26/03/2021
Spotlight has won funding to tackle youth violence on the Isle of Dogs.
Poplar HARCA’s youth service, Spotlight, in consortium with Osmani Trust and Streets of Growth, has won funding from the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit ‘My Ends’ project. The City Hall fund is invested in streets and estates to help pockets of London prone to violence and to give communities the support they need.
Spotlight has won £750,000 from the £6million fund to tackle youth violence on the Isle of Dogs – which will involve a mix of centre-based and community outreach work with programme partners The Utilize Project, offering mentoring, courses providing qualifications that can jump-start participants’ careers, and other support tailored to meet the needs and preferences of the groups Spotlight works with. The project aims to work with most disadvantaged and disengaged young people to tackle youth offending, unlock local potential and transform the community.
Nahim Ahmed, Spotlight Youth and Community Manager, said: “The money we received will go a long way to support those that need it the most. Our Spotlight team have been out in the community throughout the pandemic, building relationships with hard to reach young people on the Isle of Dogs. Through various conversations, we gathered that the islanders have been neglected for a number of years. This money will be a big step towards creating a positive change.”
Nahim Ahmed was recently interviewed by ITV London about the project. You can watch the interview here.