The Knights Youth Centre Annual Report for 2009/10. Find out about the work we've been doing with young people in south London and beyond.

1. Knights Youth Centre
Annual Report 2009/10
Partnerships and Progress

2. Contents
One. Chair’s foreword we’ve bee
n
ell you what ief.
here we t nths - in
br
The bit w last 12 mo
se
up to the
The
Knig who,
ht s w
Two. What we do
You hat, w
th C here
entr
e. Aand why
nd s
tuffof
.
Three. T.Y.L.A.P.
yway?
exactly is TYLAP, an
Hang on, just what
to
what we’ve been up
We’ll explain all that, AND one of
s. Meanwhile Karis -
for the last five year - tells us what it
the fir st TYLAP apprentices w they
d a Friend explains ho
has meant to her, an
got involved.

3. Four. Knights on tour
How we took on social action
in Romania and
snowboarding in the Alps. Oh,
and a word from the
people at Hindleap Warren, wh
o we have worked
with for over 20 years.
Five. A year at Knights re ’ s re p
orts
going on. The ike
s been rt n e rs l
f what’ f ro m p a to
lavour o ects; insights uctions
ust a f j d introd r
J ial pro tion; an em em b e
on o ur spec e and Mentiva re . W e also r
treatha
m Polic he cent nna, MP
f or
S peo ple at t ka U m u
at new unders.
Chu
two gre Ron Sa n Knight
s.
the lif e of his views o
gives us
Str eatham,
The mon
ey part.
Six. Accounts
Seven. Looking ahead
We’ve told you where we’ve been. So where are we going?

4. Foreword
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.
4

5. Flicking through the pages of this report, you’ll read how we have Chris began
readied ourselves to respond to these changes and challenges. volunteering with
Stuart Thomson, who has been with us for over a decade, has Knights in 1973 and
taken on a new role that will allow us to take better advantage of has been Chairman
for 22 years. In
his experience of building effective partnerships and identifying
addition to his
new funding streams. We also welcomed a new Senior Youth voluntary work, he
Worker, Simon Minott, who brings huge experience of engaging is a senior manager
challenging young people. in Children’s
Services for an
We hope these key structural changes will make the youth centre inner London
more responsive and dynamic in fulfilling the requirements of borough.
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
5

6. What we do

7. Knights in a nutshell
What we do “Empowering and
Knights Youth Centre has provided a safe, fun, inclusive and providing
engaging place for thousands of young people since 1936. It offers opportunities for
a diverse service for all young people aged 8-24 regardless of theirfuture generations
is at the heart of
gender, race, religion, sexuality or disability.
what work with
young people is
Where we do it about and I
Knights is the largest provider of youth services in and around the congratulate
Clapham Park Estate in Lambeth, an area of high social and Knights Youth
economic need. Most of our members live in the area, but the Centre’s pioneering
impact of our work reaches across Lambeth. approach in this
area.”
Our members Chuka Umunna,
MP for Streaham
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.
7

8. Our aims
“There are no ego As a Christian foundation we aim to:
issues working with
the people at • Offer a diverse range of activities and opportunities for young
Knights: their people that are enjoyable, challenging and informative through
paramount concern
which they gain knowledge, new skills and experience
is the wellbeing of
young people. This
makes for a great • Provide a secure and caring environment where young people
working who are in the transition through adolescence to adulthood
relationship, can develop self-awareness and confidence whilst developing
sharing experiences positive relationships with both peers and adults
and expertise.”
Michael Dawswell, • Enable young people to recognise their own skills, abilities and
Mentivation 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
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
499 the number of sessions Knights delivered to young people in 2009/10
8

9. “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

10. Wey Island
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.

12. TYLAP
A TYLAP ‘graduate’, Ryan has been
offered a Youth Worker role at
Crystal Palace Football Club

13. TYLAP is five years old.
In that time...
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
13

14. What is TYLAP?
“We have always The Trainee Youth Leader Apprentice Programme – or TYLAP – is a
been very unique initiative set up by Knights to develop young people aged
impressed with how 16-24 into experienced, qualified youth workers.
Knights grows its
own talent,
now five years old, TYLAP has worked with over 150 recruits. The
challenging young
people to develop programme has an impact across three key areas.
themselves through
helping others with Employment and education routes for young people
the same
background. It TYLAP prioritises working with young people who are less
works”. engaged by traditional learning or struggling with their personal
Tony Smith development. Overall, it aims to provide young people who might
London Youth 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.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
32 the number of new trainees offered a place on TYLAP In June 2010
14

