Our annual report for 2007/2008.

1. the programme
MONDAYS
FOOTBALL Under 13s 5.00 –6.30pm
INTERS School years 8, 9 and 10 7.00 – 9.00pm
TUESDAYS
JUNIORS School years 4, 5, 6 and 7 6.00 – 8.00pm
WEDNESDAYS
GIRLS @ KNIGHTS School years 6 - 11 6.00 –8.00pm
INTERS (OFF SITE) School years 8, 9 and 10 7.00-9.00pm
THURSDAYS
FOOTBALL Under 13s 5.00 – 6.30pm
SENIORS School year 11 - under 20s 7.30-10.30
FRIDAYS
JUNIORS School years 4, 5, 6 and 7 6.00-8.00pm
annualreport2008

2. a note from the chairman
Dear friend
Welcome to our 2007/08 annual report. This has been a good year
for the Knights Youth Centre in which we have performed well
whilst also addressing some difficult challenges.
This report tells the story of the continuing strength of our
apprenticeship scheme (now entering its fourth year) and the
centre’s growing reputation with Lambeth Council and other
partners – all of which springs from our ability to deliver a really
effective service in an extremely challenging area of south London.
Seeing our older young people and apprentices grow in confidence about their futures
and ability to contribute is an inspiration to us all.
This report tells another story too. As I am sure you are aware from both national and
local media, street violence and young people’s disengagement with society is becoming
a real concern. Knights came face to face with this issue when a group of over twenty-
five young people decided to camp outside the centre every night, for weeks on end,
intimidating our parents, workers and young people. It felt at times as if we were under
attack and that this group was determined to see us close down.
To call this period a challenge would be understatement. However, with the hard work of
the senior team and fantastic energy of our Senior Youth Worker, we have seen this
group turned around and become fully involved in our senior sections. This is real
testament to the value of the work we are doing and our capacity to engage with some
of the most challenging young people in our community.
On consideration, this report is actually a series of ‘stories’ – some from us, others from
members, trainees and partners. I hope as you read through each of them you feel that
the Knight’s Youth Centre is an organisation you want to continue supporting and feel
proud of. Thank you for your continued support.
Chris Saunders
Chairman
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3. early knights
the members
It’s certainly been a busy year for the Early
Knights members. A partnership forged with
Richard Atkins Primary School saw us picking up
the children from the after school club at 5pm
and bringing them over to Knights - a real help in
boosting the number of regular members to
roughly fifteen per week. With the extra
numbers we were able to expand our
programme and offer a wider variety of
activities to our young people.
You will read later in this report that Early Knights will
fromthehorse’smouth be coming to an end this summer. In preparation, we
have spent some time consulting our young people on
“I enjoyed it. I had fun this change to help work out how we can best
on the computers and accommodate each of them in the future. There was a
eye-toy.” mixed response: as expected, most expressed sadness
Shaidon, 7yrs as there are no other youth clubs in the local area for
6-8 year olds, while some others did not feel as
“Early Knights is great! I
get to use the PC and I affected as they were eagerly looking forward to
am not allowed at making the transition from Early Knights to Juniors.
home. We get to make
food.” the staff
Kyra, 7yrs The current Early Knights team is made up of four
TYLAP Trainees, one TYLAP Apprentice and the TYLAP
“I like playing Assistant Coordinator. With such a big and ‘fresh’ team
computer and we have been able to come up with some new and
colouring things. I like
innovative ideas. Relationships have continuously
the name ‘Knights’
because when you grown stronger and a friendly and supportive working
leave its night time.” environment has evolved.
Joshua, 7 ½yrs
the future
“The children look Early Knights will go out with a bang. We are planning
forward to Wednesday to run a one week combined summer project with the
nights. I got good Juniors section involving various on and offsite
feedback from activities, including visits to London Zoo and the
swimming.”
London Aquarium. We also aim to run a cake sale and
Sandra RAP’s worker
possibly a sponsored walk or sports day – look out for
us being in touch for donations!
annualreport2008

4. juniors
the team
The new first and second year TYLAP trainees were again the mainstay of our Juniors
team, enthusiastically taking on the new responsibilities and challenges of providing the
quality youth work that we are striving for. Their contribution has been fantastic.
the highlights
The very highest of highlights from the last year was the
performance of the members’ dance group, which really
was testament to what young people can achieve when
they dedicate themselves to something in the right
environment. Practicing every Tuesday evening
throughout the winter, it was amazing to see the group
gradually become more inspired each week as they gave
their all to create something special together.
Their efforts culminated in a presentation evening on the final club night before
Christmas. We invited an audience to come along to see how the commitment and effort
of these members had resulted in two show-stopping performances.
Dancing on the stage in front of at least fifty people in total (including about fifteen
parents) was a new and daunting experience for the group, but also hugely rewarding.
Thanks go to Denis for his enduring dedication in spurring the group through practice
sessions on cold, dark nights and the performance itself.
Such was the success and ‘fame’ of the group, it looks
like other members will take inspiration from the
performances and will want to try and match their
achievements as a part of future dance teams.
Another (if not so glamorous) highlight was our cake
sale. Over ten parents and friends turned up during the
course of the evening to support us, which gave us the
rare opportunity to talk with them in-depth about the club – its past, present and future
– and what we are looking to achieve with Juniors. It was also an encouraging evening
financially as we raised £115, including donations from absent friends. Thanks again go
to Pat & Audrey who helped us out by providing other snacks and drinks.
the future
A five day joint summer project with the Early Knights is planned and we also look
forward to a potential trip to Wey Island and hopefully a week’s venture to Carroty
Wood in Kent during September.
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5. annualreport2008

