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Knights Youth CentreAnnual Report 2009/10
Partnerships and Progress
One. Chair’s foreword
Two. What we do
Three. T.Y.L.A.P.
The who, what, where and why of
Knights Youth Centre. And stuff.
Hang on, just what exactly is TYLAP, anyway?
We’ll explain all that, AND what we’ve been up to
for the last five years. Meanwhile Karis - one of
the first TYLAP apprentices - tells us what it
has meant to her, and a Friend explains how they
got involved.
Contents
The bit where we tell you what we’ve been
up to these last 12 months - in brief.
Four. Knights on tour
Five. A year at Knights
Six. Accounts
Seven. Looking ahead
How we took on social action in Romania andsnowboarding in the Alps. Oh, and a word from thepeople at Hindleap Warren, who we have workedwith for over 20 years.
Just a flavour of what’s bee
n going on. There’s rep
orts
on our special projects;
insights from partners
like
Streatham Police and Mentivation
; and introductions to
two great new people at
the centre. We also rem
ember
the life of Ron Saunders. Chuka Umunna, MP for
Streatham, gives us his views on Knigh
ts.
We’ve told you where we’ve been. So where are we going?
The money part.
Knights will celebrate its 75th birthday in 2011. Amidst the
history and heritage however is a dynamic, innovative and
modern youth centre, ever reinventing itself as times change.
This report tells the story of how Knights – aided by some crucial
partnerships - has responded to two significant types of change
over the last year.
Life is changing for young people in the area. The spectre of
involvement in gangs, drugs or anti-social behaviour looms large
over many young people who feel disenfranchised with
‘traditional’ services.
In response, Knights has worked hard to develop effective
programmes of targeted youth work to identify young people who
need support the most and provide them with positive alternative
options and attitudes to consider. This work is increasingly valued
by the whole system of statutory, community and voluntary
organisations working with disadvantaged young people.
This report highlights just some of our work with young people,
including a social action project in Romania, innovative sexual
health and senior outreach initiatives and our burgeoning youth
work apprenticeship programme.
More generally, the backdrop against which Knights operates is
changing, too. The results of May’s election precipitated cutbacks
in Primary Care Trusts, local authorities and funding organisations.
This deepened what was already a difficult financial, quality
assurance and commissioning environment. Increasingly rigorous
demands are being placed on reporting and demonstrating value
for money.
Foreword
4
Flicking through the pages of this report, you’ll read how we have
readied ourselves to respond to these changes and challenges.
Stuart Thomson, who has been with us for over a decade, has
taken on a new role that will allow us to take better advantage of
his experience of building effective partnerships and identifying
new funding streams. We also welcomed a new Senior Youth
Worker, Simon Minott, who brings huge experience of engaging
challenging young people.
We hope these key structural changes will make the youth centre
more responsive and dynamic in fulfilling the requirements of
partners and funders, whilst maintaining our ability to offer the
highest professional standards.
But no one organisation can work alone. Engaging the most
vulnerable young people requires partnerships with other
organisations. This report contains contributions from just some
of the organisations and Friends we have worked with over the
last year that demonstrate a model for how partnership working
can lead to a more diverse, effective and relevant service.
Hopefully, the report that follows brings to life how delivering
valuable services to young people is our overriding focus. I hope
you enjoy reading how Knights continues to provide a safe,
engaging and nurturing place for young people in the community
- just as it did in 1936.
Thank you for your ongoing interest and support of our work.
Chris Saunders
Chairman
Chris began
volunteering with
Knights in 1973 and
has been Chairman
for 22 years. In
addition to his
voluntary work, he
is a senior manager
in Children’s
Services for an
inner London
borough.
5
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 on
average. 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“Empowering and
providing
opportunities for
future generations
is at the heart of
what work with
young people is
about and I
congratulate
Knights Youth
Centre’s pioneering
approach in this
area.”
Chuka Umunna,
MP for Streaham
7
As a Christian foundation 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 experience
• 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 decisions
within groups 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 caring
environment when needed
Our aims
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
499 the number of sessions Knights delivered to young people in 2009/10
“There are no ego
issues working with
the people at
Knights: their
paramount concern
is the wellbeing of
young people. This
makes for a great
working
relationship,
sharing experiences
and expertise.”
Michael Dawswell,
Mentivation
8
“I like coming to Knights because
it’s fun and keeps me off the
streets. I enjoy meeting my friends,
going on trips and doing different
activities which have helped build
my confidence”
Keisha, 12
Wey Island is a residential centre owned and operated by three
clubs from the Knights Association of Christian Youth Clubs.
Knights has been taking young people for adventures there for
over thirty years.
The ‘island’ is a large patch of land in new Haw, Surrey.
Accessible via a rough track across a field, its gates open up to
an exciting green haven on the banks of the river Wey, tucked
well away from ‘street’ life. Two dormitories with full cooking
facilities sleep up to 24 people.
There is plenty of space for more traditional activities such as
table tennis, pool, rounders and football. Supervised groups
take to the river in the canoes stored onsite, and mountain
bikes are available for rides across the countryside.
Much of the work we do with young people takes place away
from the centre. Check out the ‘Knights on tour’ section of this
report for more on our escapades away from Streatham over
the last twelve months.