15. 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.
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.
15

16. A path to follow
Karis was one of our first TYLAP Youth Work, which many of our TYLAP
apprentices back in 2004. She spoke to trainees are working towards. Tutoring
us about her journey from ‘mouthy the course basically involves facilitating
Peckham girl’ to career youth worker. 15 work-based group sessions around
professional practice in youth work. The
How did you end up on TYLAP? sessions explore the views and values of
When I started the programme – which I participants and include learning about
heard about through my brother-in-law - current government legislation.
I was a young mouthy black girl from
Peckham with a really bad attitude. You’ve been through it - what are the
Being on the programme, I started to benefits of TYLAP?
deal with my issues. With the help of the For Trainees, TYLAP allows them to gain
people at TYLAP, I have become a experience in the field, reflect on their
professional and a positive role model views and values, develop
for others. Being here enabled me to professionalism, gain qualifications, go to
make the right decisions and choose a university and build a career.
positive path to follow. Importantly, it allows them to think
positively about their opportunities for
What’s happened since you joined? the future.
I was fast tracked onto year two of the
programme, became an Apprentice Members benefit too – they get great
Youth Worker and then Joint Section role models who they can relate and look
Leader for Early Knights. In year three I up to. They get meaningful relationships
became Student Youth Worker and that give them a sense of belonging. For
Juniors Section Leader. At the end of that some, it also opens their eyes to a
year, the position of Assistant potential career in youth work.
Coordinator was created for me whilst I
started university. What’s the biggest challenge you’re
facing?
And that’s what you’re doing now? Challenging the views and mindsets of
I’m now a tutor for the Certificate in members and trainees – encouraging
16

17. them to see life differently and think of young people to get involved with
the bigger picture. In many ways, that’s outside of school. But Knights isn’t just a
what we’re here for. place to go. It’s somewhere where young
people are made to feel welcome and
Life for young people, especially around gain an extended family. They experience
here, is changing. Community divisions something different and can express
have become greater. Young people are themselves without being judged.
increasingly marginalised. The negative
stigmas and ‘labels’ attached to youth On a personal note, what does Knights
are creating a self fulfilling prophecy. mean to you?
I joined at a crucial time in my life when I
All this means Knights probably has a was vulnerable and impressionable.
more important role to play than ever Since then I have grown in many ways –
before. Yes, the same issues have always emotionally, mentally, physically and
been there, but I think over time they psychologically.
have become more prominent. Some
young people are living their lives in fear TYLAP has helped me build a career. I am
now. not the mouthy girl from Peckham I used
to be - I am now the young lady and
How important is it that young people professional that young people need me
have somewhere like Knights? to be.
It’s paramount. There isn’t much for
17

18. Friend in the frame
Kathy Byrne is a training professional TYLAP programme, which does a
with huge experience of working with fantastic job of opening the eyes of
young people. She spoke to us about young people to potential career
how being a Friend of Knights for nearly opportunities and developing
ten years recently led her to mentoring experienced professionals for the sector.
TYLAP trainees. Last year I volunteered my services.
Can you introduce yourself? In conversation with Knights, I agreed to
Originally from Pennsylvania, I arrived in offer personal and professional
the uK via the united States Army where development sessions to the
I served as a Race Relations Equal programme’s trainees.
Opportunities Specialist in Mannheim,
germany. I qualified as a social worker Sounds great. What did these sessions
specialising in adolescent mental health, look like?
but ultimately ended up moving into We met for six incredibly interesting and
training and development. dynamic sessions. The group determined
the key areas and topics for discussion
In 1991 I embarked on a freelance career for each, and preparation work was
as a Management and Organisational needed in between meetings.
Development Consultant.
We worked on a range of topics from
How did you get involved with Knights? personal presentation and creating a
As is so often the case, it was almost by professional image through to
chance - I heard about the centre understanding how to engage in social
through the Chairman. I have always conversations in professional settings.
been very impressed with the work of We also looked at improving professional
the centre, and have supported its work vocabulary and verbal skills. In addition
with annual donations. to personal skills, we also focused on
how to effectively work in teams and
How has your involvement changed? improving group decision-making skills.
I had heard and read so much about the
18

