Introduction
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is one of London’s most deprived boroughs, where 70% of the population are from Black and Ethnic minority communities and unemployment is at its highest in England. Community cohesion and race relations are often poor, drug use and anti-social behaviour persist, and crime levels are more than double the national average.
The median age of Tower Hamlet’s population is 30, which means decisions made in their youth will shape their future. Early employment outcomes remain uneven, with just under 13% of 16–24s nationally Not in Education, Employment or Training, (NEET); and the gender pay gap across all employees measured at 13.1 percent.
Families continue to face financial pressure, with national data showing around one in three children in relative poverty after housing costs; and local figures confirm a high share of children in low‑income households.
Food security remains a live issue, with the cost-of-living-crisis compounding the problem with around one in ten UK households reporting low or very low food security. This is very acute in London and Tower Hamlets.
Social connection is mixed: a consistent seven percent of adults report feeling lonely often or always, yet local resident surveys show strong cohesion across difference when people have reasons to meet.
Vision and Mission
Against this backdrop, Leaders in Community (LiC) come across so many bright individuals from Tower Hamlets who are keen to go on to higher education, build themselves a career and improve their quality of life — but what seems apparent from a simple conversation is their lack of self-belief and their desire for an opportunity to flourish.
As a youth-led charity our vision and mission is to inspire and empower local young people to be active and vocal contributors to the social, economic and cultural development of their lives and that of the community.
The LiC Youth and Engagement Model
Through our youth and community cohesion work at the Teviot Centre in the Teviot Estate, working with young people, residents, youth and corporate partners we have been able to develop a range of services collectively known as the ‘LiC Model’ which comprises of the 4 key campaigns below. This model is practical and youth-led in which we co-design, co-deliver and co-govern programmes with young people and partners to transform people’s lives.
The Community Living Room
Hosting intergenerational ‘education’ and ‘entertainment’ events that bring the community together
Our World Our Wellness
Educating the community about sustainable living and healthy eating
Equitable Futures
Creating equality of access and opportunity to high status careers and underserved sectors for disadvantaged young people
Powered By Women
Providing a safe space for women and girl’s personal and professional development
The Community Living Room
As managers of the Teviot Community centre, we are at the epicentre of the Teviot Estate. This vantage point enables LiC to create a ‘home from home’ experience in bringing our diverse and vibrant community together.
As loneliness and isolation is a national and local issue, the Teviot Centre is a place where we can address some of our local social, economic and health issues. As a youth led charity, young people with the support of the Community Team curate and co‑govern our social calendar with residents and partners. As a space to ‘educate and entertain’ and for people to ‘live, lunch and learn’ are intergenerational services, events and activities offer:
-fun and laughter,
-breakdown of barriers
-countering of stereotypes.
Thus, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to one another. Giving our community, a common reference and meeting point for our shared humanity.
Tower Hamlet Families want affordable, healthy choices that also support the environment, and young growers and climate ambassadors at the Teviot Centre are making that easier every week.
We run a Food Coop and Teviot Fresh Co-operative to improve access to affordable produce, In partnership with the Alexandra Rose Charity and the JustFact Programme, every Tuesday and Thursday LiC runs a food coop. Residents drop into the Teviot Centre and buy organic produce at non-organic prices. We also help families with the cost if they are eligible for Rose Vouchers. Providing fresh, affordable local fruits and vegetables helps to democratise healthy eating and mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
Our community garden encourages local growing and an understanding of the food ecosystem and biodiversity. The garden operates on a seasonal rota with youth leads managing planting plans, compost volumes and yield logs; beekeeping days double as STEM learning on pollination and ecosystems, with honey harvest extraction events that also generate small enterprise income.
Cooking clubs with food coop and garden produce enables residents to co‑design recipe cards that emphasise low‑waste techniques and budgeting skills e.g. cost per portion, and a Heritage Knowledge exchange ensure intergenerational skills and know‑how stays in circulation
Our Be,Green Eco-Action Programme provides a pathway for passionate young Teviot environmentalists to act locally and develop the knowledge and skills for the rapidly growing green economy and sustainability roles.
Our partners sponsor produce and volunteer stipends, fund garden and beekeeping seasons, host green‑skills placements and insight days and help turn local practice into paid work.
With the graduate market contracting, youth unemployment at a high and 12.8% of 16-24 years Not in Education, Employment and Training (NEET) nationally (April-June, 2025) young people need now more than ever the support and skills to aspire, map out and travel the journey into high quality work. In this highly competitive market, disadvantaged young people may not have the social and cultural capital that they need to plan and secure their routes into work placements and the world of work.
That is why we walk alongside schools in preparing young people for their futures during term time and the holidays. Particularly during the long summer holidays. As the ‘summer slide’ could result in an academic and/or ambition set back.
Through LiC’s leadership and employability programmes we develop the ‘soft skills’, application and ‘work ready’ know how so that young people can take full advantage of the opportunities and access to high status and underserved sectors that we provide. We strengthen impact by standardising the full journey: intake and a baseline skills check; a personalised progression plan co‑written with the young person; sector‑specific sprints in digital, creative, health and care, green roles, construction; finance, law and entrepreneurship.
Our corporate partners create challenge briefs that simulate real tasks; shadow days and guaranteed interviews where employers ringfence roles; and practical supports including travel bursaries, workwear micro‑grants and reasonable‑adjustment planning so access isn’t blocked by logistics. After placement, we track and provide mentoring support for young people to help them keep their eyes on the prize.
Women are at the heart of the family, community and the local economy. As managers of the Teviot Centre, we host female only groups, voluntary opportunities and events to increase confidence, connection and currency. As a safe space the centre enables women across the generations to feel protected and empowered to fulfil their potential for personal and professional development.
To help break the intergenerational poverty cycle; and build the foundations for healthy safe personal and familial relationships we run Be.Inspired – LiC’s female only leadership programme designed to empower and support young women as they navigate their way into the world of work. Our Women’s Leadership Programme offers a unique opportunity for young women to gain the skills, experience, and connections necessary to excel in their desired field.
Each component of the programme is tailored to address the specific needs and challenges that young disadvantaged women may face as they navigate their way into the workforce; and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.
Read our Impact Report 2020-2024 to find out more about the work we do here