6. inters
It’s been a challenging year for Inters in which a significant rise in negative and anti-social
behaviour by some of the older young people at the centre in the summer of 2007
seriously affected our ability to attract members to join us on Wednesdays. At the time,
it proved to be a gauntlet which many current and prospective members were not
prepared to run - and understandably so.
The team worked hard to preserve an environment that was attractive to young people
and provide reassurance to parents and carers and, in part, the events of that summer
played a role in our decision to restructure our service delivery.
It is no secret that young people in the transition between primary and secondary school
can sometimes fall away from a youth centre. The restructure will seek to address this
point by extending Juniors to include Year 7 (first year of secondary school), to provide
stability and familiarity through this time of change in a young person’s life. Inters will
now be available for young people in school years 8 to 10.
Enough of the theory. Here’s what’s been going on…
Despite the shortage in numbers, there were nevertheless a number of memorable
highlights throughout the year. These included the old favourites such as climbing Box
Hill, a week in Georgeham, swimming, using the computers, football and pool.
These activities were complimented by some
relatively new and - dare we say it - urban myth
status activities. One such activity was PAL. No,
not the dog food, but Photo A Landmark. PAL
consisted of a team of members finding twenty
listed landmarks around the City and West End of
London. Once they had identified the landmarks,
members were divided into teams and driven to
each by either Rob or Stu. With a deadline of
10pm, the teams had to take a photo of
themselves at each landmark before making their
way back to the centre. This generated a surprising amount of interest and
competitiveness and, to this day, there is still debate on who won! (“For the record, my
team did. Not that it was a competition in the first place, of course” - Stu)
The team’s hard work and creativity has paid dividends and we are pleased to say that
young people have been returning to Inters. With the restructure and ongoing
commitment from the team, we are confident that this upward trend will continue.
annualreport2008

7. seniors
A mixed year for Seniors has, to an extent, mirrored the Knights experience as a whole,
in that our successes have presented challenges and our challenges have brought
successes.
In contrast with Inters, Seniors has seen a massive surge in the numbers of members
attending. Whilst it’s always positive to see more young people show an interest in
joining, this development brought its own very specific challenges.
Since last year’s report, Knights has engaged with
a large group of up to fifty young people twice a
week - Seniors and Workshop Nite. Unfortunately,
a number of this group brought with them range
of issues that proved a very real threat to the day-
to-day activities at the centre. We are happy to
say that, having attended the club for a few
months, a growing number of those young people
are becoming positive peer role models. Seeing
some fruit come from their labours has been a
massive boost for the team and much deserved
reward for their efforts.
One of the by-products of the problems Seniors has faced over the past twelve months
has been the prospect of some of the existing members being indirectly squeezed out.
The team had to work hard to maintain relationships with these young people, and the
creation of the Boyz Ting programme supported this effort (see later in the report).
Another success was taking 25 young people – the majority of which hadn’t been before
– to meet the challenge of Box Hill. As usual, it was a dark, cold and slightly wet night and
most of the young people had little or no comprehension of what they were about to do.
We can’t print the phrases uttered by some of the members when they were confronted
fromthehorse’smouth with the stark realisation of the climb! Sometime later
all the young people, including a few who had been
wearing highly unsuitable slip-on shoes, made it to the
“We all made it to the
top the hard way, bringing with them a great sense of
top, taking with us a
great sense of pride
pride and personal achievement.
and personal
achievement” Seniors is alive, kicking and generating a positive vibe at
Stu Thomson the moment. The team and most of the members want
to keep it that way.
annualreport2008