19. What was your impression of the Any messages for other current or
trainees? future Friends?
It is difficult to convey in words quite Well, perhaps just a word in the ear for
how impressed I was with the energy, any training professionals out there. If
commitment and engagement the group you want a blast of renewed motivation
brought to each of our meetings. Their and inspiration, then look no further
sheer determination to make their lives – than giving your time and talents to
and the lives of the young people they Knights to find a personally and
work with – safer and more fulfilled professionally rewarding experience. I
deserves the highest praise, admiration sincerely hope I get other opportunities
and our ongoing support. It was a pure to be involved.
pleasure meeting and working with such
amazing young people.
Being a Friend
Over the last year we have seen the number of people wanting to Please get in touch
become a Friend of the youth centre steadily increase. This is with Stu on
reflected not only in the number of donations we receive, but also 020 8674 4055.
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.
19

20. Knights
on
tour

21. Raisin’ Romania
In September 2009, Knights embarked Love project. After a morning on the high
on a mission to take on a ten day social ropes, which included a huge, valley-
action project in Lunca Bradului, a small, spanning zip wire that crossed both a
immensely deprived and remote village river and a road, the team were ready for
in the Carparthian Mountains of action.
Romania.
unfortunately, their first experience of
The team making the journey consisted Lunca Bradului ended in a volatile
of seven young people, two youth incident instigated by two locals, one the
workers and two film makers. local Police officer. All of a sudden the
entire trip was at risk.
The group had already demonstrated
their ability to overcome adversity and As it turned out, it was a significant
burst through the pain barrier by turning point in the journey. The team,
completing the River Wye 100 Mile many of which may have dealt with such
Kayak Challenge in May (for the record, an event in a far more negative and
ours was the fastest Kayak team). The aggressive manner in South London,
Challenge was completed in just over remained calm throughout.
three days and, in addition to
sponsorship raised from elsewhere, the The following morning they were ready
team raised more than £5,000 for the and willing to return to the village and
Romania project. finish what they had started,
demonstrating not only their fantastic
A couple of months later, the team found strength of character but also their deep
themselves in the mountains of sense of commitment to the mission
Romania, supporting the work of Integro they had started building together back
Ministries and in particular the Bridge of on the river Wye.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
53,643 the number of strokes per person during the 100 mile challenge
21

22. 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

23. to the main road by planning and painting a huge mural showing Raisin’ Romania
landmarks from both London and Lunca. isn’t the first
project of its kind
Aside from building, repairing and painting, the team spent time for Knights - back in
2007 we took a
working with local young people. They invited more than sixty
team of young
kids to their cabin for a day of face painting, football, basketball people to Rwanda.
and team games, ending with a barbecue and a good old- Our thoughts are
fashioned party. The children all went home with useful goodies now turning to
such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries. 2011.
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.
23

24. Snow camp
Snow 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

26. 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.

28. Changing attitudes
Knights has taken young people to When Knights – or any of the youth
Hindleap Warren – a London Youth groups we work with – bring young
outdoor education centre set high in people from these backgrounds to
Ashdown Forest – for over 20 years. Hindleap Warren however, the new
Tony Smith, Centre Manager at environment gives everyone an
Hindleap, explains how getting out of opportunity to start again. In addition to
town helps young people to think something that is fun and exciting, we
differently. are very good at creating a ‘safe’
experience where young people are free
I remember Knights bringing young from their social norms, won’t be judged
people to Hindleap Warren since my and can achieve successes.
earliest working days at the centre some
twenty years ago. It’s all about encouraging the young
people to take a risk and deviate from
Whether in 1990 or in 2010 however, their normal behaviour patterns. We do
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.
28

29. that through setting challenges which are them taking new attitudes to peers,
made fun, allowing them to more easily youth workers and even authority.
take a risk and focus on possible
successes. We facilitate discussion too, Changing the attitudes of some of the
planning tailored sessions that challenge most challenging young people is a great
young people to consider questions thing to aim for, and it’s an aim we share
around what is important, difficult or with Knights. For as long as I’ve worked
courageous and how this might vary with them, I’ve never known Knights take
from person to person. the ‘easy’ option. They work hard to
create good relationships and provide a
In this ‘safe’ environment, pre- strong, sympathetic and supportive
determined behaviour and relationships service for every young person that
can be reassessed. The young person can comes through their door.
ask themselves if, out here, they really
have to follow the behaviour pattern We look forward to providing adventures
they follow at home. Having the freedom and successes for Knights’ members for
to try things in a new way often results in the next twenty years.
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
68 the total number trips that took place outside the centre during 2009/10
29

30. 2009-10
A year at Knights

31. “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

32. Climbing mountains
Having joined It’s been a big twelve months for Knights. Stu Thomson, Youth
Knights as Senior Service Director, gets out his crampons.
Youth Worker in
January 2000, Stu At our annual Knights Youth Centre Team Weekend in October
Thomson
2009 we started preparing for 2010, developing a strategic plan
celebrated ten
years at the centre for our service. Six months later a team of members and leaders
this year. 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
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
17 the average number of young people attending Knights sessions this year
32

33. 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

34. 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”.

