Volunteers helping disadvantaged youths get over barriers blocking their way to jobs have welcomed a cash gift to expand their work in Hackney and the East End.
They’ve been given £10,000 by London Freemasons for the Circle Collective that runs social enterprise shops in Dalston, Canary Wharf and Lewisham in south London.
The collective has helped 1,450 young people into sustainable jobs since 2021 and thousands more to become ‘job ready’.
“We are more than just a charity,” said founder Turly Humphreys. “This is a community that believes in giving every young person the chance to work.
“Our goal is to create lasting change using the right tools and giving what support is needed to build careers.”
The Freemasons grant means the charity can convert the gift into £24,000 in ‘social value’.
Circle Collective runs workshops on how to prepare CVs and teaches ‘employability’ skills while creating networking for teenagers to meet potential employers.
Trainees also get work experience, breaking the “cycle of despair” of youth unemployment, with seven out of 10 who take part getting jobs or moving into training or further education.
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