My name is Sarah-Jane Biggs. I am a local resident that was born in Camden and still lives in the borough. I was educated in a local primary school and attended secondary school here too.
The findings in this zine are the result of my work as a Citizen Social Scientist that was a collaboration between Camden Council and UCL.
I chose to focus my project on the youth sector and conducted research via local residents, businesses and social enterprises in the borough.
I wanted to understand what opportunities there are for young people, who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds or who may not ‘fit’ into established pathways of education, training, or apprenticeships. I also wanted to see if the youth in the borough had an interest in business ideas and if these could be supported by the new Camden Community Wealth Fund.
Pseudonym names have been used where you see this symbol *
STATISTICS
When children leave school, they must be able to pursue their dream in Camden - whether it be through further education, employment or starting their own business.
- We Make Camden
Almost one in three children in the borough of Camden live in poverty, which has grown by 42% in the last six years.
Via data from the 2021 Census, at least 18% of the youth population in Camden leaves education with no qualifications.
A survey conducted by Camden Youth in 2023 showed that 69% of young people in the borough felt a lack of youth services were a reason for violent crime committed by young people.
In the past few years, Camden has come together in new and inspiring ways to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the borough.
In March 2022, we published We Make Camden –our refreshed vision for the future of Camden. It sets out what we want to collectively achieve and lead together and was developed following conversations with residents, partners and community leaders.
We Make Camden highlights the big issues facing Camden that we all agree are important, alongside practical ways we can make change together and the change we want to see in the short, medium and long term. We’d love for as many people as possible to get involved.
We Make Camden www.wemakecamden.org.uk/
whY ARE STORIES IMPORTANT?
To gain an understanding of how services in the community are working, it is vital to talk to local people and listen to their stories. We must allow residents to say how they feel, be it good or bad.
Camden is a borough of hugely mixed communities with many young people at its core.
For the most part this works harmoniously but there is a very large gap between families of young people who are living in comfort and those that are really struggling with the current cost of living crisis.
The implication of this is that some young people living here may miss out on opportunities available to them.
Listening to the voices of those people who may be living this experience or working with youth gave an eye-opening view of how Camden Council may allocate the funding, what needs attention, and how local issues must be addressed. This is the importance of stories.
‘Ever ything’s a story. You are a story. I am a story.’
Francis Hodgson Burnett
STORY #01: Debbie & Natalie *
Debbie and Natalie are two of four siblings who were born and educated in Camden in the late 90s.
They are from a wonderfully loving family with a lot of support around them. Unfortunately, due to the economic situation, their parents lost their home and subsequently had to move back to their grandfather’s house in Kilburn.
Given there were four children under the age of 10 this was a challenge and not a long-term solution. They were entered into the housing system and placed in various hostels around the borough for several years.
At this time, the elder two children were attending a nursery in Fortune Green. Their Mum had nowhere to go during the day with the two younger children and the environment kindly allowed her to bring them there each day despite them not being of an age where they would traditionally be accepted.
Debbie and Natalie have both expressed that this was a start in life for them that could have played out very differently. Had they not been able to be amongst other children they would have spent most days in a hostel room with no stimulation or activities. They both said the activities they engaged in at the play setting were really fun and creative. They talked about how engaged their playworkers were and how much attention they were given. The fact there was an age gap between them and the other children was never mentioned and never an issue.
Debbie is now a successful and very talented artist. Natalie attained an English degree and can pretty much tell you anything you need to know about the world!
We were lucky kids that got an opportunity that some others might not have been given. That really encouraged arts and crafts over real academic stuff.
I think it definitely made me bloom in my art work.
Artwork by Debbie *
STORY #02: HOLLIE *
Hollie is the youth worker who suggested to her manager that they allow Debbie, Natalie and their Mum to be at the space where their two older siblings were.
She had worked in youth services for many years and explained how important it is to allow young people to interact with other children and be in a safe space from a young age.
Hollie was a pivotal person in this setting, conducting and managing respite weekends for young people that were from difficult backgrounds and many with SEN requirements.