35. Sex Factor
Forget Simon Cowell, embarrassing auditions and one hit Did you know that
wonders. Forget telephone votes and Cheryl Cole’s hair. Lambeth has one of
This is Sex Factor. the highest teenage
pregnancy rates in
the UK? The rate of
It is often worrying to hear how little young people know about
15-17 year olds
themselves and the opposite sex. Most of what they know falling pregnant in
they’ve learned on the street – and much of it is misguided and the borough was
unhelpful. 71.5 in 1,000 in
2008.
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.
35

36. Challenges and trophies
Simon Minott, Knights’ newest recruit, of more ‘targeted work’, but my job will
talks us through his role at the centre be to work with the team to take it
and views on youth work. forward. The RIO programme and
increased street-level engagement will
You joined the centre back in April. be a core part of what I do.
Where have you come from?
Before joining Knights I was involved Knights is obviously a very well
with a number of projects in the London established youth centre, but hopefully I
Borough of Lewisham. For nearly 20 can bring new drive and vision to the
years I have worked mainly with more table. I will bring different ideas and
‘challenging’ young people, for example theories about how to have an impact on
offenders or those who have been the lives of young people.
excluded from school. I’ve had plenty of
experience working with young men in What’s your biggest challenge?
particular, and helping to prevent their I think the biggest challenge we’re all
involvement with gangs. facing is around being trusted by young
people enough to really talk about their
How does Knights differ? issues. Our youth work needs to help
Knights is unique. It has a long history young people get over the paranoia and
and a great heritage to go with it. The natural distrust that sometimes emerges
management, who have been in it for as a result of past experiences. If we’re
years and bring huge passion to the really going to engage with the more
centre, are a breath of fresh air. The challenging young people, we need to
facilities are great, too. find ways to dig a bit deeper.
And how do you see your role? How do you go about building trust?
Knights has already got huge experience A big part of youth work in this context is
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
38 the number of awards Knights gave to young people this year
36

37. being able to show you understand. I’m How does Knights tackle this change?
looking to bring something to the centre Knights has to aim to provide young
that I’m calling ‘real talk’: essentially people with positive and dynamic
talking shops for members. options to compete with the negative
ones – and it does. Crucially, young
You don’t have to be black, from the people also need ‘trophies’.
same estate or even from the same area,
but shared experiences and genuinely Trophies?
enjoying their company matter. You have Sure. Knights needs to be a place where
to let young people connect with you. achievement and success is possible.
Knights is already great at this, but it’s
Are things changing for young people? something I really believe in.
I’m not here to bash anyone, but things
are changing. Schools, for example: in Everything we do should involve a
years gone by, exclusion would be a very balance of fun and achievement. Yes,
different experience - there was a Knights provides the things a young
greater chance of rejoining school life. person needs – fun, fulfilling and healthy
now excluded young people are far more stuff in a safe environment. But we need
likely to rebel even further. to make sure that we continue to blend
that with offering achievement and
Disadvantaged young people need to success, whether we’re playing football,
feel like there are still positive options for camping or climbing in the Alps.
them. unfortunately, the options for
young people on the edges of society are That mix leads to new life skills, positive
getting far more dangerous. Young opportunities and attitudes for young
people are getting caught up in more people, and a youth centre playing its
risky behaviours. Kids pushing drugs are part in the Every Child Matters agenda.
getting younger. It’s what we’re here for.
37

38. Reachin’ Out
In 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

39. Three of the ‘Peak Five’

40. Ron Saunders
In February 2010 we mourned the sad or coordinating mammoth bi-annual
passing of Ron Saunders. fundraising jumble sales, Ron threw
himself with a contagious enthusiasm
Ron was the life and soul of Knights into all aspects of Knights life. He was
Youth Centre for over half a century. aided throughout by his equally
Junior Leader and Club Secretary before committed and selfless wife, Pat, who he
he was 20, Ron moved on to looking met at the club.
after Inters in the sixties and Seniors in
the seventies. At that point Seniors was Ron continued to visit Knights regularly
attended by an average of 80 members to help maintain the building well into
every week. his older years. He enjoyed striking up
new relationships with TYLAP trainees,
Ron acted as Chairman in the eighties, testament to how his ever-friendly,
but always preferred to ‘get his hands loving and non-judgemental personality
dirty’. Whether managing five football was addictive to people of all
teams, masterminding trips to the Island generations. Ron edited a history of the
40