Wey Island
TYLAP
A TYLAP ‘graduate’, Ryan has been
offered a Youth Worker role at
Crystal Palace Football Club
150 young people have been recruited
76 have qualified in First Aid
48 have gained an OnC level 2 in Information &
Community Education
24 have gone into employment
12 have received a Foundation Diploma in Youth
Work & Informal Education
10 have enrolled on university courses
3 have graduated so far
1 is earning more than £30k
working with young people
1 has become a full time Youth Worker for Crystal Palace
Football Club
1 has established himself as a sucessful comedian on the
urban comic scene
TYLAP is five years old.
In that time...
13
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 five years old, TYLAP has worked with over 150 recruits. 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. Overall, it aims to provide young people who might
not otherwise find an easy path to qualifications or employment
with:
• A chance to explore a career in youth and community work
• Recognised qualifications in and routes to further education
• 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 always 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.
“We have always
been very
impressed with how
Knights grows its
own talent,
challenging young
people to develop
themselves through
helping others with
the same
background. It
works”.
Tony Smith
London Youth
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
32 the number of new trainees offered a place on TYLAP In June 2010
14
The TYLAP programme
Year One – Trainee Youth Leader
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 – Apprentice Youth Worker
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 – Apprentice Youth Worker
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 aims to produce a new and
dynamic generation of 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 students 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 recruits set a tangible and credible example that
shows how young people have choices and opportunities to feel
positive about.
15
A path to followKaris was one of our first TYLAP
apprentices back in 2004. She spoke to
us about her journey from ‘mouthy
Peckham girl’ to career youth worker.
How did you end up on TYLAP?
When I started the programme – which I
heard about through my brother-in-law -
I was a young mouthy black girl from
Peckham with a really bad attitude.
Being on the programme, I started to
deal with my issues. With the help of the
people at TYLAP, I have become a
professional and a positive role model
for others. Being here enabled me to
make the right decisions and choose a
positive path to follow.
What’s happened since you joined?
I was fast tracked onto year two of the
programme, became an Apprentice
Youth Worker and then Joint Section
Leader for Early Knights. In year three I
became Student Youth Worker and
Juniors Section Leader. At the end of that
year, the position of Assistant
Coordinator was created for me whilst I
started university.
And that’s what you’re doing now?
I’m now a tutor for the Certificate in
Youth Work, which many of our TYLAP
trainees are working towards. Tutoring
the course basically involves facilitating
15 work-based group sessions around
professional practice in youth work. The
sessions explore the views and values of
participants and include learning about
current government legislation.
You’ve been through it - what are the
benefits of TYLAP?
For Trainees, TYLAP allows them to gain
experience in the field, reflect on their
views and values, develop
professionalism, gain qualifications, go to
university and build a career.
Importantly, it allows them to think
positively about their opportunities for
the future.
Members benefit too – they get great
role models who they can relate and look
up to. They get meaningful relationships
that give them a sense of belonging. For
some, it also opens their eyes to a
potential career in youth work.
What’s the biggest challenge you’re
facing?
Challenging the views and mindsets of
members and trainees – encouraging
16
them to see life differently and think of
the bigger picture. In many ways, that’s
what we’re here for.
Life for young people, especially around
here, is changing. Community divisions
have become greater. Young people are
increasingly marginalised. The negative
stigmas and ‘labels’ attached to youth
are creating a self fulfilling prophecy.
All this means Knights probably has a
more important role to play than ever
before. Yes, the same issues have always
been there, but I think over time they
have become more prominent. Some
young people are living their lives in fear
now.
How important is it that young people
have somewhere like Knights?
It’s paramount. There isn’t much for
young people to get involved with
outside of school. But Knights isn’t just a
place to go. It’s somewhere where young
people are made to feel welcome and
gain an extended family. They experience
something different and can express
themselves without being judged.
On a personal note, what does Knights
mean to you?
I joined at a crucial time in my life when I
was vulnerable and impressionable.
Since then I have grown in many ways –
emotionally, mentally, physically and
psychologically.
TYLAP has helped me build a career. I am
not the mouthy girl from Peckham I used
to be - I am now the young lady and
professional that young people need me
to be.
17
Kathy Byrne is a training professional
with huge experience of working with
young people. She spoke to us about
how being a Friend of Knights for nearly
ten years recently led her to mentoring
TYLAP trainees.
Can you introduce yourself?
Originally from Pennsylvania, I arrived in
the uK via the united States Army where
I served as a Race Relations Equal
Opportunities Specialist in Mannheim,
germany. I qualified as a social worker
specialising in adolescent mental health,
but ultimately ended up moving into
training and development.
In 1991 I embarked on a freelance career
as a Management and Organisational
Development Consultant.
How did you get involved with Knights?
As is so often the case, it was almost by
chance - I heard about the centre
through the Chairman. I have always
been very impressed with the work of
the centre, and have supported its work
with annual donations.
How has your involvement changed?
I had heard and read so much about the
TYLAP programme, which does a
fantastic job of opening the eyes of
young people to potential career
opportunities and developing
experienced professionals for the sector.
Last year I volunteered my services.