Hollie continued to work for her local centre after some youth services were disbanded in 2013 but left in 2018.
These services are so important for the inclusivity of young people who are struggling in mainstream settings or living in difficult circumstances and it’s sad that brilliant playworkers have left these wonderful centres.
- Hollie *
STORY #03: IMOGEN *
Imogen is a young woman who was educated in Camden. She missed a lot of school due to health issues. School tried to get her back but once the health system was involved, they backed off and made no contact or effort to support her with remote learning.
She was granted access via the NHS and The Royal Free Hospital to study at a local college that had a specialist unit that dealt with young people with medical/social issues who were unable to be educated in a traditional school setting. She spent most days with young people of varying ages. They weren’t encouraged to be outside and sometimes there were only five or six of them.
She stayed at the college for eight months and qualified with an English GCSE. At a training to prepare candidates for interviews she was designated a careers advisor who set her up for an interview. Imogen refers to the person as being quite ‘pushy’. Imogen stated that the advisor was adamant in steering her on which route to take and at the time there was a shortage of midwives in the NHS. The advisor had suggested that this would be a good career choice despite Imogen not ever suggesting that being something she was interested in.
Via the careers advisor Imogen was referred to an external ‘Pre-apprenticeship’ scheme. She described the experience as horrible and demoralising. As a result of this Imogen spent a long time back at home.
Imogen thankfully applied for a much more suitable apprenticeship scheme that she was accepted for and is currently a very valued member of her team. She recently passed her maths GCSE.
STORY #04: NATHAN & THERESA *
Nathan was a young man who grew up on Maiden Lane Estate. He explains that while he thinks he was probably quite bright, school for him was more about being in a social setting rather than an academic one. He sat his GCSEs at a promising local state school but unfortunately didn’t get the grades that would grant him a place in 6th form.
Nathan had a tutor who could clearly see potential in him and managed to convince the school to allow him a place in the local 6th form contingency. This was an unconventional decision for a teacher to make and probably one that wouldn’t happen today. As a result of this, Nathan maintains that this tutor really changed things for him. He said he wonders where his life would be if he hadn’t managed to enter further education.
Nathan went on to be a business partner in a very successful Estate Agents in Camden Town.
“I sometimes dread to think how my sons’ lives could have turned out. I have three boys, two that were below him at school. Nathan staying in school guided his brothers and they decided to do the same and worked hard to get THE grades they needed. I watched a lot of young men on the estate we were living on end up in not nice situations. Drugs, illegal stuff and sadly in some cases, death.
- Nathan’s mum Theresa *
6th form centre at Acland Burghley
STORY #05: BRIAN *
Brian is an ex-playworker from Camden. He worked in a lot of youth centres in the borough but primarily started in the centre Nathan visited as a teenager on the Maiden Lane Estate.
Brian expressed a lot of sadness at how young people today are so limited in where they can go after school. He talked about there not being communal youth spaces anymore that were accessible for all families. When he was working, everyone could come. Now they must be paid for. Brian feels this now pushes young people onto the streets with nothing to do after school and during the holidays.
Brian went on to work for another local borough’s play services but was made redundant like many youth workers when they were disbanded in 2013.
“I know that a lot of kids we had visiting our setting had lives that didn’t turn out how they should have and I sometimes wonder if we could have changed that if we’d been given the support and funding to CONTINUE running…. to say it’s a shame seems menial. I think it’s a disgrace.
- Brian *
CASE STUDY #01: CORAM’S FIELDS
Coram’s Fields is a space in south Camden that has existed for over 90 years.
It is a setting solely dedicated to children and young people. They have a policy that stipulates ‘no adult can enter without a child’.
The Coram’s Fields Youth Centre caters for young people between the ages of 8-19 years and aims to create a safe space for them in the local community.
The centre’s main initiatives are to encourage young people to move into adulthood with the skills to help them manage challenges they may face later in life and have a better future. All of the staff at the centre have grown up in Camden so understand what is like to be a young person in the borough.
