xlp annual review 2009

© XLP 2009. All Rights Reserved

ANNUAL REVIEW 2009

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3. FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

4. THE CHALLENGE

5. XLP’S RESPONSE

6. STEVEN’S STORY

7. THE XL!R8 PROJECT

8. A FIGHTING CHANCE

9. COACH

10. TERRI LEE’S STORY

11. ARTS

12. AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS HENRIETTE

13. WHERE IS XLP?

14. LIFE IN LYRICS

15. XLP IN THE COMMUNITY

16. THE X!MOBILE

17. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

18. WHAT MAKES XLP EFFECTIVE?

19. GAP YEAR PROGRAMME

20. FUNDRAISING EVENTS

21. RESOURCING XLP

22. FINANCIAL

23. WHAT OTHERS SAY

CONTENTS

2 XLP’s Annual Review 2009

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Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I think about what XLP does today compared to its humble beginnings 14 years ago. This last year we have seen XLP deepen its involvement with estate communities where we already have a presence, and at the same time extend our work into new boroughs. We have seen strategic partnerships forged with local authorities, the Met police, businesses, and other community groups. And most importantly, we have worked

positive changes in their lives with the consequential impacts upon their families and communities. I don’t believe one project alone can solve some of London’s

people decide that they want to work together and support each other.

Another young person said, “no-one wants to be in a gang, it’s the only choice they’ve got”. From my experience, what people need are real alternatives, support in making wise lifestyle choices and help in realising the amazing potential they have. This is XLP’s mission; this is our shared hope for the future.

PatrickPatrick Regan CEO of XLP

FOUNDER’S MESSAGE“If you don’t know me, how can you judge me?” This was a line from one of the acts in this year’s Arts Showcase

original material telling us what is going on in their lives through the performing arts. I sat there thinking how often youth work strategies are based on what we think young people and communities across London need instead of asking them. Our approach in XLP has been one of wanting to listen to our communities and understand the issues that are so often unique to every

There’s an old African saying that it takes a village to raise a child. We have a lot to learn from this way of thinking and it’s key if we’re going to address some of the issues young people and their families are facing. If we want to impact our communities and see them changed, then we have to be involved in our communities and take ownership of them. Right at the

heart of any solution has to be getting to know the young people and their families, listening to what they have to say and working with them to make

change happen. But this has to be done seriously and with long-term commitment. Our workers live in the communities they serve giving them a unique and intimate understanding. We have found most of the young people we work with do respond to people that are willing to be there week in week out.

3XLP’s Annual Review 2009

THE CHALLENGEA high percentage of children and young people in London are struggling: their home lives can be !nancially and emotionally challenging, and many !nd themselves low-achievers academically as they battle with English as a second language. Their attitudes and behavioural needs often alienate them from their own families and communities, and can undermine their sense of self-worth. Many are excluded or at risk of exclusion from school, leading some to rediscover their identity through gang-related antisocial behaviour. The scale of these problems in London, and particularly inner-London, is enormous:

Over 7 million people live in London and there are over 1,000,000 pupils in London’s schools.

Two out of every !ve children in London live under the poverty line...in inner London nearly half of all children live in poverty.1

Over 45% of inner-London’s pupils did not achieve the equivalent of 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE2 and just one per cent of 15 year olds in PRUs (pupil referral units) achieve !ve or more A*-C grades at GCSE.3

Three quarters of young o"enders describe their educational attainment as nil.4

In many parts of London, high rates of family breakdown, worklessness and educational failure are creating a cycle of deprivation. XLP’s work is aimed at preventing young people from dropping out of mainstream education, seeing them gain quali!cations and set goals and work hard to achieve them, and enabling them to contribute positively to society.

“TWO OUT OF EVERY FIVE CHILDREN IN LONDON LIVE UNDER THE POVERTY LINE...”

1 London Child Poverty Commission, Monitoring Child Poverty in London: Third Monitoring Report (London Child Poverty Commission, 2009),p82 ibid,p243 Centre for Social Justice, Dying to Belong, (CSJ, 2009),p2094 Centre for Social Justice, Breakdown Britian, (CSJ, 2006)4 XLP’s Annual Review 2009

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XLP’S RESPONSEXLP is about HOPE. It’s about getting alongside young people living in our inner cities and helping them see alternatives to what can sometimes seem a hopeless situation.

