CSV Springboard Hackney learning centre launched its fantastic Red Route café last week with the aim of attracting more young local people to the Centre and supporting them with hands-on experience through volunteering and training opportunities.
Born out of a meeting at The Levy Centre in August 2011 between Lord Levy and Richard Lockwood, the day after the worst day of rioting across London, CSV Springboard Hackney was offered investment from the Lockwood Charitable Foundation to develop a community café for local people to come together as well as gaining valuable work experience and training.
Special guests at the event included local dignitaries, Hackney-born Lord Levy, café sponsor Richard Lockwood, music impresario Pete Waterman, as well as several young learners who volunteered at the event and performed an evening's entertainment for guests.
Lord Levy, President of CSV said: "The extraordinarily generous donation from the Lockwood Charitable Foundation has made this special project possible. Richard Lockwood visited the Hackney Springboard on the day after the riots and instantly recognised the amazing potential of the Centre and made a strong commitment there and then to help enhance the learning environment for the young people here, and not just financially but with his remarkable energy and wisdom too.
"The launch of the café is demonstrative of how CSV is investing in young people in a borough which has seen its fair share of problems. I've no doubt the social enterprise will be a wonderful opportunity for our young learners to gain crucial skills and training through volunteering opportunities here, as well as utilizing the café as a hub to meet and attract new people through its doors."
Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: "Springboard has provided an invaluable service to Hackney's young people for many years, offering learning and training opportunities to those who need it most. Initiatives such as The Red Route Cafe play a vital role in our communities by ensuring our young people can easily access the support and encouragement they need to help equip them with skills and confidence for future training and employment."