8. stu’s view
Each year I come to write these articles for the Annual Report; each year it’s a great
opportunity to pause and reflect on what’s been and gone - and what is to come.
As will be highlighted elsewhere in this report, we have had to face some tough,
challenging and sometimes dangerous situations at Knights over the last twelve months.
There have been moments when, quite understandably, staff morale has been lower
than I can remember in my eight years of service. It hurts both personally and
professionally when members of the Knights family are put at risk, assaulted or
intimidated by young people we are trying to help. There were times last year when the
valley was dark and it was hard to see the mountain tops, let alone get there.
But…we are extremely fortunate to have a team of committed and passionate people
who journeyed through the valley and who are now climbing the mountain. Knights is
strong. It has had to be.
The media seems preoccupied with the negative image of young people, especially in
South London. We live and work to make a positive difference to young people and,
without places such as Knights - run by people who seek to demonstrate love, grace and
forgiveness - there is little hope.
Don’t despair. Within the chaos, stress and seemingly ever-present reality of aggression
and violence, the good guys are winning some of the battles. Many of the articles in this
report are testament to that.
There is a huge amount of potential in the current vision of the Knights team. This is
being mirrored by some key young people taking on additional and informal positive
roles. All of this provides great inspiration as we take on the challenge of restructuring
our delivery for the first time in more than a decade
and focus on strengthening the service rather than
creating new projects.
It has been another eventful year and as always
there are many key folks to publicly thank. Thanks
to Ros, Ella and Megan (my girls), Michelle and the
TYLAP posse, Rob, Dave, Rev. Dr Bob Mayo (who
gets me thinking on another level), Jenea (for
sticking it out) and Alan (for the curries).
Grace and peace.
Stu Thompson, Senior Youth Worker
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9. empowering young people
Angus Johnson, Chief Executive of the Clapham Park
Project, discusses how he sees Knights and the role of
TYLAP in the local community.
Clapham Park Project (CPP) supports and part-funds
the Trainee Youth Leader Apprenticeship Programme
(TYLAP) at the Knights Youth Centre.
CPP is keen to work on this partnership with Knights
Youth Centre because we feel that the TYLAP
scheme is a good practice model of community based
learning. This alternative approach to learning is
particularly applicable to those young people deemed
'hard to reach', who may not attend more formal
institutions such as their local colleges.
TYLAP provides a good combination of theoretical and practical learning and equips
residents with the key skills to become future youth workers. CPP supports TYLAP
students through one-to-one tuition sessions and we feel that TYLAP provides real
opportunity for young people in the Clapham Park area. Similarly, we are also convinced
that the TYLAP-trained youth workers provide a real benefit to all Clapham Park
residents.
We have enjoyed providing work experience for many of the young people on the
scheme, offering them the opportunity to gain the practical skills needed in their chosen
career. The ethos of our youth programme is all about empowering young people and
the TYLAP programme reflects this approach. With all the negative stories we read about
young people in Lambeth it’s refreshing to support a scheme which shows young
residents in a positive light.
We would like to continue working with Knights Youth Centre on this fantastic scheme in
the future because we feel that Knights is providing an excellent service for many of the
young people living in Clapham Park.
Angus Johnson
Chief Executive
Clapham Park Project
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10. annualreport2008

11. what’s in a name?
On average we are exposed to over a thousand ‘brands’ each day. These brands could be
fashion labels, football clubs, banks, computer game makers...the list is almost endless.
We might see an advert for their products on the television, drive past one of their
buildings, receive a letter from them in the post or get handed a leaflet in the street.
Of those thousand however, how many do we actually remember? Most of us will only
remember a very small fraction. Recent research has shown that, of those thousand, we
only discuss about twelve with our friends and family a day. Only one per cent of
organisations that we come into contact with actually manage to have enough impact on
our lives to make them memorable.
To stick in the memory, these organisations say something whenever we come into
contact with them that somehow conveys what they do and stand for in a way that
resonates with us. Distilling a whole organisation – its products, people and philosophy –
into something attractive and bite size for people to see and warm to day-in day-out is
something that takes a lot of thought and effort. Getting it wrong or right can create
reputations, or destroy them.
There’s no reason Knights shouldn’t think in a
We decided Knights offers: similar way about what it stands for and how it
trust – a home – equality – variety – communicates those values. With every poster
commitment – passion – a chance – we pin to a board, every greeting of a parent
exercise – support – alternatives – picking up a member and every fund-raising
community – team building – event we hold, we are subtly passing messages
diversity – respect – space – variety to the outside world about who we are and
- reliability – care – opportunity – what we are offering young people.
confidentiality – challenge – stretch
– communication – build – In light of all this, we held a session with
optimism – a family – youth – faith Knights management and all the TYLAP
trainees at Woodrow in November last year to
have a collective think about how we define what Knights is, what it does and for whom
in 2007. We also had a think about what a Knights ‘mission statement’ might look like –
and how we might put it into action in our daily work. For an organisation that is over
seventy years old and with such a breadth of ideas and perspectives in one room, this
wasn’t as easy as it sounds.
Everyone soon got stuck into the task, seeming to relish the opportunity to take a step
back from their individual responsibilities and think more widely about the role Knights
plays in the lives of young people.
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12. It was fantastic to witness in one room the passion and drive that so many young people
have for Knights and youth work more generally – a palpable commitment to making a
difference. Trainees and senior management together initially brainstormed their
perspectives on Knights’ core offering, with themes like equality, opportunity and
providing a challenge regularly coming up in discussion. The group then went on to think
about the young people that attend Knights: who they are, where they have come from
and what they are looking for in a youth centre. We also brainstormed ‘the typical
knights leader’ – including drawing pictures. We decided not to include these images in
the report...
By the end of a session in which a huge array of ideas had been bounced off the red walls
of the meeting room, we were in a position to try bringing it all together. We divided into
groups to come up with brief Knights ‘mission statements’ or slogans. Some are listed
below to give you an idea. Be warned – some are more cheesy than others!
“Your utopia – we offer a range of indoor and outdoor activity full of enthusiasm
and enjoyment”
“Providing voluntary services that make a difference to young people for seventy
years, and still going strong”
“Your club – a safe haven where you can relax, be challenged and supported”
“Our passion is yours – if you want it to be”
“Knights offers great opportunities to have fun, meet people and jam (relax)”
“Together we are stronger”
“Learning from each other – each one teach one”
We aren’t planning a new advertising campaign – it isn’t about that. But it did serve as a
valuable reminder for trainees, leaders and management alike that what Knights stands
for can shine through in even the smallest things that we do. Most encouragingly for us
all, it was a vibrant session brimming with ideas, perspectives and enthusiasm in which
the drive and vision of the current trainees at Knights was clear to see.
annualreport2008