XLP has realised that to see signi!cant change we can’t just o"er knee-jerk reactions to some of London’s problems; if we are to do more than just scratch the surface of these complex issues, we need to be committed for the long haul. That’s why nearly every week of the year XLP youth workers are tackling issues of educational failure, poverty and deprivation, violence and intimidation, helping young people make wise lifestyle choices, and supporting them to realise the amazing potential they have.

Working with young people in Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich & Bexley, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Camden and Islington, XLP operates a range of prevention and intervention projects that engage with young people in their schools and communities, including the XL-R8 Community Bus, Arts Showcase, X-Mobile Studio, COACH 1-2-1 Mentoring, Sports, and for the !rst time this year, Summer Camps.

XLP is constantly monitoring and assessing the impact of its work and developing innovative new projects. For over a decade, XLP has witnessed positive stories of young people whose futures have changed from going nowhere to having hope and purpose. These stories rarely get aired but they are the fuel that keeps the vision alive.

XLP IS WORKING WITH OVER 700 YOUNG PEOPLE 1#2#1 AND IN SMALL GROUPS, AND 12,000 YOUNG PEOPLE EACH YEAR.

“ONE OF OUR 13 YEAR OLD BOYS APPEARED IN A MUSIC VIDEO MADE BY FRIENDS FROM A DIFFERENT NEIGHBOURHOOD. AS A CONSEQUENCE, A FEW DAYS LATER, HE WAS STABBED”XLP YOUTH LEADER

Background photograph taken from a memorial gra$ti wall in memory of a young person who was killed in London


How did you get on at school?I messed up, played around. I had brothers and olders from

where I grew up... it felt like I had to impress them. They were good people, known for the right reasons, and I just

thought to myself, I wanna do that too, I wanna be known as much as them. I was never excluded or suspended but I did get into little problems and that – the serious things I did I never got caught.

How was life at home?

It had its ups and downs but it was alright. I live with my mum and sister and brother, but mum was always at work,

brother was at college. I haven’t seen my dad since we left Nigeria when I was about 8. I’m not an emotional kind of person,

if someone ain’t there for me I’m not gonna cry.

What was life like outside of school and home?I looked at myself as an outsider but then a couple of years ago when I started messing around, acting like I was bad and all of that, I just got sucked into the lifestyle. Going out, late nights, doing things I weren’t supposed to do. I just thought to myself, I need to get noticed so that if I go to a certain area I’m not gonna get touched... it was about feeling safe round where I live. The problem with that kind of lifestyle is you get sucked in, and can turn out to be someone that goes around road robbing people. What changed?That’s not the way forward man. I had to change my ways, quickly. I met XLP and discovered what they were doing for people my age. I just thought to myself, there are people out there who are actually trying to help.

STEVEN’S STORYHow have you been involved with XLP?I was on the Pimp My Riot Van show, ended up having an audition for it out of the blue, it was mad. When it came to that show, I kept thinking to myself, ‘these people don’t even know me and they o!ered to help me’ – that’s when I decided, what can I give back to them? Since then I’ve been helping out on the bus on the Abbey Wood estate, doing football, talking to kids.

How has XLP helped you?I was just a hyped up kid, that’s what I thought to myself. If there was beef, I would be there. But XLP taught me how to respect others and showed me there’s a better way. Now instead of me being on road, I’m meeting people and talking to them about how I changed my lifestyle.

Why do you volunteer with XLP?I’m just paying back what was given to me, trying to make a di!erence.

Why do you think some young people end up in crime and violence?I think whatever you’re seeing, that’s what you’re gonna be doing. Like, your friend gets stabbed, obviously you’re gonna think, I’m gonna get that person back. But the violence is brought on by stupid things: someone wanting to stab someone else because they stepped on his shoes... it is stupidness man, stupidness.

Is XLP important in tackling these issues?De"nitely. I think what XLP is doing is showing kids that there are other options. I tell people in my old school, come down to XLP, they’ll get you involved in projects. XLP’s got the key for that.


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THE XL!R8 PROJECTThe XL-R8 Community Bus Project remains at the heart of XLP’s community work. Equipped with computers and internet access, facilities for arts and crafts, and a ‘chill-out’ area, the bus provides a safe place for children and young people to engage in positive activities and learn outside of school hours. The XL-R8 Community Bus currently travels to six estates each week across Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich and Newham, and we have plans to extend the reach of the project into other inner-London estate communities including Tower Hamlets, Islington and Camden. For this we are going to need another bus!