In conversation with Knights, I agreed to
offer personal and professional
development sessions to the
programme’s trainees.
Sounds great. What did these sessions
look like?
We met for six incredibly interesting and
dynamic sessions. The group determined
the key areas and topics for discussion
for each, and preparation work was
needed in between meetings.
We worked on a range of topics from
personal presentation and creating a
professional image through to
understanding how to engage in social
conversations in professional settings.
We also looked at improving professional
vocabulary and verbal skills. In addition
to personal skills, we also focused on
how to effectively work in teams and
improving group decision-making skills.
Friend in the frame
18
What was your impression of the
trainees?
It is difficult to convey in words quite
how impressed I was with the energy,
commitment and engagement the group
brought to each of our meetings. Their
sheer determination to make their lives –
and the lives of the young people they
work with – safer and more fulfilled
deserves the highest praise, admiration
and our ongoing support. It was a pure
pleasure meeting and working with such
amazing young people.
Any messages for other current or
future Friends?
Well, perhaps just a word in the ear for
any training professionals out there. If
you want a blast of renewed motivation
and inspiration, then look no further
than giving your time and talents to
Knights to find a personally and
professionally rewarding experience. I
sincerely hope I get other opportunities
to be involved.
Being a FriendOver the last year we have seen the number of people wanting to
become a Friend of the youth centre steadily increase. This is
reflected not only in the number of donations we receive, but also
in offers of practical assistance.
Some examples of these offers include:
• A Structural Engineer giving his time to negotiate a ‘party wall
agreement’ with the housing association building a new block
of flats nest to the centre
• A consultant offering group mentoring sessions to TYLAP’s Year
two trainees, and two further friends who have become
coaches to named year one trainees for a twelve month period
• A senior manager in a recruitment agency offering working
experience days for older Knights members
Funding organisations are impressed that we have such a diverse
range of Friends that want to be associated with Knights. A list of
all our friends can be found on our website.
If you have any skills or experience that could benefit the centre –
from accountancy to carpentry – and would like to get involved,
please do get in touch.
We would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch
with Stu on
020 8674 4055.
19
Knights ontour
Raisin’ RomaniaIn September 2009, Knights embarked
on a mission to take on a ten day social
action project in Lunca Bradului, a small,
immensely deprived and remote village
in the Carparthian Mountains of
Romania.
The team making the journey consisted
of seven young people, two youth
workers and two film makers.
The group had already demonstrated
their ability to overcome adversity and
burst through the pain barrier by
completing the River Wye 100 Mile
Kayak Challenge in May (for the record,
ours was the fastest Kayak team). The
Challenge was completed in just over
three days and, in addition to
sponsorship raised from elsewhere, the
team raised more than £5,000 for the
Romania project.
A couple of months later, the team found
themselves in the mountains of
Romania, supporting the work of Integro
Ministries and in particular the Bridge of
Love project. After a morning on the high
ropes, which included a huge, valley-
spanning zip wire that crossed both a
river and a road, the team were ready for
action.
unfortunately, their first experience of
Lunca Bradului ended in a volatile
incident instigated by two locals, one the
local Police officer. All of a sudden the
entire trip was at risk.
As it turned out, it was a significant
turning point in the journey. The team,
many of which may have dealt with such
an event in a far more negative and
aggressive manner in South London,
remained calm throughout.
The following morning they were ready
and willing to return to the village and
finish what they had started,
demonstrating not only their fantastic
strength of character but also their deep
sense of commitment to the mission
they had started building together back
on the river Wye.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
53,643 the number of strokes per person during the 100 mile challenge
21
The team got stuck into work quickly, starting with the house of a
local family (a couple, three teenage daughters, a teenage son
and four year old boy) which had just two bedrooms and one
bathroom. They worked round the clock to build an entirely new
room, which virtually doubled the size of the house. The
extension had to be built from scratch using second hand logs
which the team cut and grooved to size with rudimentary tools.
The family were delighted with the extension, and also the garden
fence the team built them to help crops grow without being eaten
by the free-roaming local cows, chickens and horses.
Elsewhere, a spontaneous project saw the group make life easier
for locals by repairing a dilapidated footbridge. With the help of a
large number of local children, the team also brought some colour
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
2,660 the number of miles travelled from London to Lunca and back
22
to the main road by planning and painting a huge mural showing
landmarks from both London and Lunca.
Aside from building, repairing and painting, the team spent time
working with local young people. They invited more than sixty
kids to their cabin for a day of face painting, football, basketball
and team games, ending with a barbecue and a good old-
fashioned party. The children all went home with useful goodies
such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries.
The team were absolutely immense, from the beginning of the
project - training for the Kayak Challenge - right through to
building, playing football amidst cows and learning Romanian
phrases. Our thanks go to Helen, Este, gary, Denis, Marie, Manni,
CJ, Petra and Symon.
A special mention also goes to Paul Burt and David Shepherd, who
gave up their time to film the project. Copies of the excellent film
are available at Knights for £10.
Raisin’ Romania
isn’t the first
project of its kind
for Knights - back in
2007 we took a
team of young
people to Rwanda.
Our thoughts are
now turning to
2011.