41. centre to mark its 70th birthday in 2006, Ron requested that friends attending his
and continued to enjoy the company of funeral make donations to Knights rather
the Knights ‘Old Boys’ right up until he than bring flowers. If you would like to
passed away. make a donation in Ron’s memory, or
would like an e-copy of his Knights’
It is impossible to say how many people, history, ‘Three Score Years and Ten’,
young and old, have benefited from please get in touch.
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
Three Score
other people, Ron considered it a Years
and
privilege to ‘serve’ at Knights and with
Knights’ people. The club held a very Ten
special place in his heart. There will not
be another like him - he is sorely missed
by all at Knights.
41

42. Thinking positive
Education and personal development Here they go unchallenged, nurtured by
consultancy Mentivation Services is negative lifestyle conditioning:
helping Knights’ male members think materialism; sexualised movies and
more positively and avoid getting music that glamorise violence; and
sucked into gang lifestyle. Michael computer games that encourage the
Dawswell talks through how they’ve view that anti-social behaviour is
worked with Knights. rewarding.
Recent research commissioned by Mentivation Services is an education and
Lambeth Council found there were 40 personal development consultancy that
gangs operating in the borough. aims to tackle those negative
Researchers linked the growing number assumptions. We work with some of the
of gangs with rising levels of violence and most difficult young people from all ages,
crime among young people. backgrounds and cultures in some very
challenging settings. In Lambeth, we
These are shocking figures, but figures have been tasked with supporting young
that have their root in changing people experiencing difficulties in
circumstances for young people. Young education, the community or in the
men in particular feel disenfranchised home, helping to reduce serious youth
and marginalised from mainstream violence and reoffending.
society, leading to low self-esteem,
confidence and education or To do this we join with other agencies,
employment aspirations. These issues groups and organisations already
feed into a mindset that society has working with young people. Working in
nothing to offer them and ultimately that partnership with those organisations
violence and crime are acceptable means allows us to identify those young people
of achieving material goal and peer who need help the most. We can help
respect. them find ways to cope with the issues
they encounter through workshops and
A great deal of these negative one-to-one mentoring.
assumptions are sown in early years.
42

43. 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 people who attended our sessions stated
a respectful and engaging environment. afterwards that the programme was
helping them to reject or rethink
We were commissioned to facilitate our previously held attitudes.
six-week Fix up! programme at the
centre to complement the work they Whilst some would describe many
were already doing. Fix up! is a series of Knights’ members as being ‘hard to
gang awareness workshops that provide reach’, our experience was of working
an in-depth analysis of the influences with a group of young people who
and consequences of gang culture. Each wanted to engage with adults and
session was aimed at examining and organisations who care about them.
challenging Knights members’ thinking, Much of this is down to the dedicated
particularly on any potential team of professionals at Knights who
misconstrued acceptance of gang have created a safe and comfortable
lifestyle. environment for young people, and
developed trusted relationships with
Starting in January 2010, the workshops them.
addressed a range of issues from getting
to grips with the law and the impact of Mentivation Services will be running a
carrying weapons through to the prison further eight-week rolling workshop
experience and understanding the programme at Knights from September
influence of the media. An 2010.
overwhelming majority of the young
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
1 the number of London mayors shocked to see a group of lads pile out from
a Knights minibus on Pentonville Road
43

44. “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

45. Police partnership
Knights 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

46. Building relationships
Angela Robinson joined Knights in 2008 friends, but there’s an opportunity to
to help reinvigorate Girls @ Knights and address important issues with them too.
work with the Juniors section, which is
now attended by 40 young people twice What kind of issues?
a week. Angela gave us the lowdown on Issues around growing up, mainly. Most
her role and what’s in store for the of the girls that come along are reaching
future. a crucial period of change in their life
and making the transition from primary
You took an unusual route into youth to secondary school. Of course, these
work… changes bring with them a range of
Actually I’ve always done youth work, potential issues. We work with them to
but previously my ‘day job’ was writing build their self esteem and confidence,
for the likes of Just 17 and the BBC. I essentially helping them learn how to
decided to go back to university to take a handle themselves. Sometimes it’s about
Masters in Youth and Community Work helping them recognise and think
and, before joining Knights, was working through how they deserve to be treated
at the head office of a church youth and how they should treat others. We
department. talk about everything from sexuality and
body image through to being careful and
What is your role at Knights? smart.
I have always been particularly
interested in working with young women Slowly, the group is getting older. new
and, in addition to leading the Juniors issues, like handling relationships, will
section, one of my first responsibilities appear on the horizon. Of course, many
was to reinvigorate the girls @ Knights of these areas are discussed at school,
programme. It’s really grown over the but Knights provides another,
last couple of years and we now have a complementary way to get information
core group of girls who regularly attend - across. Everyone is different, and
probably between eight and ten each a sometimes a more personal, informal
week. Of course, the sessions provide and straight-talking environment suits
somewhere safe and fun to go with their young people best.
46