The XL-R8 Community Project is sta"ed by a combination of XLP workers, gap year students and approved local volunteers drawn from the community. The project has been operating since 2004 and helps over 200 young people 1-2-1 and in small group engagements every week. As well as activities hosted on the bus, the XLP teams run sports activities such as football and basketball, and detached youth work, using the bus as a base for engaging with more young people on the estates.

The bus is a place where long-term relationships are established, new friends are found, and where children and young people develop a sense of potential and hope for the future.

MIKE

“I LOVE COMING TO THE BUS, IT’S A PLACE WHERE I CAN FEEL SAFE”


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A FIGHTING CHANCE“They just don’t like each other and when you see one of them in your area they better get out because otherwise there is going to be trouble.”“The gangs I joined seemed the only people in

the world to o!er a kind of comfort and caring. The desire to feel wanted and included, in a world that seemed to regard me as scum, was very powerful.”“No-one wants to be in a gang, it’s the only choice they’ve got.”These are just some of the comments from young people who have been interviewed for Fighting Chance, a new XLP book published by Hodder which tackles the issue of street gangs. Gang culture has reached a critical point in the UK and there have been warnings that if we don’t act now, it will be too late. The media is constantly full of stories about tragic teenage deaths and gang violence. But what’s the real story behind the headlines? Who are the young people involved and why is being in a brutal gang appealing? Fighting Chance will look at the key drivers that lead young people into gangs including poverty, family breakdown, fear, and the need to belong. It will explore practical solutions from how to prevent people getting into gangs, to how to help those who are deeply involved !nd a way out.As a follow up to the book, XLP is planning to deliver a schools programme that includes a multi-media presentation and workshops where young people will have the chance to unpack the issues further and access information which can help those on the edges of gangs and those already involved in that lifestyle.For more information, see www.!ghtingchance.me

“I’M FROM NEW CROSS AND THERE’S NO WAY I’D GO INTO PECKHAM; THEY’D TRY TO MOVE TO ME. YOU KNOW PEOPLE’S FACES AND YOU KNOW WHO’S FROM YOUR AREA AND WHO ISN’T. I DON’T KNOW HOW IT STARTED. I WAS BORN INTO IT AND JUST GREW UP IN IT” MICHAEL GRACE IDOWU

"NO ONE SHOULD DIE IN THE WAY THAT MY BOY DID. I GO ROUND SPEAKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE, TELLING THEM WHAT IT’S LIKE FOR A MOTHER TO LOSE HER SON, HOPING THAT THEY WILL SEE SENSE AND STAY AWAY FROM GANGS AND VIOLENCE"


COACH 20 YOUNG PEOPLE, 20 LIFE COACHES, 1 YEAR

“...COACHING HAS GIVEN MY MENTEE THE FRAMEWORK TO DO WHAT SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO AND THE CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT TO DO IT ”ABI COLES ! VOLUNTEER COACH

One of our most exciting new projects is called “COACH” - a community project that has proven highly e!ective in supporting young people and their families facing emotional, behavioural and relational challenges. COACH helps them to improve their life-skills, relate better to their peers and community, avoid educational failure, and choose not to become involved with gangs.COACH focuses upon helping young people between the ages of 11 and 16 who are on the edge of exclusion or excluded, are at risk of becoming involved in gangs, or are struggling with issues such as poverty, isolation or con"ict. This year 20 young people have each been matched with a volunteer personal coach who is providing 1-2-1 role model mentoring aimed at equipping the young person to better cope with the challenges they face and to make wise lifestyle choices.

The young person and their coach commit to meet for 2-3 hours each week for a minimum of a year. The young person bene#ts from a supportive, stable and nurturing relationship with their coach who encourages them to set fresh goals, work hard to achieve them, and to develop positive attitudes and behaviours that enable them to succeed and avoid failure. Coaches endeavour to keep young people out of gangs and in mainstream education. All coaches are selected, trained, matched and monitored by XLP.


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TERRI LEE’S STORY “I was bad at school. If someone said something I didn’t like, I would hit them. I was protective over my friends – one time someone tried to push my best friend, and I beat them up. I used to mess around outside of school, but then I realised that some things they did, that weren’t me. I felt like an outsider, something was wrong.”