23
Snow campSnow Camp is a youth charity providing young people from
London’s inner city areas with the chance to experience
mountain sports. As well as skiing and snowboarding, Snow
Camp also includes a life skills course designed to enable young
people to reflect on the key issues that impact their lives.
Knights member Symon wanted to go to Snow Camp, and applied
to the Youth Opportunity Fund for support. The bid was
successful and, in early April 2010, Knights Youth Centre went to
Vars, a stunning location nestled high in the French Alps close to
the Italian border.
Symon, Josh, Denis and Stu from Knights joined 170 other young
people from London to learn to ski and snowboard and take part
in evening sessions linked to what they had learned on the slopes.
The first two days took in the basics – involving a number of ‘face
plants’ in the snow – but the group didn’t care.
By day three, the Knights four were ready for a red run – the
second hardest slope you can go down. Despite the best efforts of
a raging blizzard, the group all made it to the bottom in one piece.
By the end of the week, and with injuries mounting, everyone was
completing red and blue runs from the very top of the mountains.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
23 the average age of Knights youth workers
24
Snow Camp: A tiring but unforgettable experience for
all. Check out a video of what we got up to at
www.snow-camp.co.uk.
Changing attitudesKnights has taken young people to
Hindleap Warren – a London Youth
outdoor education centre set high in
Ashdown Forest – for over 20 years.
Tony Smith, Centre Manager at
Hindleap, explains how getting out of
town helps young people to think
differently.
I remember Knights bringing young
people to Hindleap Warren since my
earliest working days at the centre some
twenty years ago.
Whether in 1990 or in 2010 however,
Knights members have come to Hindleap
to experience something totally
different. Whether on a ‘residential’ or a
day course, each member has faced
personal and team challenges that have
given them new perspectives on life back
at home.
Many disadvantaged young people feel
like they haven’t got a chance.
Vulnerable and locked into hostile
environments, they feel that they have to
behave in a certain way to survive. For
many, a fear of failure is so acute that
they simply don’t try.
When Knights – or any of the youth
groups we work with – bring young
people from these backgrounds to
Hindleap Warren however, the new
environment gives everyone an
opportunity to start again. In addition to
something that is fun and exciting, we
are very good at creating a ‘safe’
experience where young people are free
from their social norms, won’t be judged
and can achieve successes.
It’s all about encouraging the young
people to take a risk and deviate from
their normal behaviour patterns. We do
28
that through setting challenges which are
made fun, allowing them to more easily
take a risk and focus on possible
successes. We facilitate discussion too,
planning tailored sessions that challenge
young people to consider questions
around what is important, difficult or
courageous and how this might vary
from person to person.
In this ‘safe’ environment, pre-
determined behaviour and relationships
can be reassessed. The young person can
ask themselves if, out here, they really
have to follow the behaviour pattern
they follow at home. Having the freedom
to try things in a new way often results in
them taking new attitudes to peers,
youth workers and even authority.
Changing the attitudes of some of the
most challenging young people is a great
thing to aim for, and it’s an aim we share
with Knights. For as long as I’ve worked
with them, I’ve never known Knights take
the ‘easy’ option. They work hard to
create good relationships and provide a
strong, sympathetic and supportive
service for every young person that
comes through their door.
We look forward to providing adventures
and successes for Knights’ members for
the next twenty years.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
68 the total number trips that took place outside the centre during 2009/10
29
2009-10A year at Knights
“I come to Knights to play with my
friends and meet new people. I like
doing different activities like
cooking, sports, going on trips and
visiting new places”
Treyvelle, 11
It’s been a big twelve months for Knights. Stu Thomson, Youth
Service Director, gets out his crampons.
At our annual Knights Youth Centre Team Weekend in October
2009 we started preparing for 2010, developing a strategic plan
for our service. Six months later a team of members and leaders
would take on the French Alps for real, but we felt encouraged
and equipped to climb our own metaphoric mountain.
Over the last twelve months Knights has climbed many such
mountains. We’ve had to juggle the competing demands of
maintaining funding levels, continuing team development and
strengthening management whilst keeping a resolute focus on
sustaining our core offer and providing targeted services for the
very hardest to engage.
Climbing takes team work, guts and training. Each ascent has
required all of us to overcome barriers which might otherwise get
in the way. Climbing, as it turns out, is bloomin’ hard work, but
reaching the top, admiring the view and breathing in the sweet air
makes the toil worthwhile.
Moving into the second half of 2010, the youth and community
sector is facing its toughest climb for a couple of decades. Sadly,
many won’t make it.
There have been some significant changes to help ready us for the
Climbing mountainsHaving joined
Knights as Senior
Youth Worker in
January 2000, Stu
Thomson
celebrated ten
years at the centre
this year.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
17 the average number of young people attending Knights sessions this year
32
challenges ahead. Simon Minott has joined us as Senior Youth
Worker and we have taken on Angela Robinson to manage our
girls@Knights and Juniors programmes. Simon and Angela now
have responsibility for the face-to-face programme at the centre –
you can read more about them on pages 34 and 44 respectively.
I now have a new role as Youth Service Director. This means I will
be focusing more on sustaining performance and capacity
building at the centre, including staff development, quality
assurance, funding and developing new and current partnerships.