The service is free to anyone in the local community and utilises a space that consists of a social/game area, a gym, football pitch, chill out space and a music studio.
Their outreach team work really hard to recruit young people from the local community to attend the centre and utilise the services they offer such as their free mentoring with the youth workers and study groups to help them with school and college work.
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A lot of the kids that attend our site would have gone off on the wrong path if they HAdn’t come, such as one young person who could have ended up in the criminal justice system. Instead they took the music path with us and now get forty million listens on their Spotify channel.
- Evans (Youth Programme Manager)
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CASE STUDY #02: HF3-PRU
Heath school is part of the H3 Federation, a group of three local schools that operates as a values driven organisation to support and educate young people across Camden. Haverstock, Harmood and Heath Schools all offer support for young people from every background and need.
Heath School is classed as a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) for 11 to 16 year-olds. It offers education for young people from all walks of life that have been permanently excluded or ‘managed moved’ from mainstream settings. They could be children in care, those from single parent families who tend to have an unmet emotional or social need some of which are trauma induced. Heath School supports change by providing education to families about issues such as ADHD. To educate parents about the causes of this. To learn techniques to support and help children suffering by regulating their emotions and helping them cope.
“ ” - HF3 Employee
As a child I had dyslexia and suffered emotionally at school because I wasn’t supported; I wish I had been excluded and had been able to attend a provision like this, it would have saved me.
They support young people who are at risk of exclusion from school, by providing them with a place to talk and by being a listening ear, this can go a long way to connecting with young people.
The staff also develop close and supportive relationships with parents. Young people are appointed an advocate and support to have an independent life. The project has set up a system where young people can earn rewards through good attendance and behaviour. This encourages a sense of responsibility in them.
“We want to give them the best chances and want to provide for them, but to help them manage on their own.... We see every kid with a potential; we will find them a way.
- HF3 Employee
”
The school currently leads on the Camden Pathways Programme for students in years 10 and 11. A borough-wide initiative that offers alternatives to mainstream education. There is an on-site music studio, fully equipped teaching kitchen, hair salon and nail studio as well as access to construction training.
CASE STUDY #03: Pro-Touch
Pro-touch is a non-profit community-based initiative based in Camden market which offers football training to young people.
The initiative began in the boroughs of Camden and Islington and now operates in schools and venues across London.
The programme is funded by grant-giving bodies such as Young Camden Federation and is distinct from other initiatives because it runs at lower costs than other academies. Most students are charged at normal rate, others are offered a discount based on their family’s income, some students are offered scholarships and others are able to attend for free.
Its Academy has enabled students to develop their skill and potential as well as encouraging their self-esteem and confidence. Some students have been fortunate enough to be signed by professional football clubs in the borough. Other young people have completed their training with Pro-Touch and gone on to be football coaches with the academy.
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Young people need to be occupied after school. If they are occupied, it’s harder for them to get into trouble.
- Pro-Touch Employee
”
The demand for football training at Pro-Touch became so high that to avoid turning away students, they established a community-based programme that can reach students who are not as skilled as some of the other players. This programme has been rolled out across London and are now operating in more than fifteen London Boroughs.
“You need people who believe in you, but you also need to believe in yourself.
- Pro-Touch Employee
”- Mus fro m Pro-Touch and his contact email.
CASE STUDY #04: KHADY’S DREAM
Khady’s Dream is an initiative created by Kevin Koffi, a 25-year-old ex-offender, which is designed to help deter young people from becoming involved in criminality and entering the criminal justice system.
Kevin’s mother is Khady. Kevin explained that it is his mother’s dream to prevent other young people from going down the same criminal path that he did and thereby stopping other parents from experiencing the same trauma and worries that she did.
Khady’s Dream is a social initiative that aims to mentor young people and explain the dangers of becoming involved in gang-related activity, drug dealing and “county lines” activities. The initiative is designed to offer young people a sense of the harsh reality of the criminal justice system and prison life which has been glamorised by the music industry and social media in recent years.
