightforward issue, but it is clear that the

role of youth centres is as relevant as ever.

What’s the secret of survival for youth clubs

like Knights?

Well, at the moment it may well come down

to scrapping for every penny, and being

resilient. but the leaders at Knights are

perfect to meet this challenge. these people

are heroes. And we should be thankful - we

learn how to be good citizens in our

communities, and organisations like Knights

are at the heart of them.

33

Community renaissanceJ.P. Morgan partnered with Knights Youth Centre in 2010,specifically providing a grant for the expansion of the RE:INVESTprogramme. We spoke with Tracey Bloomfield, Vice PresidentEMEA Corporate Philanthropy & Sponsorship, to discuss thesuccesses of the partnership.

J.P. morgan has been investing significant time, attention, andfinancial support in the London borough of Lambeth, identified asthe targeted area for the firm’s ‘Community Renaissance’programme. this programme brings together local communities,businesses, voluntary groups, and the public sector to partner inan integrated way to deliver positive social change in thecommunity. this innovative approach has been recognised ashaving the potential to help “transform communities' in therecently launched Child Poverty Strategy, which sits alongside thegovernment’s broader strategy to improve social mobility.

We’ve decided to work in Lambeth because we believe we have aresponsibility to make our local communities more sustainable.We’re a large organisation, and we need to be responsive towhat’s going on in the communities in which we have a presence.through our philanthropic programming we have the power to dogood – for our clients, for our employees, and for people andcommunities around the world. It is important to our employeesthat we visibly demonstrate our contribution as a good corporatecitizen to the wider community.

J.P. morgan’s approach to philanthropic giving goes beyond solefinancial support. It is about sharing knowledge and skills, poolingideas and inspirations, and working together with both thecharitable sector and central/local government to identify andsupport transformative programmes and innovations. Ourcurrent philanthropic portfolio includes partnerships withorganisations who are strategically addressing worklessness. We

We woud like to

offer a big thank

you to JP Morgan

for their generous

funding that has

underpinned much

of our work over

the last eighteen

months.

34

seek to partner with organisations who are working towardstackling this issue in a sustainable and impactful way; ourobjective is to look at holistic ways of approaching both currentand future unemployment.

We decided to partner with Knights, specifically funding theRe:InVeSt programme because the work met all our criteria.having been established in 1936, Knights is clearly integrated withthe local community. It has an identifiable strategy outliningwhere it wants to go and what it wants to achieve for the youngpeople it supports. It can provide evidence to show how it ismaking the local community more sustainable. In working toprevent the alienation of young people, or the growth of gangculture, there is huge value in empowering young people to helpothers. Re:InVeSt, the tYLAP programme and the volunteeringprojects that have taken young people to Romania, Rwanda andmost recently the Dominican Republic are great examples of this.

Knights’ work helps vulnerable young people discover anddevelop skills, confidence and self-awareness. giving themopportunities to become more globally aware and understandhow they can personally make a difference is such powerful work.the skills they develop will be invaluable to them in adult life.

We support the Knights vision of providing a learning and supportcentre for young people. We recognise that they are experts atutilising their limited resources in a meaningful way. theorganisation truly understands the heart of how to influence thelives of vulnerable young people. We are delighted to partnerwith Knights in the development of the Re:InVeSt programme.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

19 the number of Certificate in Youth Work training sessions delivered this year

35

Girls @ KnightsGirls @ Knights sessions have continued throughout the year

with a variety of activities including cooking, arts and crafts,

fashion, beauty, dance, discussion and debate. Promisingly,

there has been an overall improvement in the girls’ behaviour

and attitudes – testament to the excellent relationships

established by the team.

highlights included:

• Running joint sessions with Inters to provide a different social

dynamic and an opportunity to work on their interpersonal

skills

• A girls-only residential weekend organised by Clubs for Young

People and held at PgL grantham. eight girls attended, taking

part in cheerleading, boxing, fashion workshops and plenty

more

• girls @ Knights’ very own photoshoot. britain’s next top

model better watch out! It was a great opportunity for

members not only to dress up and experiment with make-up

techniques, but also to discover more about how each of them

view themselves and their friends through photography

• Cooking and eating out together. these experiences have

helped the girls develop their cooking skills and try new foods.