I will still be involved with Seniors for the time being.
These changes will help us stay fit for the climb. Along the way,
we’ll try new, and perhaps precarious, routes. We’ll certainly have
to adapt our climbing techniques, and find new partners to help
us get to the top.
This section of the report talks through some of the ‘peaks’ from
the last year. Hopefully it will show how Knights can reach its
mountain tops and, far more importantly, help each young person
to reach theirs. Enjoy.
My thanks to Ros, Ella and Megan for so much support, love and
joy.
33
Ziggy is 15 years old, lives on the Clapham Park Estate and
attends Knights every week. His siblings – and there are quite a
few – come each week too.
We like Ziggy a lot. He has always been the centre of attention,
but not always for the right reasons. We’ve started to see a
change in him over the last six months however, and now he
wants to become more involved and is very serious about
joining TYLAP when he is older.
We’ve started to talk with him about what this means and he is
responding positively. He’s starting to show signs that he could
be a positive role model in the group.
Ziggy is moving from ‘me, me, me’ to ‘us, us, us’. He was recently
given a Jack Petchey Achievement award and with it £200 to
spend on the youth centre. When asked what he wanted to
spend the money on, he said: “Something which Inters can
remember forever”.
Forget Simon Cowell, embarrassing auditions and one hit
wonders. Forget telephone votes and Cheryl Cole’s hair.
This is Sex Factor.
It is often worrying to hear how little young people know about
themselves and the opposite sex. Most of what they know
they’ve learned on the street – and much of it is misguided and
unhelpful.
So we created Sex Factor, a six week programme for six girls and
six boys aged between 12 and 15, that provided an opportunity to
learn about sexual health and relationships. The programme was
facilitated by Angela Robinson, Knights’ Young Women’s
Development Worker, supported by Stu Thomson and funded by
Lambeth Primary Care Trust’s Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood
Team.
This wasn’t a place for the prudish or faint-hearted. A big part of
the project revolved around getting both genders to share views
and experiences, and setting sessions up in a format based
around establishing a relationship with someone.
In week one of the programme we threw the young people in at
the deep end with a ‘first date’ night at Pizza Hut. Sitting in boy-
girl pairs, each couple needed to complete a number of
conversational objectives. The programme culminated in a two
day team building residential trip to Hindleap Warren.
In addition to debunking a few myths, Sex Factor’s lasting
achievement was the confidence it has given young people to
discuss relationships and sexual health more freely.
Did you know that
Lambeth has one of
the highest teenage
pregnancy rates in
the UK? The rate of
15-17 year olds
falling pregnant in
the borough was
71.5 in 1,000 in
2008.
35
Sex Factor
Simon Minott, Knights’ newest recruit,
talks us through his role at the centre
and views on youth work.
You joined the centre back in April.
Where have you come from?
Before joining Knights I was involved
with a number of projects in the London
Borough of Lewisham. For nearly 20
years I have worked mainly with more
‘challenging’ young people, for example
offenders or those who have been
excluded from school. I’ve had plenty of
experience working with young men in
particular, and helping to prevent their
involvement with gangs.
How does Knights differ?
Knights is unique. It has a long history
and a great heritage to go with it. The
management, who have been in it for
years and bring huge passion to the
centre, are a breath of fresh air. The
facilities are great, too.
And how do you see your role?
Knights has already got huge experience
of more ‘targeted work’, but my job will
be to work with the team to take it
forward. The RIO programme and
increased street-level engagement will
be a core part of what I do.
Knights is obviously a very well
established youth centre, but hopefully I
can bring new drive and vision to the
table. I will bring different ideas and
theories about how to have an impact on
the lives of young people.
What’s your biggest challenge?
I think the biggest challenge we’re all
facing is around being trusted by young
people enough to really talk about their
issues. Our youth work needs to help
young people get over the paranoia and
natural distrust that sometimes emerges
as a result of past experiences. If we’re
really going to engage with the more
challenging young people, we need to
find ways to dig a bit deeper.
How do you go about building trust?
A big part of youth work in this context is
Challenges and trophies
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
38 the number of awards Knights gave to young people this year
36
being able to show you understand. I’m
looking to bring something to the centre
that I’m calling ‘real talk’: essentially
talking shops for members.
You don’t have to be black, from the
same estate or even from the same area,
but shared experiences and genuinely
enjoying their company matter. You have
to let young people connect with you.
Are things changing for young people?
I’m not here to bash anyone, but things
are changing. Schools, for example: in
years gone by, exclusion would be a very
different experience - there was a
greater chance of rejoining school life.
now excluded young people are far more
likely to rebel even further.
Disadvantaged young people need to
feel like there are still positive options for
them. unfortunately, the options for
young people on the edges of society are
getting far more dangerous. Young
people are getting caught up in more
risky behaviours. Kids pushing drugs are
getting younger.
How does Knights tackle this change?
Knights has to aim to provide young
people with positive and dynamic
options to compete with the negative
ones – and it does. Crucially, young
people also need ‘trophies’.
Trophies?
Sure. Knights needs to be a place where
achievement and success is possible.
Knights is already great at this, but it’s
something I really believe in.