Terri-Lee started coming to an XLP lunch club at Northbrook when she was in year 8, and over the next few years took part in several Arts Showcases, as a dancer, actor, and MC. This year Terri-Lee appeared on the MTV Pimp My Riot Van show, and since then has been a guest presenter at the same Arts Showcase she once performed in. “I can talk a lot,” she says, when we ask her about how she got involved with the MTV show.

We asked Terri-Lee about issues of crime and violence amongst young people. The issues are di!erent for boys and girls, she says. “For girls it’s about self-worth. Some girls like the excitement of having a gangster boyfriend – they think if they do this and that for the boys, then they’re worth something. But for boys, it’s all about respect. If another boy’s got more money than them, and gets respect, they think that if they do something to them they’ll get even more respect because they’ve broken them down.”

She says money is a big pull into crime for young people: “Some people ain’t got patience when it comes to money. They ain’t got time to get educated, they want to cut out college and uni and all that, and make money quickly. But it’s making the good people think, nah, how come I’m working so hard for nothing, and you’re making big money and you’re showing it o! in our faces?” It’s not hard to see why some people choose to go down this path, she says. “You can give young people more jobs and that, but you need to cut out the things where they’re making their money. Where are the guns coming from? If you can make big easy money o! that, you’re gonna do it, even if they provide jobs for you you’re still not gonna take that, because they want things that you don’t have to work for. If you just have to get some weed and sell it someone else and make money, you will do that.”

Terri-Lee is adamant that XLP is important in helping young people involved in this lifestyle. “With stu! like studio and that, XLP de"nitely helps, it takes their mind o! it, sidetracks them to something else. I’ve seen that. Sports and music are two things that boys will actually forget everything else for, even if just for a few hours.”

Terri-Lee is a girl with something to say and a purpose. About her music, she says: “I used to just write anything that rhymed, but now it’s harder because I want to really say something. I want to talk about deep stu!, what’s going on in my head. I like to MC acappella so people can actually hear what I’m saying.”

“...I FELT LIKE AN OUTSIDER, SOMETHING WAS WRONG”


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XLP Arts Showcase o!ers a platform for young people to articulate the challenges they face in their chosen art form, and at the same time show their talent to families, teachers and the wider community.

We currently have two main streams to our work in the arts: Arts Showcase and Arts Training.

ARTS SHOWCASE The Arts Showcase project currently works with 600 young people aged 12-16 across the boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley and Tower Hamlets. Providing a platform for young people who rap, sing, dance, act, play instruments and even do stand up comedy, Arts Showcase allows us to reach those struggling most with behavioural and educational issues, while unearthing some incredible talent along the way.

Our team holds auditions in schools, followed by rehearsals and vibrant shows that allow students to explore their potential in the performing arts. For many it is a much needed opportunity, for some a !rst attempt at performing in public, and for all a great opportunity to revoke the negative coverage that urban young people so often get.

ARTS TRAINING XLP is able to o"er 1-2-1 and group sessions to young people both during and after the Arts Showcase process. This helps instill a sense of discipline, and provides positive self-esteem building activities, all of which contributes to raising a young person’s educational attainment and improving their behavioural and social skills. In addition, this year XLP have teamed up with EMI and MTV to provide workshops with music industry professionals.

ARTS“I THOUGHT THE ENERGY AND VIBE WAS SO POSITIVE. I ESPECIALLY LOVED HOW SUPPORTIVE THE AUDIENCE WERE OF ALL STUDENTS NOT JUST THEIR OWN SCHOOLS”HEAD OF MUSIC, SWANLEA SCHOOL


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AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS HENRIETTE

What do you do?I am the Senior Youth Worker for the London Borough of Southwark.

Why did you choose to do youth work?I have lived in South-East London all my life and I want to make a di!erence amongst the young people who live in my own community; particularly with those young people who, for various complex reasons, are having to deal with huge issues and are often written o! by the rest of society. I think that we underestimate the potential they have, given the right encouragement, to overcome and succeed and even go on to help others in their communities.

Being from Lewisham I felt that young people often get a bad press and having positive adults that believe in them can change their lives.