Kevin expressed that if there had been guiding adults in his early life that he could relate to he may not have chosen some of the paths he did.
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I needed someone who looks like me, who understood me and the path I was on, to point that out to me.
- Kevin Koffi
”
Khady’s Dream is currently being established in schools, colleges and youth centres across London. It is Kevin’s dream that sessions would be offered in both primary and secondary schools, colleges and youth centres. He recognises there is a need to address many issues relating to youth activity and behaviours from a young age as a means to prevent individuals from going down the ‘wrong route’.
Khady’s Dream is a not-for profit initiative which has been established through funding from grants by local authorities. It is Kevin’s dream to have this as a service for young offenders in the Criminal courts as an alternative initiative established as a treatment in the Criminal Courts as an alternative programme to offer young offenders rather than a custodial sentence.
This is for the Youth…. For the future…
- Kevin Koffi
Sarah-Jane’s thoughts
The research I have conducted during this project has been exceptionally eye-opening. Despite growing up, living and being educated in the borough I have recorded and documented stories that have made me become very passionate about supporting youth in the borough. I have interviewed a variety of young people, businesses, social enterprises and community services to gain an understanding and clear overview of what is currently available and unavailable to young people in Camden.
There have been some clear messages. Everyone that works in the youth sector has a huge passion in trying to ensure that the young people in Camden are granted an opportunity to build a future that is prosperous, be that via youth services or business opportunities, but also that these services need to be supported from a financial perspective.
In my opinion, there is a lack in funding to services that have the potential to create entrepreneurial opportunities for youth in the borough. It is apparent that there are many young individuals living in Camden that want to improve their lives and expand their ideas for businesses, yet, unfortunately, they’re not always in a position to seek the pathways to do so.
I believe that we must find funding to invest in our local youth.
They are our present but more importantly, our future.
REFERENCES
- We Make Camden State of the Borough report.
- Census 2021
- Camden Youth Survey 2023
- Camden Pathways Programme
- Young Camden Federation
CAMDEN COUNCIL CITIZEN
SCIENTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE 2023-2024
Following many successful collaborations, including the Good Life Euston and Euston Young Voices projects, Camden Council have teamed up with the Institute for Global prosperity at University College London to deliver an innovative ‘Citizen Science-in-Residence’ programme for the year 2023-2024. This zine is one of the outputs from this programme.
Seven local residents were employed by Camden Council to conduct research informed by their own lived experience for the benefit of developing new council policy ideas and initiatives. As part of their residency at the council, the cohort completed a bespoke 12-month training programme with the UCL Citizen Science Academy.
Five of the citizen scientists-in-residence were connected with the development of the council’s new Community Wealth Fund Initiative and the remaining two conducted research to help inform the Tenant Engagement Programme. Through practical training and supported fieldwork using qualitative research methods, the work done by the citizen scientists-in-residence is part of a wider goal to promote citizen-led policy making and connect residents with local government.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project would not have been possible without the fantastic help given by Joseph Cook, our amazing UCL tutor, and the colleagues at Camden Council who have all provided such support, advice and knowledge during the course.
I would also like to thank my family who dealt with me being a pain through summer 2024 trying to get this work done. My Dad, Adam, created the posters for the showcase, my Aunt Jane helped me transcribe my interviews.
With the added support of my partner, Matthew, my Mum Bernadette, Aunt Charmaine, cousins and parent in-laws Sue and Jim, I was fortunate enough to have childcare for Georgie, my son, which enabled me to focus on my work.
I lastly want to say a big thank you to the residents and businesses in the borough of Camden who took time to share their experiences and stories, without which this zine would not have been possible.
The UCL Citizen Science Academy would also like to thank all those at Camden Council that provided support for this project, including those in the Participation and Community Wealth Fund teams. Additionally, we are grateful for the input from a variety of local organisations who have hosted us throughout the year, including Luminary Bakery, Google, Training Link and Somers Town Community Association. CONTACT
“The foundation of every state is the education of its youth” -Diogenes
