Heritage of London Trust, the charity that rescues London’s historic buildings and uses their restoration to give young people practical skills and career opportunities, opens its Proud Places Hub at One Golden Lane, near the Barbican, in partnership with property developer Castleforge. The Hub will offer free heritage and creative skills to young people at a moment of national crisis in youth opportunity.
Proud Places is a London-wide programme which builds skills and create opportunities for thousands of young Londoners. The new Hub is a permanent home for the programme, providing a new creative and heritage crafts space for young people in the City of London.
The Hub opens as the scale of the challenge facing young people comes into sharp focus.
The government’s interim Young People and Work review found that nearly one million, or one in eight, people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Additionally, the evidence coming out of the Child First youth justice system framework increasingly focuses on providing young people with the right opportunities as a prevention tool.
The Proud Places Hub is a direct, practical response, aiming to reach 1,000 in its first year, in addition to 3,000 involved in the wider Proud Places programme. It will provide free heritage craft workshops and creative opportunities for young people aged 11 to 18, many from alternative provision schools, refugee communities and low-income households, building the skills, confidence and sense of possibility that help young people take their first steps towards work. Training on offer ranges from stonemasonry, gilding and heritage crafts to broader creative workshops and communication skills.
The Hub will also host Proud Prospects, a career development programme offering young people a pathway into heritage, the creative industries, design and architecture, alongside access to a wide range of businesses in the City. Volunteers from local firms will support the programming with presentation skills training, events and exhibitions.
Phil Bowen, Chair of the Youth Justice Board, the independent public body that oversees the youth justice system for children in England and Wales, will give the keynote address at the Hub’s opening. He said: “Strong evidence shows what a huge difference it makes when we see children for their strengths and potential, giving them a pro-social identity and the right opportunities at the right time. Proud Places is a great example of how this is put in practice, and I am excited to open the Hub today where young people can build confidence and imagine a positive future.”
The Hub sits within the retained heritage part of One Golden Lane, once the site of the renowned Cripplegate Institute, a philanthropic foundation established to support the poor of London. Originally designed in 1896 by Tate Britain architect Sidney Smith, One Golden Lane has been reimagined by Castleforge to provide 120,000 square feet of modern, flexible workspace, including 7,000 square feet of terraces and roof gardens.
Dr Nicola Stacey, Director of Heritage of London Trust, said:
“Talent and ambition are spread across London, but opportunity is not. For many of the young people we work with, doors can begin to close at a critical point in their lives. This is why we’re bringing the Proud Places Hub into the heart of the City, where young people can develop practical and creative skills, make great contacts and find career pathways.
“Every experience will be tailored and shaped with the young people taking part, providing them with skills, confidence and pride in what they can achieve. This will be a true connection hub for young Londoners and we’re excited to welcome all to join us.”
Michael Kovacs, Founding Partner of Castleforge, said: “One Golden Lane is about more than creating a workplace. The words Science, Education and Art still mark its historic façade, and with Heritage of London Trust, the Proud Places Hub puts that purpose back to work. By giving young Londoners skills, confidence and opportunity, we are honouring the Cripplegate Institute’s legacy and helping write its next chapter.”
The Hub serves communities within and around the City, where social challenges sit alongside affluence. Some local wards record crime rates well above the national average, and hidden deprivation continues to affect young people living nearby even as the City’s wealth flourishes. A number of City firms will be supporting the programming at the Hub, including Jones Day law firm. The Proud Places Hub has been developed in partnership with Castleforge and Futurecity.