What makes XLP unique?XLP is unique in that it aims is to develop relationships with young people in di!erent contexts, seeing them in their schools and on their estates, and getting to know them and their families through things like the COACH

mentoring project. Seeing the young people in these multiple contexts enables us to establish closer and more

meaningful relationships. It’s also about meeting young people “on their turf” and being there for the long-haul and that’s how XLP work.

What are some of the challenges facing London’s youth workers?To make a real impact upon people lives takes

time and many youth workers "nd themselves restricted to smaller, short-term initiatives

that can’t address the root causes. A lot of young people lack consistency in their lives due to highly

unpredictable family circumstances on many of London’s estates, and the persistent worry of not knowing where you

are going to end up living.

What’s the most exciting thing about working with XLP?The great thing about XLP is seeing the e!ect it has on young people; watching their con"dence grow, seeing them staying in education when they could have so easily fallen out, and them choosing for themselves not to become involved in gang behaviours. The thought of enabling a young person to live with purpose and hope and succeed in life inspires all that I do with XLP.

For instance, we had a couple of brothers originally from Bolivia come on one of XLP’s Summer Camps to Dorset this year. Life in Bolivia is very di!erent, and it was great to talk to them about the challenges and barriers they faced in moving to London and particularly having to learn a new language. Their mum, who didn’t speak much English, managed to say how thankful she was that we gave them the opportunity to come away with us on the camp and develop new friendships. The boys still attend our bus project regularly.

“POSITIVE ADULTS THAT BELIEVE IN #YOUNG PEOPLE$ CAN CHANGE THEIR LIVES”


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WHERE IS XLP?Abbey Wood SchoolAddey and Stanhope SchoolBacon’s CollegeBethnal Green Technology CollegeBexley Grammar SchoolBlackheath Bluecoats SchoolBonus Pastor RC SchoolBow SchoolCatford High SchoolCrofton SchoolCrown Woods SchoolCumberland SchoolDeptford Green SchoolEltham Hill SchoolErith SchoolForest Gate Community SchoolForest Hill SchoolGeorge Green’s SchoolGlobe AcademyGreenwich City Learning CentreHaberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham CollegeHarpley Inclusive Support CentreHarris Academy for Girls BermondseyHarris Academy for Girls East DulwichHarris Academy PeckhamHighbury Grove SchoolHighshore SchoolIan Mikardo High SchoolIslington Arts and Media SchoolJohn Roan SchoolKidbrooke SchoolKingsdale School

Southwark

Newham

Greenwich

Lewisham

Bexley

Tower Hamlets

IslingtonCamden

COMMUNITY WORKRathbone Market, Newham*

Atwell Estate, Southwark*Aylesbury Estate, Southwark*

Abbey Wood Estate, Greenwich*Woolwich Common Estate, Greenwich

Kidbrooke Estate , GreenwichEltham Ferrier Estate, Greenwich*

Hazel Grove Estate, Lewisham*Milford Towers Estates, Lewisham*

Regents Park Estate, Camden*Lee Green, Lewisham

Andover Estate, IslingtonKingsford Community SchoolLangdon SchoolMulberry School for GirlsNorthbrook SchoolNotre Dame C of E SchoolOaklands SchoolPlashet SchoolPlumstead Manor SchoolRaine’s Foundation SchoolSacred Heart RC SchoolSir John Cass SchoolSt Matthew’s AcademySt Michael’s and All Angels AcademySt Michael’s RC SchoolSt Paul’s AcademySt Paul’s Way SchoolSt Thomas More RC SchoolSt Thomas the Apostle SchoolSt Ursula’s Convent SchoolStepney Green SchoolSwanlea SchoolSydenham SchoolThe Charter SchoolWalworth AcademyWoolwich Polytechnic School “CHILD POVERTY COSTS LONDONERS APPROXIMATELY £4.9BILLION EVERY YEAR3”

“ALONGSIDE PROSPERITY LIVES POVERTY. 4 IN 10 LONDON CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY2”

“IN SOME PARTS OF THE CAPITAL, 60 PER CENT OF FAMILIES ARE HEADED BY A LONE PARENT1”

= COMMUNITY WORK = SCHOOLS WORK

* XL-R8 bus project location

1 Centre for Social Justice, London - A Tale of Two Cities.2 DWP, HBAI Statistics: After Housing Costs, (DWP, 2008)3 TUC, http://www.tuc.org.uk/welfare/tuc-13840-f0.cfm <http://www.tuc.org.uk/welfare/tuc-13840-f0.cfm, (2007)