It has also helped the team to buid relationships, having

deeper conversations and bonding time. Several issues have

been highlighted over a bite to eat that have subsequently

been addressed in group or one-to-one sessions

• the young girls took over and became the youth workers for

Girls @ Knights is

open between 6

and 8pm on

Wednesdays for

young women in

school years 6-11.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

1 the number of films focusing on girls in gangs released this year

36

“I come to KYC so I

can stay of the

street – it’s safe

and there’s good

company and good

activtities. I like

Girls @ Knights as it

gives us a chance to

hang out.”

Keisha, 13

an evening in July 2011. they ran a cooking session, planning

the menu and budget, shopping for ingredients and cooking a

meal for the staff

• Recording monthly video diaries over the year to track the

development of their thoughts and ideas

• One-to-one sessions, which remain an important part of what

we do, either during weekly girls @ Knights sessions or at

other arranged times. each staff member has been assigned

specific girls to meet with on a regular basis. Although the

meetings are very informal, the team have been able to build

on their relationships with the girls and support them on

various issues

“I like the youth

club because it’s

fun, keeps me

active when I have

nothing to do. Girls

@ Knights is like a

big family and it’s

an experience for

all of us to have!”

Chyna, 13

37

Knights ontour

Raisin’ D RepublicIn the autumn of 2010, with the

financial support of JP Morgan and as

part of the RE:INVEST programme, the

visionary and ambitious folks at Knights

kicked in to gear. The plan was simple:

recruit a team to raise funds by

completing a national endurance event

and go overseas to serve the poorest of

the poor. Easy, right?

this would be the third project of its kind

delivered by Knights since 2007: the first

two saw us take in Rwanda and Romania.

In January 2011 we recruited a team of

young people and workers to participate

in Raisin D Republic, this year’s

challenge. It consisted of two stages.

national three Peaks challenge

the three Peaks Challenge team Lucy,

Kedeesha, Sharna, Karis, travis, Leval,

Ziggy, Jamarie, Callum, Daniel, Shem,

David, Paul and Stu (plus mountain

instructors, drivers and chefs from

hindleap Warren and our own Angela).

the challenge: reach the summits of ben

nevis, Scarfell Pike and Snowdon in three

days. After just a couple of training

sessions on the north Downs, the team

gathered at dawn on April 28th and

started the journey north to Fort

William. this would be tough.

the team was immense. everyone

conquered ben nevis and Scarfell Pike.

Only Kedeesha was unable to complete

Snowdon as she had fallen ill. the team

shared, supported and encouraged each

other, carrying each other’s backpacks.

they laughed, cried and got each other

through it. We were blessed with perfect

weather and majestic views at each

summit.

Dominican Republic

three months after completing the three

Peaks in some style, the team flew out to

the Dominican Republic to support

projects working with poor communities

for two weeks. the experience was

delivered by mission Direct.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

3,333 the number of metres climbed during the three peaks challenge

39

Raisin’ D Republic

isn’t the first

project of its kind

for Knights - back in

2007 we took a

team of young

people to Rwanda,

and in 2009 we

visited Romania.

At the last minute sadly Daniel, Jamarie and Callum couldn’t make

it, but Symon and nat stepped up to the call.