Everything we do should involve a
balance of fun and achievement. Yes,
Knights provides the things a young
person needs – fun, fulfilling and healthy
stuff in a safe environment. But we need
to make sure that we continue to blend
that with offering achievement and
success, whether we’re playing football,
camping or climbing in the Alps.
That mix leads to new life skills, positive
opportunities and attitudes for young
people, and a youth centre playing its
part in the Every Child Matters agenda.
It’s what we’re here for.
37
Reachin’ OutIn the wake of increasing concerns about anti-social behaviour
and knife crime amongst young men, Knights piloted its Reachin’
Out (RIO) project in September 2009 to provide positive
opportunities and alternatives.
After a successful pilot, Knights secured funding from the Home
Office Community Fund to continue RIO for a further three years.
Devised by Knights in partnership with the Clapham Park Project,
RIO has already made a remarkable impact on the lives of young
people. It offers regular one-to-one support, guidance and advice
to young men, emphasising that they are unique and valued and
reaffirming that they can still choose to have a positive future.
RIO also offers ‘positive risks’. There is considerable theoretical
evidence to argue that young people are less likely to engage in
negative risky behaviours if there are appropriate, positive
alternatives. We had direct experience of the theory in action
when we took five young men to the Peak District in April 2010,
who have since been nicknamed the ‘Peak Five’. Once
marginalised and lacking hope, they are now fully involved at
Knights and eager to try new things.
By engaging young people through the RIO programme, Knights
continues to provide avenues through which young people can
reengage with mainstream services. ultimately, it will help these
young men to envisage a different – but positive – future.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
15 the number of targeted group sessions that took place this year
38
Three of the ‘Peak Five’
In February 2010 we mourned the sad
passing of Ron Saunders.
Ron was the life and soul of Knights
Youth Centre for over half a century.
Junior Leader and Club Secretary before
he was 20, Ron moved on to looking
after Inters in the sixties and Seniors in
the seventies. At that point Seniors was
attended by an average of 80 members
every week.
Ron acted as Chairman in the eighties,
but always preferred to ‘get his hands
dirty’. Whether managing five football
teams, masterminding trips to the Island
or coordinating mammoth bi-annual
fundraising jumble sales, Ron threw
himself with a contagious enthusiasm
into all aspects of Knights life. He was
aided throughout by his equally
committed and selfless wife, Pat, who he
met at the club.
Ron continued to visit Knights regularly
to help maintain the building well into
his older years. He enjoyed striking up
new relationships with TYLAP trainees,
testament to how his ever-friendly,
loving and non-judgemental personality
was addictive to people of all
generations. Ron edited a history of the
Ron Saunders
40
centre to mark its 70th birthday in 2006,
and continued to enjoy the company of
the Knights ‘Old Boys’ right up until he
passed away.
It is impossible to say how many people,
young and old, have benefited from
Ron’s leadership, sense of humour and
hard work, but hundreds attended his
funeral on 26 February 2010. Twenty
TYLAP trainees and workers stood behind
Karis, one of TYLAP’s first students, as
she recited a poem she had written
about Ron and Pat a couple of years
before. The same trainees applauded
Ron as he was carried out of the church
at the close of the ceremony.
Driven by his faith and a passion for
making a positive impact on the lives of
other people, Ron considered it a
privilege to ‘serve’ at Knights and with
Knights’ people. The club held a very
special place in his heart. There will not
be another like him - he is sorely missed
by all at Knights.
Ron requested that friends attending his
funeral make donations to Knights rather
than bring flowers. If you would like to
make a donation in Ron’s memory, or
would like an e-copy of his Knights’
history, ‘Three Score Years and Ten’,
please get in touch.
Three ScoreYears
and
Ten
41
Education and personal development
consultancy Mentivation Services is
helping Knights’ male members think
more positively and avoid getting
sucked into gang lifestyle. Michael
Dawswell talks through how they’ve
worked with Knights.
Recent research commissioned by
Lambeth Council found there were 40
gangs operating in the borough.
Researchers linked the growing number
of gangs with rising levels of violence and
crime among young people.
These are shocking figures, but figures
that have their root in changing
circumstances for young people. Young
men in particular feel disenfranchised
and marginalised from mainstream
society, leading to low self-esteem,
confidence and education or
employment aspirations. These issues
feed into a mindset that society has
nothing to offer them and ultimately that
violence and crime are acceptable means
of achieving material goal and peer
respect.
A great deal of these negative
assumptions are sown in early years.
Here they go unchallenged, nurtured by
negative lifestyle conditioning:
materialism; sexualised movies and
music that glamorise violence; and
computer games that encourage the
view that anti-social behaviour is
rewarding.
Mentivation Services is an education and
personal development consultancy that
aims to tackle those negative
assumptions. We work with some of the
most difficult young people from all ages,
backgrounds and cultures in some very
challenging settings. In Lambeth, we
have been tasked with supporting young
people experiencing difficulties in
education, the community or in the
home, helping to reduce serious youth
violence and reoffending.
To do this we join with other agencies,
groups and organisations already
working with young people. Working in
partnership with those organisations
allows us to identify those young people
who need help the most. We can help
them find ways to cope with the issues
they encounter through workshops and
one-to-one mentoring.