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ROLE MODEL “We need some role models, For show the youth there’s a better way,Teach them right so they live their life ah better way,Ah better way can lead to a better day,Ah better day without hate and jealousy,From the badman life you have to get away,Free yourself from shackles and chains and step away,Times get hard things get tough nowadays,Life is good right now? Many would ah disagree.”UNIQUE STEPPERS, XLP ARTS SHOWCASE FINALISTS

LIFE IN LYRICS

“IT’S AN EASY WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF, NOT FACE TO FACE, BUT ON A TRACK,”KHAN


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XLP IN THE COMMUNITYIn 2009, XLP broadened its work in the community to include estate-based detached youthwork, sports coaching and tournaments, and even summer camps!

The physical bene!ts of regular sport are obvious, but by adding a more formalised coaching and tournament programme to our work, the relational bene!ts are clear too. With competitions and weekly training sessions on several estates, we have engaged with more ‘hard to reach’ young people than ever before.

Highlights from this year have included a week of cage football tournaments, football coaching in Canning Town, frisbee playing on the Aylesbury estate and seeing two teams of young people entered into our City Basketball fundraising tournament.

Summer 2009 also saw XLP’s !rst ever summer camps, where we took young people we know from !ve estates to deepest Dorset for !ve days of camping and adventurous activities. The camps were a huge success and a fantastic opportunity to see young people from di"erent (and often rival) areas of London joining together in activities which included kayaking, dry-slope skiing, rock climbing and night walking. Many of the young people who came on the camp had rarely, if ever, been out of London.

“TO SEE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT ESTATES IN LONDON, RATHER THAN CONFRONTING EACH OTHER, WORKING TOGETHER AND DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIPS, WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING” TIM BALSOM, SUMMER CAMP LEADER


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THE X!MOBILEIn 2008, EMI, MTV and the Met Police donated the X-Mobile - a mobile recording studio created out of a police riot van - as part of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” show. A year on, it has been working in schools, pupil referral units and on estates and has proven a fantastic way to engage young people in positive and educationally valuable activities. As with the XL-R8 Community Bus Project, the X-Mobile Project allows us to take stunning youth work facilities with state-of-the-art recording equipment TO the young people where they live. The van’s interior is split in two: the back section providing a vocal and instrument recording booth; and the centre housing Protools software and Apple computer technology. Its size is excellent for small group and 1-2-1 interaction between XLP sta" and young people. In addition to teaching music production and recording skills, this facility provides an amazing platform for mentoring.


EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTAll of XLP’s work has grown from our initial projects in schools. Working with schools since 1996, we now run regular clubs and support sessions in over 50 schools, with a portfolio that includes PHSE/Citizenship/RE lessons, lunch-time activity clubs, homework support, music, drama, art, playground youthwork, in-class behavioural and educational support, and study skills clubs. Many of London’s young people struggle in the education system. The reasons are complex: from !nancially and emotionally challenging home lives to the challenges of studying with English as a second language. Attitudes and behaviour can alienate them from both families and communities, which in turn can undermine their sense of self-worth. With three-quarters of young o"enders describing their educational attainment as nil, it is essential that young people remain in the education system if they are to avoid such behaviour and go on to succeed in life.

XLP has built up a wealth of experience and continually looks to introduce innovative educational initiatives with tangible outcomes. Experience has taught us that outcomes are achieved far more quickly and e"ectively when we see young people both inside school and where they live. For this reason we ensure that our work in schools is connected with our work in the community, arts, sports and mentoring.


WHAT MAKES XLP EFFECTIVE?Central to the work of XLP are several principles and values which underpin all its work in schools and communities. Undoubtedly it is the combination of these factors that explains why the work of XLP is seen as so e!ective by so many.

OUTCOME FOCUSEDXLP knows what it is trying to achieve and all of XLP’s projects combine to work towards the same outcomes.

INCLUSIVEXLP’s work embraces the diverse multicultural nature and creativity within communities in the inner-city.

RELEVANT XLP listens to young people and their communities; they do not look to “do it to them”, or “do it for them,” but to “do it WITH them.”

INNOVATIVE XLP is always seeking new and creative approaches whilst committed to high-quality and e!ectiveness.