Whilst in the Dominican Republic, we:

• Painted house window frames, shutters and doors

• Shovelled mud and hard core for building foundations, and

mixed and shovelled cement to lie on top of the hard core

• Wheel barrowed the mud, hard core and cement up and down

hills to be deposited in various houses

• Led on games, sports and activities such as face painting with

local children in two villages

• Visited two orphanages for severely disabled children

• Visited a local hospital that cares for people who can’t afford

mainstream healthcare. the team talked and prayed with

patients, and handed out ‘goodie hygiene bags’

• hand-delivered food and drink to feed 150 families in a local

village, and 300 children in two different locations

KnIghtS In numbeRS

4 the number of families moved to clean, safe houses in the Dominican Republic

40

• A number of the team personally committed to financially

supporting a number of children through school for a year

• Visited a project called Aqua negras (black Water) and the

locals. Aqua negras get its name from the sewage that runs

through its streets

• Prepped, sanded and painted a large workshop inside and out

which had been built to train locals in basic carpentry and

building skills

• Attended a ‘church in the woods’ service, leading songs in

english, Spanish and Creole

• tore down the old shacks of the families who were provided

with new permanent homes

• Visited two local schools to find out how they educate children

and to provide encouragement

We managed to take some time off too, using the time to take a

couple of excursions, chill by the pool, go on banana boat rides

and sample the local produce! the team deserved it.

41

Stu Thomson’s personal reflection

As team leader, these trips are defined by the team’s outputs and

the positive experiences of both the team members and those we

went to serve. the focus is therefore to make sure not only that

the team have a brilliant experience, but also that they give all

they can.

but against any measure this trip was excellent, and it was

excellent for a number of reasons:

• the preparation and experience of the two key partners

mission Direct and the Samaritan trust

• the level of tried and tested methods and programmes by the

crew on the ground

• A great team. not only were there the 13 from Knights, but

also another two families and two single people involved in this

two week project. It was refreshing to see the entire team gel

and respond positively to each other

• each member of the Knights team was immense. each one had

moments of pure quality and humility. this was especially

evident when the team had to be very personable with the

locals in the villages, hospitals and orphanages

• the Knights team made a special effort to look out for each

other but also give each other space when needed

• everyone was able to bounce back and put pettiness or

potential conflict to one side

• As the young people would say: ‘it was da belly’

42

Raisin’ D Republic - not ALL hard work...

A mission... for potential

KnIghtS In numbeRS

7 the number of new partnerships created this year - thanks

Mission Direct supports locally-led

projects to help some of the world’s

poorest people. It leads life-changing

trips for people who want to make a

difference. Tim Martindale, director of

overseas operations for Mission Direct,

talks through his experiences with

Knights in the Dominican Republic.

historically mission Direct hasn’t

typically worked with organisations like

Knights - we normally work with

individuals or families. but when Stu

thomson got in touch to talk about

taking 12-15 young people on a trip with

us as part of their leadership training, we

were happy to do it as the centre’s ethics

fit with ours.

Our primary objective is usually about

working to help the people in the

poverty-stricken communities that we

operate in overseas. but working with

Knights, and another youth group in

Leeds, has helped us to realise the other

transformative impact these trips can

have.

Working with the Knights group side by

side in the Dominican Republic, I was so

inspired by the value of the trip to each

of them. the way they threw themselves

into it at 100 per cent was incredible.

I was particularly inspired by a visit to an

orphanage for disabled children. this

was a totally new environment for the

young people from Knights. they were

perhaps a little hesitant at first, but

within two minutes they were all

involved, even the ‘tough guys’. they

were in there, feeding, cleaning and

entertaining the kids, showing

remarkable maturity as they interacted

with them.

At the end of the visit, the two ‘tough

guys’ didn’t want to leave. It was a

touching moment.

In my view, the key thing that makes this

a transformative experience is that, in

these environments, they were all put

into the position of being a role model.

they were celebs and mentors, having

44

the opportunity to show leadership if

they had it in them.

being surrounded by people who were

so destitute, and people who were so

pleased to see them, gave them the

feeling that they weren’t just there to

learn, to do what they were told. they

were challenged to make a contribution,

and were empowered to do something

to make a difference. they received huge

thanks when they did.

I imagine that in their day-to-day lives

these young people don’t often get to

feel like that. they probably feel quite

negative about society, and don’t feel

much love from it.

but this experience gave them an

entirely new cultural world view. being

away from home and among people less

well off than themselves, they stepped

right out of their everyday experience.

getting away from peer group pressure

provided an opportunity to open up and

to try new things.