13. partnerships
As always in the voluntary sector the need to develop strong, effective and productive
partnerships is crucial to the sustainability and development of the service we deliver.
Below are some of our partners whose support has made a monumental difference to
Knights this year.
• High profile BBC Children in Need continues to support Knights
through part-funding Stu Thomson’s salary.
• The Clapham Park Project’s ongoing support of TYLAP and other
local initiatives is priceless.
• Coutts Bank is a new partner who has been generous enough to
support this year’s Georgeham holiday.
• The Jack Petchey Foundation continues to support Knights through
the Achievement Awards which promotes young people’s
achievement. The Foundation is providing valuable funds to TYLAP.
• The Lambeth Children’s and Young People’s Service is a long-
standing partner. It has just awarded Knights £80,000 to develop the
Seniors and Girls work for the next three years. Knights will also be
applying to secure further funding from LCYPS for its work with 8 –
13 year olds and targeted work with 14 – 19 year olds this year.
• London Action Trust have been empowering and enabling a large
number of the team to be trained in Peer Mentoring.
• London Active Communities have been working with Knights to
deliver the Boyz Ting programme.
• Proving Ground Safety Solutions provided - and continue to provide
- Knights staff with very specific and relevant training in managing
conflict and aggressive, violent behaviour.
• The flexibility of the Safer Neighbourhood Team in their support of
our work with some of the more difficult young people has been
invaluable over the last twelve months.
• The Tudor Trust has seen TYLAP’s potential and its support has
enabled Knights to sustain the service.
• The Walcot Foundation (Lambeth Endowed Charities) continues to
support TYLAP, but it is also working in partnership with Knights to
implement a Lambeth-wide apprenticeship scheme aimed at young
people not in education, employment or training or who have left
care.
annualreport2008

14. Thanks once again to you all for your invaluable support.
girls @ Knights
activities
Each Friday at precisely half past seven we have opened the doors to an average of ten
girls for Girls Night. We have run a varied programme, taking in everthing from quizzes to
pool, and even indulged ourselves with pizza and chinese food.
One standout activity however was when we took the girls down to the Threshold Centre
for a session on ‘Identity’. This was a real success as it offered each of them something as
individuals but also allowed them to participate in activities with other young people
from the local area.
staff
Sadly, last term we lost Jenea, one of the key members
of the team, due to other commitments. Karis and
Athena however have coped very well in keeping the
session going with the assistance of one of TYLAP’s fromthehorse’smouth
“I like girls’ night
Trainees. The staff continue to maintain great because we get to have
professional relationships and are putting their heads fun without the boys!”
together to come up with new ideas for evening Keisha, 11yrs
sessions and streams of funding that could be
investigated. “We get to play pool.
At Junior’s the boys
always interrupt!”
forthcoming Events Melanie, 13 yrs
We hope to run more off site trips over the summer,
and are seeking funding for a weekend trip to Center
annualreport2008

15. Parcs. Fingers crossed! We would also like to give our girls the opportunity to see the
theatre production of ‘Into the Hoods’ and will be looking into the potential for getting
some discounted tickets.
annualreport2008

16. cash matters
As with previous years we have split our report on finances into two sections. The first
deals with the finances of the main centre, the second with TYLAP. The actual accounts
for the year ending the 31st March 2008 have been passed to the auditor for checking as
always. Once audited, copies will be provided on request.
Last year we advised that the expenditure for the centre had exceeded income by
around £6,000. This year our income has exceeded expenditure by just over £9,000. A
significant proportion of this positive variance relates to monies being received which
had been owed from the previous year and / or grants coming in that have not been fully
spent yet.
However, our 'coffers' have swollen over the past year by a couple of thousand which
has allowed us to transfer £2,500 into our minibus fund account. This was set up a few
years ago to help us purchase a new van towards the end of the current decade - more
on this next year.
As always we are blessed with support from all our partners and friends. Special thanks
go to BBC Children in Need, Clapham Park Project (CPP), Lambeth Children’s and Young
People’s Service, The Elizabeth & Prince Zaiger Trust and Jack Petchey.
Moving onto TYLAP, for which our income and expenditure is easier to predict than the
main centre’s. During the last year our expenditure of £111,663 came in 1.5% under
budget, whilst our income was 3% under budget.
Due to the tremendous support provided by CPP, Jack Petchey, Garfields, the Walcot
Foundation and Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund we have been able to provide
an excellent programme in 2007/8 and our funding for the next 12 months is also secure.
However, we currently only have 50% of the funds needed for the 2009/10 period and
therefore further work and prayer will be required.
Special thanks should also be made to Fredrik Brorson (Michelle Marquis' husband) who
ran the Stockholm marathon last year to raise funds for TYLAP.
With regard to our budgets for 2008/9 we are pleased to report that we expect to have
sufficient funds to finance our activities for the next 12 months. Overall our total
expenditure is now just under £240,000 – itself an indication of the extent of the service
we deliver and support we need and receive.
Once again, thank you all for your continuing support.
annualreport2008