COLLABORATIVEXLP’s work is grounded in local relationships and partnerships and delivered in collaboration with local councils, schools, police, churches, volunteers and other agencies.

SUSTAINABLEXLP recognises that tackling these issues is not a knee-jerk exercise; work needs to be sustainable and long-term.

HOLISTICXLP knows that for maximum e!ectiveness it needs to work with a young person in multiple contexts: in their school, their community, through the arts, mentoring and sports.

XLP’S OUTCOME STATEMENTYOUNG PEOPLE WITH:

A RAISED SENSE OF SELF"WORTH, SELF"ESTEEM AND INCREASED EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, WHICH HELPS THEM CONFIDENTLY AND POSITIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY

FRESH GOALS AND THE DESIRE TO WORK HARD TO ACHIEVE THEM, AND WHO ARE ABLE TO MAKE WISE LIFESTYLE CHOICES

POSITIVE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS TOWARDS THEIR COMMUNITIES: THEIR FAMILIES, PEERS, LOCAL RESIDENTS, TEACHERS AND THE POLICE.


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GAP YEAR PROGRAMMELondon is an amazing city with over seven million inhabitants. It is a multicultural city where nearly every nation in the world is represented. Some schools have over 60 mother tongue languages and on certain estates over 100 di!erent nationalities have made their homes.Experience is an exciting and dynamic year out programme run by XLP in partnership with London churches. It is for those who are over 18 and is a great opportunity to serve, make a di!erence to the lives of young people in London, experience life in the inner-city and encounter London’s rich cultural diversity.

This year, over 20 students worked with XLP’s highly experienced sta! in schools and communities across inner-London doing lessons, assemblies and lunch time clubs in schools, coupled with the opportunity to get alongside young people and help them improve their literacy skills in reading support classes. During the year, the team also work with some of the poorest schools and communities in Ghana.

As well as working in schools, students work in their teams with XLP’s youth workers on the XL-R8 Community Bus Project and the Arts Showcase Project, and receive training from some of the best practitioners in the country.

“EXPERIENCE IS MORE THAN JUST A GAP YEAR; IT CHANGED MY LIFE. LIVING AMONGST THE MOST INSPIRING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET GAVE ME AN INVALUABLE INSIGHT INTO TRUE COMMUNITY, AND THE PASSION AND DRIVE TO SEE GENUINE CHANGE IN INNER CITY LONDON.”JASMINE BROOKS "GAP YEAR STUDENT 2008#9$


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FUNDRAISING EVENTSTo help XLP raise funds to support the work it is doing, some amazing people have run exciting fundraising events this year, including:

CITY BASKETBALL 2009In August XLP played host to City Basketball 2009: an energetic three days of tournaments, basketball exhibitions and fun on the Broadgate Circle by Liverpool Street Station. With performances from some of XLP’s young people accompanying the matches, the 16 teams from various !nancial institutions raised over £20,000 for XLP. Thank you for all your support and encouragement.

ETONStudents from Eton College hosted a dinner and auction in support of XLP followed by a debate time with an incredible panel of speakers including Michael Grade, Patrick Regan, Boris Johnson, and others from the British media industry. We would like to say thank you to Eton College for a great evening and their !nancial contribution. It is very much appreciated.

PECKHAM PITCH UP AND MIXTwo nurses heard about the work of XLP and were so touched that they decided to organise a fundraiser at their local “hang out” spot. The Sassoon Gallery, part of Bar Story Peckham, was where the “Peckham Pitch Up and Mix” event took place. The evening was laid back with funky musical beats, tasty barbecued bites and lovely prize giveaways. Thanks again for the funds and the fun.

JENNI’S HALF"MARATHONA big thank you to Jenni Davies who works at Lewisham hospital who ran a half-marathon to raise funds for XLP and increase awareness of our work. Excellent!


RESOURCING XLP

HOW CAN YOU HELP XLP? Without people like you helping us, we could not help as many young people as we can today - over 700 every week and 12,000 each year engage with XLP’s projects and events. Some ideas for supporting us: VOLUNTEER WITH XLPXLP is always looking for new and exciting ways to reach out to those who may need our help, and a lot of ideas and man power come from our vounteers. Their time and e!ort is vital to the work of XLP, and enables XLP to reach a wider range of people. FUNDRAISING EVENTSWhen people arrange fundraising events - dinners, sponsored walks and runs, basketball competitions and the like - it not only helps us "nancially but is incredibly encouraging to the XLP team to know that there are those who share our passions and concerns. We can provide performers and speakers if needed.

