Owner, manager and developer of student accommodation – Unite Students – partners with Streets of Growth, a leading youth intervention charity which supports disengaged and marginalised young adults. Unite Students is providing two floors of space at its flagship London property to the charity to allow it to undertake vital work in the local area. Until now, Streets of Growth has operated without a permanent premises. The move will see the two floors of Hayloft Point in Aldgate, London, become its first dedicated HQ.
“To be working in partnership with Unite Students, and operating from our new HQ in Aldgate, is incredible. This is our first long-term tenancy since we were established in 2001 and gives us, and our community partnerships, a long-term future – to ensure no vulnerable young adults are left behind, living in harm.”
Diane Peters, CEO, Streets of Growth
Streets of Growth will use the space for intervention coaching and creative activities to engage the young people it works with – including productions, filmmaking and textiles. The charity is partnered with the British Bangladeshi Fashion Council, which supports this work. The space at Hayloft Point already incorporates a dedicated performance space/stage, which will facilitate a number of these projects.
“We are proud to partner with Streets of Growth and to support their vital work with young adults. This partnership is part of our commitment to have a positive impact on the communities around us.”
Richard Smith, Chief Executive, Unite Students
Founded in 2001, Streets of Growth is a dynamic, ‘life changing’ youth intervention charity which engages with disadvantaged and marginalised young adults aged between 15 to 25. The charity works closely with the police and other agencies to tackle knife crime, gang culture and other anti-social behaviour. Its programmes aim to ‘break the cycle’ of criminality or hopelessness amongst the young people it works with, and ensure they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The charity carries out direct street intervention work and aims to support a transition into education and/or employment, running skills workshops covering a range of areas – from digital and construction to fashion and beauty.
“Growing up poor in Tower Hamlets is really hard. Around here, you don’t want to look poor because there are certain people who prey on those who are vulnerable – and that is the reason I got trapped into drug dealing. I was offered £100 to hold drugs but when they asked me to drop it off, they got someone to rob me – and said I now owed them £1,000 – and had to drug deal to pay off the debt.
“My mum met Streets of Growth at a community event where young people are trained to lead community action projects to improve the safety of the local communities. At first, I refused the invitation to get involved because I lacked confidence, but my intervention coach never gave up on me and visited my home for several weeks, helping with life skills. I am now ready to start their transition into employment workshop, which I will be attending at their new site in Aldgate.”
18-year-old explaining how the charity’s programmes changed her life