17. raisin’ Rwanda one year on
Rose Gakwandi, Coordinator of the Mwana Ukundwa Association, looks back at Knights’
trip to Rwanda last year and gives us an update on recent events.
A team of young people and two youth workers visited the Mwana Ukundwa Association
last year. The staff and beneficiaries enjoyed their stay and we still talk about it! We are
so grateful to the support the team provided to AMU, and so impressed by the way they
raised the money. May God bless them for each
step they make for the benefit of needy children
in Rwanda.
So much was accomplished when the team was
here. I would love to start by talking about the
relationship and sharing love with not only the
staff but also the beneficiaries (Rwandan
children). This very crucial especially in an
association that works with poor and HIV infected
children with low self-esteem, who feel abandoned and discriminated. Through the
interaction, the Rwandan youth learnt a lot about the team’s experiences and the
culture. I hope the team also learnt some of our culture.
Apart from that culture experience, the team helped us a lot in our morning devotion, by
sharing, singing and giving testimony. This was very powerful in terms of the youth and
staff. As a Christian organisation we do believe that the foundation of everything is the
word of God. When people come to know Jesus Christ, He can also meet their needs, put
their lives in order, hence protect them against HIV, he can heal all illness. In addition to
this we learnt from the team the good methods of sharing the word of God with children
and youth in a more attractive and creative way.
Sport is one of activities that our children and youth enjoy. Children and youth in primary
schools and vocational training were so excited to play with the team. They played
different games: volleyball, basketball, football and others. This is also a social activity
which means a lot to Rwandans. AMU encourages sport activities amongst children and
youth because we believe is very important not only for physical growth, but also for
building peace and reconciliation in a post-genocide period and also for psychological
benefit.
We highly appreciated the sport equipment brought by the team. We do have the teams
of volleyball, football and basketball in AMU and in the school we support. Our team did
not have uniform and they would play with their casual clothes, one team would have
the top (t-shirt) as to differentiate themselves with the other team. With the uniform we
annualreport2008

18. were given by the team we no longer needed to do this. We even lent the uniform to the
school where they are invited to take place in completion.
This year in June our football team were invited to participate in the Eastern Cup
tournament and they used the uniform. We can’t miss also to mention that the cameras
Knights brought help us in taking the pictures to be used for fundraising and reporting
our activities.
The AMU football team prepare to participate in the Eastern Cup
I would love also to appreciate the visit they paid to two child-headed households and do
some building there. This was very touching to the family members and the community
around them. We hope that many teams will be sent to Rwanda and continue in this
sense.
use of money
As I mentioned, AMU was impressed by the fundraising carried out by the team before
they visited AMU. No words can thank people who walked miles and miles to support
needy children in Rwanda. 6,261.34$ was paid into AMU account from Knights Youth
Centre. The amount was used as followed:
• 50 high school students received schools fee and school materials:
5,000$
• 100 infected children were fed every Saturday for 5 months:
1,000$
• The remaining was used for administration: 261.34$
Total 6,261.34$
annualreport2008

19. AMU is so grateful to the Knights Youth Centre for the above support, and all the
activities they accomplished during their staying. We are looking forward to further
partnership.
May the Lord bless the work you are doing.
off da road: developing positive youth
An increasing number of young people think life ‘on da road’ is the way ahead. For many,
this choice ends up with a prison sentence or becoming a victim, sometimes resulting in
the tragic loss of life. Almost 40 young people have been killed by other young people in
the last 15 months, many in South London. The media reports about young people and
increasing gun and knife culture plaguing our streets might convince some that there is
no hope.
It is our job to redress the balance by being proactive and positive, nurturing the
potential of young people. We are therefore developing a range of programmes which
we hope will together provide a positive, relevant, accessible and credible alternative to
life ‘on da road’.
• TYLAP is demonstrating that young people – whatever their
background - can become a positive influence within their
community.
• Boyz Ting is a new project which works with young men aged 13 –
16 focusing on behaviour management, communication skills and
self confidence through a ten
week programme. The Boyz
Ting project has made a positive
start and has been delivered in
partnership with London Active
Communities. The programme
includes group work, team
building, residentials and trips.
The plan is to extend the Boyz
Ting project to run throughout
the year and to include 16 – 19 year olds.
• Our Senior Outreach Project will seek to develop and challenge
young people’s lifestyles through empowering individuals (and
groups) to take ownership and responsibility for the decisions they
make and promoting community and citizenship. The project will
also encourage leadership and volunteering opportunities. It is our
plan to launch the Senior Outreach Project in September, but this is
subject to securing funding.
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20. • Girls@Knights has been delivering a programme for three years
now. We have applied for funding to recruit a part time qualified
Young Women’s Development Worker. This post would
revolutionise the programme but also provide professional support
to the other Knights programmes.
STOP THE PRESS – We have just received verbal confirmation that Knights has been
awarded £80,000 from Lambeth Children’s and Young People’s Service for the next three
years to deliver the Senior Outreach Project and to develop the Girls @ Knights
programme.
annualreport2008