SUPPORT US PERSONALLYOne of the most helpful ways for people to support us is to give on a monthly basis through standing order (with gift-aid recovery). We would love you to commit to helping us in this way.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYMost companies have a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team that work with charities. Why not introduce us to your CSR team or one of your Senior Executives? Past introductions like this have resulted in some amazing long-term relationships and support.

Find out more at www.xlp.org.uk


FINANCIALINCOME

EXPENDITURE

On behalf of all our partners and the young people with whom we work, we would like to say an enormous thank you for your commitment and generosity – you are helping us to change lives and impact the future of thousands of young people.

XLP’s budget is around £600,000 per annum, and as always the vast majority of that is spent directly on our projects. The increased demand for XLP‘s help coming in every day coupled with the challenging economic situation means that we need your support and commitment more than ever.

Please consider supporting XLP, either by giving !nancially for the !rst time or by increasing your current level of giving. You could also encourage someone else you know to get involved in supporting XLP. If you work for a company or other organisation that could support the work of XLP, please consider helping them become a partner of XLP.

The work at XLP would not be possible if it was not for the businesses, trusts and individuals that have funded and supported us over the last year. We would like to show our deepest appreciation to all who have contributed. You have made a huge di"erence to the lives of hundreds of young people across London.

If you are interested in being part of our supporter community, allowing our work to reach even further, then please contact us on 020 8297 8284 or [email protected]

URBAN ACTION TRUST

SURREY SQUARE CHARITABLE TRUST

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 12%

FUNRAISING EVENTS & INVESTMENT 1% CORPORATE 30%

TRUSTS 6%

FUNDRAISING & MARKETING 10%

INDIVIDUALS 15%

GOVERNANCE 1%

CHURCHES 7%

PROJECTS 89%

GRANTS 29%


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WHAT OTHERS SAY

"XLP are consistently making a di!erence on London's streets through their innovative projects. I would like to commend them as an excellent charity, and one that is well worth supporting.” Rt. Hon. Ian Duncan Smith

“XLP inspire me. You don’t have to look very far to "nd bad news stories about young people in London - but those aren’t the only stories to be told. XLP bring compassion and hope to some of the Capital’s most challenging neighbourhoods - and have a vitally important part to play in keeping young people safe. John Sutherland, Superintendent (Operations), Islington

XLP goes where young people are in inner London, and loves them in the most traditional, but also the most modern way. They challenge young people, engage them, support them, cares for them, and encourages them.Simon Hughes MP

“I think it’s inspiring to see what groups like XLP can do to give these kids a sense of excitement, encouragement and esteem that they might other wise get from a gang!” Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

“I applaud XLP for going to the places which many others have written o!. They are bold, creative and passionate communicators, who are seeing transformation in some of the UK’s most diverse and challenging communities.”Diane-Louise Jordan, TV Presenter

“I am very pleased XLP has extended its work into East London. I have been impressed by the people in the XLP team, and by the approaches XLP is taking to really get through to young people.”Stephen Timms MP

Fighting against the perception of society that often portrays our young people and communities in a negative light, XLP are going to places that many others don’t want to, coming alongside young people. They see their potential and work holistically with them to support and encourage them into a positive lifestyle. They are a key partner in building and strengthening relationships and communities. Leroy Logan MBE, Superintendent

“XLP are role models, who see past the negative headlines to the bright futures of so many of London’s youth. The work they do is invaluable. It brings hope, raises self-esteem and transforms lives.” Chris Siepman, CEO Liquid Capital Group


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XLP12 Belmont Hill, Lewisham, SE13 5BD Phone: 0208 297 8284Email: [email protected]: www.xlp.org.uk

FOUNDERPatrick Regan

TRUSTEESLiz Biddulph (Chair) Richard Furze (Finance)Mike PilavachiTony EastaughSimon ThomasDoug WilliamsLuke English

XLP is a registered charity no. 1101095and a company limited by guarantee no. 4959458

THANK YOU!

"US YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CHANGE THIS WORLD"RACHEL, AGED 15

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xlp annual review 2009

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