New youth hub in Downham offers employment, skills, wellbeing support for ages 16-30, addressing local job access issues.
Elevate 100 is a unique project at Downham Leisure Centre designed specifically for young people by young people. The hub can be found at Downham Health & Leisure Centre on Moorside Road and is open weekdays, 10 AM to 5 PM.
Elevate 100’s Youth Action Board worked with architects to co-design the space. Youth Build, a local group that trains disadvantaged young people in construction, completed the construction work.
Young people aged 16 to 30 can get support, including help with employment, skills, and wellbeing. The Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, opened it on Monday. Only three percent of Lewisham’s jobs are in Downham, and young people reported difficulty finding support services that would help with personal and professional growth.
Elevate 100 provides various services including personal, professional, and start-up support. It is a partnership between the council, Circle Collective, Phoenix Housing and Lewisham Works. Circle Collective helps unemployed youths, and Lewisham Works is an award-winning employment service.
The program aims to identify barriers that affect marginalized young people. They will then work together to make change.