21. four years on, and TYLAP is still growing
TYLAP is now half way through its fourth year, and is moving on in leaps and bounds. We
currently have a part-time co-ordinator, a part-time assistant co-ordinator, four
apprentices, a student youth worker, sixteen trainees and one detached supervisor.
This growth has helped us become more ambitious and stretch further into the
community. Over the past year for example we have strengthened our relationships with
local organisations and currently have three apprentices working for a few hours a week
in two local schools. They take on a wide range of responsibilities varying from helping
out at after-school clubs to running dance projects.
Nevertheless, one of the ongoing challenges for TYLAP is securing funding for both our
short and long term plans. This is something everyone involved has responsibility for and
we are constantly applying for appropriate new sources of funding. There is still a long
way to go to secure financial stability for the next few years.
Now that TYLAP is maturing, we are looking for new ways of raising public awareness of
what it is and does. We have, for example, developed a new promotional DVD which was
‘premiered’ at our recent recruitment and launch day. This will help us to promote our
project during this year’s recruitment drive will hopefully also be a useful resource when
communicating with our funders and other working partnerships – such as the Clapham
Park Project and Clapham Youth Centre.
Because of TYLAP’s ongoing expansion, last year it was decided that we needed our own
premises. This year we moved into the wing of Knights (it is perhaps ironic that it used to
be known as the skills wing) and now have space for offices, a training room and a staff
area. TYLAP is now clearly visible as an organisation linked to, but separate from, Knights.
Upon entering TYLAP you are welcomed into a staff area with comfortable seating and
drink-making facilities. We also have office space for seven workstations - so all the
TYLAP staff can work hard, no excuses!
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22. One of the main benefits of moving premises is that we now have access to a training
room, with a projector and pull down screen. This is a great help especially for the
purposes of our Introductory Studies course, which we can now run from ‘inside’ TYLAP,
and also as we prepare slideshows and presentations.
All of the staff at TYLAP would like to thank everyone involved at all levels from grass
roots to management for all the help and support which has been provided over the past
four years. The future looks bright: we are confident that the programme will continue to
flourish and look forward to continuing to work with you all over the coming weeks,
months, and years.
leading in training
One part of the TYLAP programme is devoted to constantly
finding new and exciting placements for our trainees that will
provide them with new experiences that will stretch and enrich
them.
We recently found Sharna Gayle – one of our trainees – one
such placement. Sharna joined a course run by the Prince’s Trust
Team at the Oval Cricket Ground. The Prince’s Trust programme is a challenging twelve-
week personal development course for 16-25 year olds.
fromthehorse’smouth
It’s been a challenging experience for Sharna, but one she has relished and enjoyed.
Sharna herself explains:
“The Prince’s Trust course consists of a work placement, community project and two
residential projects. Having completed this course I gained a City and Guilds Certificate
in Personal skills, Team work and Community work. Overall, the course has helped me
to broaden my horizons and put into perspective what I want to achieve in life. It has
helped me build my confidence and meet new people. I would definitely recommend
this course to all young people.”
Feedback from Sharna’s main supervisor on the course, Hannah Leadbeater, shows the
remarkable breadth of experience such placements are giving TYLAP trainees:
“Sharna was a committed and valued member of the team. Whilst on the
course, she helped repaint a community hall and arrange a day out for guests
of the Robes Project, which helps homeless people. The skills she developed
through such work are invaluable, and her organisational and communication
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23. skills were crucial to the success of the team. She also demonstrated
compassion whilst dealing with other members of the community.
“During the final week of the course, Sharna and the rest of her team gave a
presentation to an invited audience at the Oval. Sharna spoke confidently
and eloquently about her achievements over the three-month programme.
This is a testament to the progress she has made during the course, and to
the bright future she has ahead of her.”
Glowing endorsement. Congratulations to Sharna, who continues at TYLAP volunteering
as part of the team at Clapham Youth Centre.
the TYLAP fresher: Gary Ashbolt
“
Since TYLAP began, one of its many aims is to provide its trainees with the
eventual possibility of securing a place on a degree course at University.
I have the great privilege of being the first TYLAP trainee to make full use of this
opportunity and, with the guidance and support available to me from the TYLAP team, I
was able to successfully apply for and get a place at University. I am now in my second
year of a BA Honours Degree in Education, Culture and Society at Goldsmiths, University
of London.
The great news is that since I enrolled at Goldsmiths, TYLAP has helped five more young
people to start degree courses. We’ve got students spread across the country from
London to Manchester! There are also four apprentices who are currently going through
the process of applying for degrees, all related to youth work. They have already
received offers from three great universities - Goldsmiths, Roehampton and Kingston.
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24. It’s great that those of us who are already on degree courses can support those at the
beginning of the journey whether that be helping fill out application forms or giving
advice for a first day on campus.
”
We hope that, as TYLAP goes from strength to strength over the next few years,
even more young people will choose university. Whatever they choose, we look
forward to supporting them both in their degrees and careers in youth work.
Gary Ashbolt
annualreport2008