And that’s what was at the heart of it.

here were young people that might be

on the margins of things at home. but by

the time the Dominican Republic trip was

over they had found new skills, self-belief

and understanding of how they can make

a difference. they had found new

relationships, too.

I very much enjoyed working alongside

the group from Knights and, of course,

Stu, who is a fantastic leader. We need

people of his calibre working with young

people. mission Direct is delighted to

have played a part in releasing new

potential for these wonderful young

people.

45

To DR and beyondLuca Bosatta came across Knights when he and his family were

paired with us on their trip to the Dominican Republic. Luca

wrote about the experience.

In preparing for our trip to the Dominican Republic, we asked the

organisers who would be joining us. We were told it would be a

group from a youth centre in south London. good, interesting, we

thought.

And so it proved.

the work you do on trips like this one, the things you see, can

have a huge impact. to share the experience with others makes it

all the more significant. We had a really good time with the group

from Knights, and really got to know them.

I was so impressed with the group. I expect many of them came

back to the uK more mature people. but it was them as

individuals that I found most impressive. As I spoke to them, all

prejudices were broken down as I saw the wit, intelligence, depth

and poetry of these people.

It was fantastic to learn what wonderful people they are, and

what fantastic potential they have, despite the difficulties they

face back at home. having got to know them, we felt we could ask

about those difficulties. What they told us was in their own

words. Aspirations at school. Violence. Fear.

So many times on the trip, the trainees were called upon to step

up, to make a difference. none of them flinched, they all came

through. Perhaps most encouraging however, was how they

We would like to

thank Luca and his

family for playing

such an important

and enjoyable part

of our trip.

46

talked about being involved in youth work. they were clearly

proud of working to help others. they talked positively about

plans for the future and applying for the next year of the

programme.

We – including my three teenage children, who shared hugs and

tears with the Knights apprentices when it was time to go home –

thoroughly enjoyed their company.

Weeks after the Dominican Republic trip, I joined the Knights

team and all the apprentices for a discussion and development

weekend. I was keen to find out what goes on outside of the big

trips. maybe the Dominican Republic was a one off?

but once again, I was bowled over. Joining in with workshops, I

saw the apprentices greet tasks with enthusiasm and ability.

I was really taken by Stu thomson’s leadership, which really

demonstrated the power and potential of good youth work. Stu is

a pro, expertly taking opportunities to give the apprentices

specific feedback. he is very encouraging, but always with

constructive, genuine and meaningful praise.

‘this is what I saw in you today’, was one such comment. ‘this

was a wonderful thing you did’, was another. It seemed to be

about affirming and encouraging real strengths and talents in the

young people.

to one apprentice, the comment was ‘I saw the real man in you

today’. It was absolutely spot on, and I don’t think that young man

will ever forget it. Perhaps he doesn’t get that kind of

encouragement normally, that kind of positive statement about

who he is. It was maybe even more impressive to see his peers

nodding in supportive agreement. I think he was moved.

What great work. Some of the transformations Knights achieves –

whether on the tYLAP programme or with members attending

normal sessions – seem impossible in the face of the news we see

on our tV screens every day. I witnessed so much potential.

We’re very thankful

for the commitment

and interest Luca

has shown in

Knights.

Luca has asked Stu

and one of the

apprentices to

deliver a talk at his

office to members

of a ‘family

network’ that

promotes family

values for business

benefit. He has also

offered to act as a

mentor for one of

the TYLAP

apprentices.

KnIghtS In numbeRS

776 online votes received by Knights for natWest’s CommunityForce campaign

47

Accounts

Income

expenditure

In 1938, Knights bought its first permanent premises for £2,000. In

1999 our annual expenditure was £35,000. But, after sustained

growth in the range of services we offer young people in the area and

the establishment of the unique TYLAP initiative, we are a very

different youth centre today.

As you’ve read, the world in which we

operate is increasingly challenging, with

far reaching implications. We enjoyed a

surplus at the end of the last financial

year (2009/10), but all funds carried

over were already tied up in projects

and commitments for 2010/11.

