Our Redbridge Branch was launched in 2006 and responds to the reality that although this Borough in the North East of London is a relatively affluent one, there remain pockets of relative poverty often disguised by the affluence throughout the area. Services tend to be focused around the borough focal points and do not always reach some of the more isolated communities.

The Christian community is recognizing a need for a more joined up response to the issue of disaffection among young people and Worth Unlimited is supporting the growth of new initiatives with training and support frameworks.

Towards Inclusion
An alternative education programme at The Bridge Community Venue for up to 12 young people who for various reasons dropped out of school before starting their year 10 or 11 careers. The programme of activities delivered over three days each week and primarily utilises our World Worth Living In programme.

One of the key features of this programme has been the partnerships we have built and utilised with a range of professional organisations, including the London Fire Brigade, City of London Forest Rangers, and The Bridge Cafe. These opportunities expose the young people to a wide variety of real life working experiences.

Over the past couple of years we have provided year long and 12 week programmes.

That Reading Thing
Thanks to funding from the Jack Petchey Foundation and Awards for All we recruit and train Reading Mentors from the local community to work with young people for just an hour each fortnight to help them develop the skills and understanding needed to become competent readers and writers. That Reading Thing is a great programme which helps even those who don’t believe that they can to become capable readers.

Donations
You can donate on-line to the work of Worth Unlimited by clicking here

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Karen Watson/Angela Smeed
c/o The Bridge Community Venue
208 Maybank Road
South Woodford
E18 1ET

Tel: 020 8505 5001
E-mail: karen@worthunlimited.co.uk angela.smeed@worthunlimited.co.uk

During the Work Related Learning Project 8 young people achieved attendance levels of over 70%. One achieved 93% throughout the whole year.

Of the 6 year 11 students leaving the project, 3 are going onto college, 1 has found work, 1 is actively seeking work.

What the young people thought :

“I learnt how to respect others and to understand others eg old people.”

“When I first came here I was so angry and scared and now I am happy to be coming to this place.”

“Now I want to go back to school”

“In the past I couldn’t stay in school because I kept on mucking about. “

“I never used to attend school and always used to be late. This year I have a really good attendance”

“I really enjoyed being here and I appreciate all the things they have done for me. It has changed me a lot”

“I feel that I have matured and grown as a person. I can now control myself in situations where before I wouldn’t have been able to.”

“I have fined tuned all my key skills…being able to keep calm in uneasy situations”

“I have realised that everyone is equal and has equal opportunities”

“I have really enjoyed being here. I feel it has changed me as a person.”

Podcast
Click Here to hear more from the young people themselves (10.6mb MP3 file)