25. another launch night to remember
Another year, another successful TYLAP launch night. On Friday 25th April 2008,
prospective new recruits for next year’s programme attended in numbers to speak with
staff, current and previous trainees – and fill out application forms.
Michelle Marquis, an ex-member of the club and currently the TYLAP Co-ordinator, is
already looking forward to next year’s programme.
“I am so pleased with the amount of young people that turned up at the
launch to find out more, and those who completed application forms on the
night. As always, I am so proud of everyone on the TYLAP team both past
and present – everyone did a fantastic job.
“As with many – if not all – of Knights’ successes, it could not have been
achieved without the support of TYLAP’s partners”, Michelle continues. “I
am very appreciative of the support and interest that Keith Hill MP, Angus
Johnson (Chief Executive of Clapham Park Project), Donna Henry (Chair of
“The TYLAP programme has helped me to come a long, long way. Before TYLAP I would
never finish anything. I was totally lacking focus and motivation. I now feel like I have
fromthehorse’smouth
the support and encouragement from my peers to do something more productive in
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my life.”
Natalie Morson, is an Apprentice Youth Worker, 19 yrs

26. CPP), Sue Bowman (Vice Chair of CPP), Junior Shabazz (Lambeth Council), Gill
Keanily (Positive Activities for Young People, and Keith Snape (Clapham and
Stockwell Town Centre Manager) gave us for the launch.”
We look forward to welcoming next year’s TYLAP recruits in September.
annualreport2008

27. looking forward to 2009
Writing an article about the future is always an interesting task – not least because best
laid plans can often be suddenly pushed aside by an unexpected development. As I am
writing this, the journey of the Olympic torch is being hijacked by those who want to
register complaints about the host’s human rights record. Was this anticipated even 12
months ago when the routes were being planned?
With the challenges we have experienced over the last 24 months concerning financial
security and a large gang actively working to intimidate us into closing, it has sometimes
felt that our own plans were being knocked off course.
It is perhaps just as well that the Youth Centre develops its future vision and aspirations
over a 3-year period as, in an ever-changing world (particularly for young people in the
inner city), it is sometimes difficult to be precise.
Our current 3-year plan comes to an end in March 2009 and we will be taking the
opportunity in November to involve all our workers, management and apprentices
(young people) in helping to shape our aspirations and service developments up until
March 2012 (that Olympic Games theme again!).
Our main opportunities and challenges for 2008/09 are as follows:
• Work with Lambeth to transfer our funding arrangements for Girls
@ Knights and our 8-13 provision into a three-year contract
arrangement with a clear specification and performance framework.
• Deliver a new apprenticeship programme for Young People leaving
Lambeth’s care system (three-year contract from April 2008) with
funding from the Walcot Foundation.
• Review and modify our current age groupings in light of changing
needs for young people in the community. We hope to align
ourselves more closely with Lambeth departments and government
programmes whilst opening more frequently for young people aged
9-21. Although this will involve us no longer running Early Knights
(6-9 year olds), which opened in 1990, the extended schools and
children’s centre programme delivered over the last ten years by
government has now overtaken us to the point where our resources
could be used more effectively with older age groups.
These are both exciting and challenging times. It is clear that the government are taking
the issue of disengaged youth most seriously and will be looking to Youth Service
Providers to play a key role in reaching the most vulnerable groups over the next three
years and beyond. We look forward to it.
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28. Chris Saunders, Chairman
annualreport2008

