It’s been an incredible year for the team at St James and St William, since choosing Streets of Growth as their Community Partner charity.
Based in Tower Hamlets, Streets of Growth is a unique and dynamic youth outreach and targeted intervention charity that seeks to re-engage at-risk and vulnerable young adults between 15 – 25. Their ‘Appropriate Intervention Bridging Model’ brings together lifestyle, environment, education and career progression to support transformative change and prevent relapse. These four stages are underpinned by a unique evidence-based cognitive behaviour system coaching model to build positive mindsets and resilience.
Throughout the first year of their community partnership, St James St William has been committed to building a proactive, trusting and responsive relationship with the team. They have been able to provide direct support to young people by hosting a site tour and careers insight at the Bethnal Green site, supporting holiday workshops and awards evenings. Having the opportunity to chat with ambitious and aspirational young people demonstrates the difference that the team at Streets of Growth make and their absolute commitment to every young person that they come into contact with.
The funds raised this year have significantly supported Streets of Growth's work with hidden young carers and our Inspire Young Women programme, providing essential resources for young girls and women who have experienced sexual and criminal exploitation, abuse, and violence. Furthermore, the funds have been used to provide vouchers for young people to purchase necessary items for school and job interviews and enabled Streets of Growth to offer more one-on-one mentoring sessions, giving young people a safe space to be heard, listened to and work through their trauma.
Fundraising is just one of the many ways that staff have had fun and got involved, including a ‘Gin Night with Fernando’ (whose true identity shall remain a secret…) and Soak your Colleague event. 18 runners are also taking part in The Big Half in August!
Darren Way, Founder, and Diane Peters, CEO of Streets of Growth, recently received the Medal of Honour in the British Citizen Awards held at the Palace of Westminster. This was in recognition of their 23 years of dedication, and for positively impacting their community and society.
Diane reflects on the first year of the partnership:
"The first year of our Charity partnership with St William and St James has been transformative for the young people and families we serve. This collaboration has significantly increased access to opportunities, providing mentorship, skills training, and employment for those young people facing barriers such as hidden young carers and young people experiencing exploitation and violence. Together, in this partnership we have improved vulnerable young people’s quality of life and contributed to the economic and social well-being of our young communities in Tower Hamlets. We are grateful for the unwavering support and dedication of St William and St James teams, and we look forward to working in partnership and achieving even greater milestones in the coming year."
There are plenty of ways to get involved with volunteering for the Streets of Growth summer programme, including assisting at eco-fashion workshops, or supporting at exhibition events, careers talks and CV workshops! Visit the Berkeley Foundation Volunteering Hub for more information.
Did you know that Streets of Growth runs a t-shirt-printing social enterprise that upskills young people in business management? Having already fulfilled several orders for several Berkeley businesses, Streets of Growth can meet your bespoke merchandise needs! Please contact Brooke.Johnson@berkeleygroup.co.uk for more information. Streets of Growth will have you covered. Literally. 😊
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