Thinking positive
42
Youth centres such as Knights are crucial
‘clients’ for us. Partnership working helps
smaller organisations pool their
resources and expertise to create better
and lasting relationships with young
people – relationships that will
ultimately influence them in a positive
way.
Knights Youth Centre works with ‘hard to
reach’ young people. Some of its
members, if not most, are not in
education, training or employment. They
may be involved in or vulnerable to
antisocial or criminal behaviour. Knights
has a great track record of attracting
young people who need support most to
a respectful and engaging environment.
We were commissioned to facilitate our
six-week Fix up! programme at the
centre to complement the work they
were already doing. Fix up! is a series of
gang awareness workshops that provide
an in-depth analysis of the influences
and consequences of gang culture. Each
session was aimed at examining and
challenging Knights members’ thinking,
particularly on any potential
misconstrued acceptance of gang
lifestyle.
Starting in January 2010, the workshops
addressed a range of issues from getting
to grips with the law and the impact of
carrying weapons through to the prison
experience and understanding the
influence of the media. An
overwhelming majority of the young
people who attended our sessions stated
afterwards that the programme was
helping them to reject or rethink
previously held attitudes.
Whilst some would describe many
Knights’ members as being ‘hard to
reach’, our experience was of working
with a group of young people who
wanted to engage with adults and
organisations who care about them.
Much of this is down to the dedicated
team of professionals at Knights who
have created a safe and comfortable
environment for young people, and
developed trusted relationships with
them.
Mentivation Services will be running a
further eight-week rolling workshop
programme at Knights from September
2010.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
the number of London mayors shocked to see a group of lads pile out froma Knights minibus on Pentonville Road1
43
“Being the youngest MP in London and representing one of the
youngest constituencies demographically in the country, I take a
particular interest in young people. Youth centres play a hugely
important role, and Knights Youth Centre does great work in the
local community.
I have been particularly impressed by Knights’ Trainee Youth
Leader Apprenticeship Programme (TYLAP), training and
mentoring the next generation of youth and community
workers.
Empowering and providing opportunities for future generations
is at the heart of what work with young people is about and I
congratulate Knights’ pioneering approach in this area.
I am proud to represent an area with such vibrant, forward-
looking organisations working with young people like Knights.”
Chuka Umunna MP, who visited Knights in April 2010
Police partnershipKnights is working in partnership with Streatham Police to help
tackle anti-social behaviour. Sgt. Paul Gray explains how.
The Streatham Hill Safer neighbourhood Team is working to
minimise the risk of young people in the area getting involved in
gangs or anti-social behaviour. A big part of this is finding ways to
build a rapport with young people and understand their needs
without stigmatising them. It’s also important that young people’s
experiences of the police aren’t only in confrontational situations
and that they understand what we do and how we can help them.
Working with community organisations like Knights is absolutely
crucial to our efforts, and we have built a close working
relationship with the centre over the past twelve months. We
help to run a diversionary programme that identifies and engages
those young people most at risk of being drawn into negative
behaviours.
In sessions facilitated by Knights, we speak with young people at
the centre to build relationships and break down barriers. We
have also been able to offer advice on personal safety to young
women.
There’s a community benefit, too: through Knights we have been
able to distribute literature and arrange public meetings to
identify problems and reassure the public through positive action.
We have found the staff at Knights to be extremely
knowledgeable and helpful. We hope to increase our involvement
with Knights, assisting with targeted activities and increasing our
engagement with young people.
45
Angela Robinson joined Knights in 2008
to help reinvigorate Girls @ Knights and
work with the Juniors section, which is
now attended by 40 young people twice
a week. Angela gave us the lowdown on
her role and what’s in store for the
future.
You took an unusual route into youth
work…
Actually I’ve always done youth work,
but previously my ‘day job’ was writing
for the likes of Just 17 and the BBC. I
decided to go back to university to take a
Masters in Youth and Community Work
and, before joining Knights, was working
at the head office of a church youth
department.
What is your role at Knights?
I have always been particularly
interested in working with young women
and, in addition to leading the Juniors
section, one of my first responsibilities
was to reinvigorate the girls @ Knights
programme. It’s really grown over the
last couple of years and we now have a
core group of girls who regularly attend -
probably between eight and ten each a
week. Of course, the sessions provide
somewhere safe and fun to go with their
friends, but there’s an opportunity to
address important issues with them too.
What kind of issues?
Issues around growing up, mainly. Most
of the girls that come along are reaching
a crucial period of change in their life
and making the transition from primary
to secondary school. Of course, these
changes bring with them a range of
potential issues. We work with them to
build their self esteem and confidence,
essentially helping them learn how to
handle themselves. Sometimes it’s about
helping them recognise and think
through how they deserve to be treated
and how they should treat others. We
talk about everything from sexuality and
body image through to being careful and
smart.
Slowly, the group is getting older. new
issues, like handling relationships, will
appear on the horizon. Of course, many
of these areas are discussed at school,
but Knights provides another,
complementary way to get information
across. Everyone is different, and
sometimes a more personal, informal
and straight-talking environment suits
young people best.
Building relationships
46
How do you go about broaching these
subjects?
Fundamentally, youth work is relational.
