Londoners have united behind the Evening Standard’s campaign to tackle gangs in the capital — with schools, companies, the Government and members of the public generously offering to support social enterprises formed by ex-gang members.
Hundreds of readers wrote in to give their backing and more than 50 direct enquiries were received via our Frontline London campaign website to hire or mentor the three social enterprises.
Offers of business and mentoring have come in from The Natural History Museum, Cass Business School, The School of Oriental and African Studies, Quintessentially Events, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Pimlico Plumbers, and Alexandra Park School in Haringey.
Together with our campaign partner Kids Company, we are backing removals company All in All Transit, event planners NewBiggz and the FAB Arts drama workshop group. We have provided each company with a £10,000 start-up grant from the Dispossessed Fund.
All in All Transit have been inundated with job offers and have been working flat-out on quotes and paid jobs that have come in from Standard readers.
NewBiggz have accepted an offer to be mentored by My Beautiful City, the event planning company that organised the Serpentine Summer Party as well as designer events at London Fashion Week and has worked with a host of celebrities, from Lily Cole to David Beckham.
The Cabinet Office has also offered to help. Nick Hurd, the Minister for Civil Society, said: “I want to offer the Frontline London social entrepreneurs a government mentor to guide them through the financial and other support which is out there.
"I’d like them to come and meet my Cabinet Office team who are dedicated to helping social entrepreneurs to enable them to grow their ideas, enterprises and impact.” Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the Evening Standard and patron of the Dispossessed Fund, said: “Over the past few years, the energy and generosity of Evening Standard readers has been overwhelming.
“They have responded to our campaigns and calls to action with a spirit that shows how deeply they care for this great city.
“I have personally been humbled by the messages of support for our work on gangs, and want to thank everyone who has contributed. There is still much crucial work to do, of course; but this is an excellent start.”