Sadly, the Hardship Fund grant we were

given in 2009 has gone. In addition, the

three year grant from Lambeth Council

to fund the girls @ Knights and Senior

Outreach Project Worker posts

technically came to an end last April.

Despite intentions to commission new

posts by that date, we are still awaiting

the outcome of Lambeth’s review. It is a

difficult time for all London councils, but

their support is paramount.

the result? We currently have a £40,000

hole in our budget, net of the surplus we

carried forwards. this was initially over

£80,000, leading to us having to let two

members of staff go as of 1st April this

year. In turn, it also meant that Stu’s

planned new role – mentioned in last

year’s report – has been ‘put on ice’.

With significant loss of income, it goes

without saying that we are making

increased and significant efforts to cut

costs, raise funds and submit new bids.

Sadly, we are competing for a smaller

portion of a smaller cake, and against

more and more other diners. We also

failed with bids submitted to BBC

Children in Need and the Big Lottery.

We have just enough reserves to

maintain current service levels until

march 2012. If we don’t find new funds

by then, we will have to make some

tough decisions, and the service we

provide will look very different.

It’s not all doom and gloom – we

continue to receive remarkable support.

the Walcot Foundation continues to

support the Walcot Apprenticeship

Scheme and tYLAP. they are great and

much-appreciated supporters.

JP Morgan gave us a huge grant of

£95,000 for a number of projects

including the trip to the Dominican

Republic – see our report on page 38.

this has been fantastic support that has

had a huge impact on our young people.

In addition, the Henry Smith Foundation

and Equitable Charitable Trust provided

new grants. We also received grants from

other partners including: Home Office

RIO; Lloyds TSB, Mercers; NHS; Elizabeth

and Prince Zaiger Trust; International

Bazaar; Jack Petchey Foundation; and

Clapham Park.

We live in troubled times – both on the

balance sheet and the streets. but this is

when young people need us most. We

would like to take this opportunity to

thank the many organisations and

individuals who have supported us over

the last year. hopefully this report

conveys the huge and ambitious range of

services Knights continues to provide

young people. Without your support, it

would not be possible.

49

It will come as no surprise to anyone that as a result of the

deepening financial crisis, the voluntary sector is really going to

feel the pinch. Small organisations will be particularly vulnerable

– that includes us at Knights!

It’s hard not to become obsessed with the financial climate, but

there’s one critical point I’d like to make: the secret of our success

is the experience and heart our team brings to the work. We have

a small hub of paid staff who are pivotal in their role to develop

and direct our wonderful volunteers, and our street savvy

trainees/apprentices (aged 16-24). If funding pressures were to

cause us to lose that hub, then our successful (and cost effective)

model of delivering our service would be at serious risk.

there can be no doubt that, as a small voluntary youth centre, we

face a bleak and worrying financial situation, and there’s no sign

that it will change much for the next three years. We experienced

a similar environment in the early 1990s and saw some

longstanding youth clubs in the area close, never to reopen.

We have to plan carefully for some lean years. We will refocus on

what we do well: building relationships, being available,

consistent and offering hope.

Our main offer has always been our heart and passion for every

young person who walks through our door.

We are here because we want to be. Interestingly, that’s what

young people seem to want and respect!

We celebrated our 75th anniversary this year, and we

Looking ahead

50

have no intention of this financial crisis being the point at which

we close our doors. but it is going to be really, really hard.

this report has documented so many highs from the last year,

from volunteering in the Dominican Republic and Sharna’s

success to our work with young women and our young people

winning awards.

be assured we’ll be writing to you next year with another

selection of similar stories.

thanks, as always, for your wonderful support.

God bless.

Chris Saunders

We would love to hear from you.

Email

info@knightsyouthcentre.org.uk

tylap@knightsyouthcentre.org.uk

Telephone

020 8674 4055

Post

27 Streatham Place, London SW2 4QQ

Online

www.knightsyouthcentre.org.uk

Facebook

www.facebook.com/knightsyouthcentre

Registered charity number 303282