Relationships work on different levels –
you have to get to know the young
people to build trust and then engage
with them, creating opportunities to talk
with and listen to them.
What are the girls like to work with?
They’re a great group and lots of fun to
work with. In some ways many girls
these days have huge amounts of
confidence, but sometimes that
confidence comes out in the wrong ways.
Of course, there’s also the very special
dynamic that is created when girls get
together to contend with! Where
possible we look to challenge negative
behaviours, and help the young people
to channel their confidence in the right
way.
You work with Juniors, too…
Yes, and in fact many of the members
from girls @ Knights also come to
Juniors. It’s probably Knights’ biggest
section, with up to 40 young people
attending twice a week. It’s very much
their time, a place they can chill and get
involved with a number of activities like
arts, sport and cooking. Many of the
older young people have seen their
friends go onto different secondary
schools – Juniors is great place for them
to keep in touch.
That’s a lot of young people.
It is! But it’s fantastic that we are
attracting young people of this age to
Knights, and not only because we can
hopefully start them on a Knights
‘journey’. Even at a young age you see
evidence of potentially negative
behaviours and attitudes setting in, but
we can take steps to challenge young
people’s thinking – essentially early
intervention.
Why is Knights so important?
Because everyone learns differently.
Sometimes schools or parents struggle,
and a good youth centre can offer
something different to the mix. Knights is
somewhere a young person has chosen
to come and hang out, and we can use
activities they enjoy to ‘get through’. It’s
informal education.
We can, and do, talk about the ‘big’
things. Hopefully, we can open young
people’s eyes to new things and ways of
thinking. I think this is an area where
Knights is at its best – taking risks with
the most challenging young people and
building relationships with them.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
132 the number of ‘street sessions’ delivered by Knights during 2009/10
47
Accounts
Income
Expenditure
In 1999, Knights’ annual expenditure was £35,000. Eleven years on,
the figure is nearly eight times that amount. 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 quite different
youth centre with 15 employees.
More recently however, the world in
which we operate has changed
dramatically, too, with far reaching
implications for our finances.
Benefactors, partners and friends
Despite the uncertain economic climate,
funding partners continue to see the
value of the services Knights offers young
people. We receive incredible support.
Lambeth Borough Council funds the
girls @Knights Project and Senior
Outreach Project. We hope their support
for these posts and other projects will
continue after the first set of budget cuts
which are now upon us.
In addition to fully funding the Walcot
Apprenticeship programme, the Walcot
Foundation also provides significant
support for TYLAP.
We received fantastic support following
the publication of last year’s Annual
Report, including over 100 individual
donations. £2,500 was also raised as Ron
Saunders’ family and friends celebrated
his life back in February. Even though the
amount is modest in proportion to the
whole, the continued support of our
Friends remains invaluable.
Managing in uncertain times
In the space of two weeks last summer,
Knights lost funding from two of our
major supporters.
While we are still in discussions with
them, the BBC Children in Need grant is
currently on hold after ten years fantastic
support due to unprecedented demands
placed on the charity. Elsewhere, and for
similar reasons, the Jack Petchey
Foundation has had to review its funding
strategy. Two years into a three year
award, we are now receiving a
significantly lower level of support than
anticipated.
These developments gave us an early
and worrying experience of the
challenging economic environment we
are now working in. Even immediate
housekeeping changes could not help us
avoid a very significant shortfall. Our
urgent bid to the Hardship Fund grant
was therefore crucial.
The government-backed Hardship Fund
has provided Knights with a bridging
grant of £88,000. That Knights was one
of a modest number of organisations to
receive an award from over 500
applicants was testament to the
importance and quality of our work.
grants received from Lloyds TSB, Tudor
Trust, Clapham Park, Mercers, Lambeth
Ward and the Elizabeth and Prince
Zaiger Trust, enabled us to balance our
books last year. nevertheless, we have
taken further steps to help us secure the
funding we need - Stu Thomson’s new
role, for example - and reviewed all
running expenditure.
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
Looking forward
It has been a positive and exciting year for Knights. As you have
read, we have refocused our work with the most vulnerable
young people, fostered effective partnerships and maintained
the innovative TYLAP apprenticeship scheme.
There have been some cutting edge projects along the way -
projects that have led to the centre being increasingly valued
across the whole system of organisations working with children
and families.
In the midst of all the good work however, 2009/10 was
punctuated by new challenges. The financial crisis exposed us to
an entirely new working environment, and we’ve had to think
differently. More cutbacks are sure to follow, and there is a risk
that they will be even deeper than those experienced by Knights
and youth provision in general in the eighties.
As a result, our focus over the next twelve months will be on
consolidation, maintaining the services we currently provide and
delivering youth work of the very highest quality.
Behind the scenes, this will involve taking further steps to ensure
we are well positioned to meet the needs of current and
prospective funders. We will, for example, adopt a quality
assurance scheme sponsored by London Youth Matters. Stu’s new
role, and Simon’s arrival, will be critical.
Most importantly, this means prayerfully continuing to excel in
what is Knights’ heartland: working with some of SW2’s most
challenging young people in a safe, nurturing and engaging
environment. ultimately, it is our fire which drives us to provide a
consistent and high quality service.
The future
51