47. How do you go about broaching these attracting young people of this age to
subjects? Knights, and not only because we can
Fundamentally, youth work is relational. hopefully start them on a Knights
Relationships work on different levels – ‘journey’. Even at a young age you see
you have to get to know the young evidence of potentially negative
people to build trust and then engage behaviours and attitudes setting in, but
with them, creating opportunities to talk we can take steps to challenge young
with and listen to them. people’s thinking – essentially early
intervention.
What are the girls like to work with?
They’re a great group and lots of fun to Why is Knights so important?
work with. In some ways many girls Because everyone learns differently.
these days have huge amounts of Sometimes schools or parents struggle,
confidence, but sometimes that and a good youth centre can offer
confidence comes out in the wrong ways. something different to the mix. Knights is
Of course, there’s also the very special somewhere a young person has chosen
dynamic that is created when girls get to come and hang out, and we can use
together to contend with! Where activities they enjoy to ‘get through’. It’s
possible we look to challenge negative informal education.
behaviours, and help the young people
to channel their confidence in the right We can, and do, talk about the ‘big’
way. things. Hopefully, we can open young
people’s eyes to new things and ways of
You work with Juniors, too… thinking. I think this is an area where
Yes, and in fact many of the members Knights is at its best – taking risks with
from girls @ Knights also come to the most challenging young people and
Juniors. It’s probably Knights’ biggest building relationships with them.
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
KnIgHTS In nuMBERS
132 the number of ‘street sessions’ delivered by Knights during 2009/10
47

48. Accounts
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.
Income
Expenditure

49. More recently however, the world in similar reasons, the Jack Petchey
which we operate has changed Foundation has had to review its funding
dramatically, too, with far reaching strategy. Two years into a three year
implications for our finances. award, we are now receiving a
significantly lower level of support than
Benefactors, partners and friends anticipated.
Despite the uncertain economic climate,
funding partners continue to see the These developments gave us an early
value of the services Knights offers young and worrying experience of the
people. We receive incredible support. challenging economic environment we
are now working in. Even immediate
Lambeth Borough Council funds the housekeeping changes could not help us
girls @Knights Project and Senior avoid a very significant shortfall. Our
Outreach Project. We hope their support urgent bid to the Hardship Fund grant
for these posts and other projects will was therefore crucial.
continue after the first set of budget cuts
which are now upon us. The government-backed Hardship Fund
has provided Knights with a bridging
In addition to fully funding the Walcot grant of £88,000. That Knights was one
Apprenticeship programme, the Walcot of a modest number of organisations to
Foundation also provides significant receive an award from over 500
support for TYLAP. applicants was testament to the
importance and quality of our work.
We received fantastic support following
the publication of last year’s Annual grants received from Lloyds TSB, Tudor
Report, including over 100 individual Trust, Clapham Park, Mercers, Lambeth
donations. £2,500 was also raised as Ron Ward and the Elizabeth and Prince
Saunders’ family and friends celebrated Zaiger Trust, enabled us to balance our
his life back in February. Even though the books last year. nevertheless, we have
amount is modest in proportion to the taken further steps to help us secure the
whole, the continued support of our funding we need - Stu Thomson’s new
Friends remains invaluable. role, for example - and reviewed all
running expenditure.
Managing in uncertain times
In the space of two weeks last summer, We would like to take this opportunity to
Knights lost funding from two of our thank the many organisations and
major supporters. individuals who have supported us over
the last year. Hopefully this report
While we are still in discussions with conveys the huge and ambitious range of
them, the BBC Children in Need grant is services Knights continues to provide
currently on hold after ten years fantastic young people. Without your support, it
support due to unprecedented demands would not be possible.
placed on the charity. Elsewhere, and for
49

50. Looking forward

51. The future
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.
51