29. friends of Knights
Allen, Trevor & Pauline Davie, Lynn
Allman, Derek Davis, Mrs. C
Allman, Richard Day, Pauline & Peter
Apthorpe, Bob & Penny Defoe, Ingrid
Attfield, Dennis Dell, Martin & Chrissie
Avis, Geoff & Barbara Devine, lan
Baker, E.O Devine, Lawrie, Sarah & Sandra
Baker, Eric Douglas, Annette
Baker, Mr. & Mrs. R M Douglas, Audrey
Ball, Mrs Mary Downe, Terry
Barry, Kevin Drury, Maureen & Jim
Batty, Geoff & Pam Duffin, Hazel
Batty, Jane Duffin, Maryse
Beken, Jenny Duffin, Sue & Roger
Belcher, Colin & Henrietta Duncan, Tim
Billinghay, John & Margaret Dunkley, Dot
Boote, Gordon Eaton, Mr. L. E.
Boote, Jean Evans, Russ & Angela
Bosley, Steve Fairfield, Ena
Bradford, Fred & Daphne Faulkner, Margaret
Bradshaw, David & family Feltham, Dave
Braham, Brian & Linda Fuller, Mick & Sue
Bramcote, Mrs George, John
Brannan, Brian & Marie Gibbons, Liz
Brown, Nigel & Margaret Gibbons, Tross & Barbara
Browne, Tara Giles, George and Audrey
Bruce, Don Giles, Howard & Julia
Burke, John Giles, Jenny & Chris
Bunting-Ghafoor, Yvonne Glassborow, Rachel & Martin
Burne, Joan & Nick Glyde, Alan
Burtenshaw, Terry Grant, Millie
Bushell, Mickey & Jean Gray, Don & Brenda
Caplan, Harris Green, Joyce
Chudleigh, Paul & Jenny Grimble, Geraldine & Charlie
Clark, Dave & Marylyn Gumm, Ruth & Ivor
Clisby, David Guile, Joan
Coleson, Mr Haberdashers Company
Corfield, Joan Hall, Steve & Christine
Corns, Cathy Hamer, Brian & Daphne
Cox, Jane & Martin Hamerton, Paul & Lesley
Cross, Jackie & Malcolm Harding, Jean
Crowson, Dr. A. Harrison, Mike
Culshaw, Robert & Elaine Hawthorne, Catherine
Daly, Robert Henley, Paul & Lynne
Dauncey, Terri Henry, Michael & Clare
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30. friends of Knights
Heyda, Tod Newitt, Ann
Hill, Keith M.P. Newman, John
Holland, Mr. & Mrs. Newton, Jane & Ed
Hope, Susan & Malcolm Nichols, Terese & Mark
Horton, Mrs, Margaret Norris, Richard & Judith
Hudson, Mabel , Nowles, Tony & Sylvia
Huckle, Barbara O'Hagan, John & Sheila
Jackson, Bob & Sara Oliver, John & Kim
Jarlett, Bruce & Mary Palfrey, Liz
Johnson, Rev Mike Padgham, Janet & Robin
Joel-Esam, Barbara & Peter Pain, Brenda & Bill
Jordan, Clint & Family Parkinson, Jean & Michael
Kendall, Malcolm & Jeannie Parry, Peter
Kennard, Margaret Parsons, Tim
Kennard, Ray & Kesorn Patel, Christine & Ash
King, Dave & Elizabeth Pemberton, Chris
King, Leslie & Sheila Phillips, Mrs. L M.
King, Malcolm & Audrey Pilcher, Dave & Barbara
King, Richard & Avril Pinder, John & Rita
Knight, Margaret Poole, Sally
Knowledon, Philippa Plant, Robert
Kuti, Tim & Helen Ritter, Richard & Jackie
Lee, Mr & Mrs Frank Robinson, Tom & Helena
Lock, Dave & Angela Robson, Quinton & Cathy
Lockyer, Kathleen Rooks, Lorraine & Barry
Long, Leslie & Brenda Ross, Dr. Christopher
Long, Martin & Jane Rymer, Gwen
Longman, Brian & Sheila Saunders, Chris & Julie
Lynn, Cliff & Pauline Saunders, Russell
Mallett, Dick & Jane Saunders, John & Alison
Manning, Jannine & John Saunders, Neil & Breda
Mannion, Mike & Jacqueline Saunders, Ron & Pat
Marquis, David Savage, Roy
Marquis-Brorson, Michelle & Seagroatt, Joan
Marshall, Rev. John & Maggie Sillince, Kevin &Amanda
McDonell, Sarah Smith, Arnold
McLean, Leigh & Julie Smith, Janice
Memsah, Rev Smith, Martin & Marylyn
Merchant, Sheila Smith, Ray & Andree
Middleton, Daphne Smith, Roger & Diane
Ming, Lyn Smith, Vi
Moran, Terry & Sabah Snelling, Henry & Pam
Morrison, Irena Southall, Andy & Theresa
Moughtin, Brian & Peggy Stevens, Peter & Maureen
Murray, Shirley
annualreport2008

31. the knights team
CHAIR MAINTENANCE
Chris Saunders Quentin Robson
VICE CHAIR GARDENER
Millie Grant Cathy Robson
SENIOR YOUTH WORKER TEAM WORKERS
Stu Thomson Omotayo Akindileni
Helen Backway
TYLAP COORDINATOR Tosin Balogun
Michelle Marquis Shervean Barry
Simon Blackley
TREASURER Ann Brown
John Saunders Melanie Bryan
Paul Burt
ADMINISTRATOR Jennifer Cadette
Alison Saunders Elisabeth Casson
Keighley Coleman
HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER Dominic Christopher
Anne Walker Dave Doran
Robert English
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Nina Gilbert
Brenda Pain Louis James Hamilton
Sarah Hughes
PREMISES MANAGER Shaloni Jaldo
Ron Saunders Kyle Jemmett
Dennis Kaate
SECTION LEADERS Stella Kityo
Don Gray - Juniors Aedenya Knight
Karis Theophane - Eks, Girls @ Knights Sharlie Chelsea Manning
Daniel Morris
PARENTS REPRESENTATIVES Chantel Morson
Errol Bell & Susanne Blatch Natalie Morson
Tracey Oliver
LETTINGS OFFICER Sasha Ramsey
Pat Saunders Claudia Reid
Alan Roberts
Rev. John Marshall Athena Rosan
Nadine Russell-Henry
MAINTENANCE Emmanuel Santiago
Quentin Robson Maggie Shelton
Angela Waife
GARDENER Cherise Wilson
Cathy Robson Moriam Yusuff
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32. annualreport2008