Nick Boles, a prospective mayoral candidate, is today launching Good Neighbours, a scheme to help youth groups in deprived areas of London raise money from those generating new wealth in the City.
Most small, independent youth charities work with young people growing up in very different circumstances and receive little or no support from central or local government. Good Neighbours will work by linking grassroots youth projects with people and businesses in London who are financially successful and by offering ways for Londoners to give their time and money. It will encourage donors to make long-term commitments and to support the core costs of groups rather than just new projects, which so often attract statutory funding.
Good Neighbours has already started work with groups like Eastside Young Leaders Academy a leadership development initiative which works with young African Caribbean boys in Newham, and XLP which works with young people in Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley, Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Good Neighbours is partnering with a new charity, Future, which will vet youth groups seeking support and prepare reports for donors on the outcome of their investment. The challenge for Good Neighbours and Future will be to constantly seek out the small, grassroots charities always emerging as well as supporting the charities their support has already helped.
Nick Boles said:
"In recent months, London has seen a spate of gang murders involving children killing other children. At the same time, just a few miles away, other Londoners have been making unprecedented fortunes from hedge funds, private equity and investment banking.I believe that the solution to London's problems lie within our own community. We are all neighbours in London. And good neighbours help each other in times of need.
"I am confident that the people currently enjoying spectacular success in the City want to do their bit to give all of London's young people opportunities to learn and grow and to build confidence in themselves and their futures. But many of these new millionaires are busy people who work very hard and they need someone to make it easy for them. That is what Good Neighbours will do.
All very nice, but you can't substitute this for a serious campaign.
Posted by: Claire Wheeler | June 18, 2007 at 11:48
Nice to see someone in the Mayoral race doing something practical rather than just moaning about Ken Livingstone...
Posted by: Eliza | June 18, 2007 at 12:28
An excellent initiative. It is David Cameron's social responsiility agenda in practical form.
Posted by: bluepatriot | June 19, 2007 at 08:22
This seems an excellent idea. A shame it hasn't recieved more publicity. Good luck Nick.
Posted by: malcolm | June 21, 2007 at 10:52
Does Nick Boles support paying the fire station cleaners a decent wage?
This would be a good way to show that the disparity between rich and poor can be addressed with practical action.
http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/news.php?slug=Low-Pay-Row-Erupts-Over-Fire-Authority-Cleaners&article_id=684
Posted by: David | June 21, 2007 at 17:59