Why XLP?
XLP stands for "The eXceL
Project"; a registered charity (No. 1101095) at the
cutting edge of urban youth work in the U.K.. It was started by Patrick
Regan in Peckham, South London, in 1996 after a stabbing in a school
playground. The school were at a loss as to how to deal with an increase in
violence amongst its pupils. They needed someone to speak to the kids and
address the issues they were facing. Patrick, a leading youth worker, answered
the call. XLP now serves young people in schools and communities across 7
of the London’s poorest boroughs (Southwark, Lewisham, Greenwich, Newham, Tower
Hamlets, Camden and Islington).
One overwhelming
problem Patrick has found in his 15 years of youth work is that many young
people have no sense of hope or future; they lack ambition or vision in their
lives. As Patrick says in his book ("Conspiracy of the
Insignificant", Nov 2007), "it was overwhelming to see all these
problems and barriers to these kids leading healthy and fulfilling lives and
easy to think that there was nothing we could do to change anything.
Amazingly, somehow something as simple as a lunch club seemed to make a real
difference." Now, on a monthly basis, XLP operates in over 50
schools (P.H.S.E/Citizenship lessons, assemblies, lunch-time clubs, music,
drama, R.E. and reading support), hosts over 65 after-school clubs in local
communities and on its double-decker bus facility (computers upstairs and youth
“drop-in” downstairs), runs the COACH 1-2-1 Mentoring project and the X-Mobile
studio facility, and organises an Arts Showcase programme. It has a wealth of
experience of organising grassroots youth projects all year round and is
continually striving to introduce trail blazing youth initiatives.
In working with young
people in London, XLP recognises that a high percentage of them struggle: their
home-life is often financially and emotionally challenging; many find
themselves academically low achievers as they struggle with English as a second
language; attitudes and behavioural needs often alienate them from their own
families and communities and undermine their sense of self-worth. Many are
either excluded, or at risk of exclusion from school, and consequently often
rediscover their identity through gang related anti-social behaviour.
XLP is delivering 3
clear outcomes:
1. transformed
attitudes and behaviours of young people towards their families, their peers,
their teachers and others;
2. a
raised sense of their self-worth, self-esteem, and educational achievement, so
that they can confidently and positively contribute to society; and
3. encouraged
and empowered young people who have goals, work hard to achieve them, and make
wise lifestyle choices.
For over a decade,
XLP has witnessed numerous positive stories of young people whose futures have
been radically changed. They have moved from a life of hopelessness to a life
of hope and purpose. These stories rarely get aired but they are the fuel
that keeps XLP’s vision alive. In 2003, XLP received the Queen’s Golden
Jubilee Award for service to the community for working with and supporting
schools, families and communities in London.
XLP is hugely
grateful to its sponsors and supporters (some of whom are referenced below). It
is always looking to establish further relationships to support its existing
work, to enable new projects to be launched, and to expand into additional
boroughs.
Paul Hamlyn
Foundation, Liquid Capital Group, Glimmer of Hope Foundation, Safer
London Foundation, Mercers’ Company, Terra Firma, Future, Ogle Trust, Greenbelt
Trust, Simon Hughes MP (Patron), Boris Johnson (Mayor of London), Ian
Duncan Smith MP, Stephen Timms MP, Tony Eastaugh (Police Borough
Commander), Mike Pilavachi (Soul Survivor).
http://www.youtube.com/xlplondon http://www.xlp.me.uk
http://www.xlp.org.uk
