Project 2020: activities for young people

The Project 2020 Off Road Hub in Northumberland Park offers engagement activities for young people 3 evenings a week, and during the half-term holiday. These activities include homework club on a Wednesday, music project on a Thursday and open access on Friday.

The Hub provides a safe space for young people aged 11 to 19 to participate in structured activities. Young people can also access opportunities to go on educational and social trips to widen their knowledge and raise their aspirations, this includes sponsorship to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Youth programme

Homework Club on Wednesdays, 4pm to 6pm enables young people to access the support and help they need to complete their homework in an informal setting. This includes access to computers and laptops and individual one-to-one support to aid them with their progression and identify any extra needs.

The Off Road Hub benefits from having a music studio and recording booth and offers young people the opportunity to participate in a weekly music workshop that teaches them various aspects of production, recording and mixing music.

The half term programmes delivered over the course of the year attracted an average of 30 to 40 young people a week. Each took part in structured fun activities including first aid, bike maintenance, health and well-being, team building challenges, cooking, arts and crafts, outdoor sports, quizzes and talent shows.

Open access youth facilities include pool, table tennis, table football, gaming, arts and crafts, board games and other fun and life skills activities.

History

Haringey Council launched the Project 2020 Hub on Northumberland Park Estate, Tottenham in 2012. The hub was set up in response to summer disturbances that took place in 2011 and the initial target group were young people aged 16 to 24 who were not in employment, education or training. Project 2020 aimed to engage and support these people into career pathways by offering a bespoke training option, popular activities such as a pool table and music recording studio alongside a weekly job club. This helped to teach new skills and, for some, has meant moving away from potentially a life of crime and gang culture.

Project 2020 has since widened its offering to help all local residents to receive access to employment, training, volunteering and work experience opportunities.

Since it started, Project 2020 has helped over 400 people into paid work, training or apprenticeships.