Who We Are
About us
At the Heart - Placing young adults at the heart of our communities and the wider society.
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Our Vision & Mission
At the Heart is a charity that aims to support young adults living in London and the Home Counties, predominantly from racialised backgrounds. We aim to provide them with opportunities for self-development - helping them find their place and become valued contributors to society. We champion the development and wellbeing of young people within our communities, supporting them to make positive strides towards their aspirations, achieve their goals and develop key life skills - ultimately helping them to take progressive steps towards a better future.
Our Objectives
To advance in life, relieve needs of and help young adults between the ages of 18 - 30 living in London and its surrounding areas, with a particular focus on young adults from racialised backgrounds, by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals, and in particular by:
a. advancing education through the provision of information, advice and guidance in areas relating to life, employability and social skills, progression into higher education, career development, citizenship, financial literacy and physical and mental health and well-being;
b. relieving unemployment through hosting workshops and mentorship programmes.
Who we reach
The young adults we work with are primarily:
between the ages of 18-30 years old
from racialised
backgrounds
living in London and the Home Counties
Why young adults 18-30?
There are many life skills that public education has failed to teach children as they engaged in formal schooling (primary school, secondary school, sixth form/college). As we hope the education systems works to change this for current students, it is a little bit late for those who have already left school.
Young adults (aged 18 to 30) are less likely to be able to access resources, advice and support on life skills and personal development compared to younger people who are still at school. They are also likely to be in the middle of experiencing major life changes and transitions (starting higher/tertiary education, entering the workforce, changing/establishing careers, becoming parents, getting married, moving out, buying property/climbing the property ladder) they they could still benefit from learning the skills needed to deal with these experiences.
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In the Context of COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic occurred during a critical time for young adults aged 18 to 30 (older Generation Z and younger Millennials). As mentioned above, they are at a stage where they are starting higher/tertiary education, entering the workforce or establishing their careers. Many are also experiencing major life changes during this time. It is important that our beneficiaries are provided with the opportunity to access support and resources and can develop skills that can help them to live through and beyond the pandemic.
Why focus on those from *racialised backgrounds?
Short answer:
They need it more.
Long answer:
According to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (2018), by the time students complete their A Levels, BME students (especially those from black African or Caribbean backgrounds) struggle to attain grades similar to what they had received at GCSE (at least 3 A grades), highlighting disadvantages in accessibility to resources and support, rather than academic ability. Similarly, the same report shows that individuals from racialised backgrounds have consistently been less likely to be a part of apprenticeship programmes when compared to their white counterparts since 2002/2003.
According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (2018), of UK-domiciled students, (compared to their white counterparts) individuals from racialised backgrounds are less likely to attend university for an undergraduate degree, with an even smaller percentage of blacks students attending Russell Group universities. The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (2015-2018) also highlights that rates of unemployment are highest for individuals that identify as Black, followed by other racialised groups. To support these above findings, Government Ethnicity Facts and Figures highlights that BME individuals are behind in various aspects of life such as work, education and housing in comparison to their white counterparts. Resolution Foundation highlights that although there have been substantial rises over the past two decades in the proportion of racialised people with a degree, rising educational attainment has not directly translated into an end to big disparities in employment outcomes: on average, graduates from racialised backgrounds have lower employment rates and when in work are more likely to be in lower paid occupations than their white counterparts.
An article in the Guardian, written by Ami Sedghi also highlights the need for new routes to mobility as being crucial, given the over-exposure of ethnic minorities to deprivation and poverty in Britain.
*Why we've started using the term: 'young adults from racialised backgrounds'?
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We no longer use the term "ethnic minorities", because it refers to our beneficiaries in reference to their white counterparts. We also no longer use the terms BME and BAME, as they push the idea that our beneficiaries are a homogenous group that have the same experiences and needs despite the vast differences between each race, ethnicity and nationality that have been squashed into these terms.
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Referring to our beneficiaries as young adults from racialised backgrounds highlights the systematic ideology of "Whiteness" that upholds systematic racism and forces the disparities that we see our beneficiaries face in education, health, employment, housing etc.
How we offer support
In order to achieve our objects we aim to…
Finance and host skill-development training and workshops focusing on physical well-being, mental well-being and life skills (i.e. networking, financial literacy, stress management, effective communication, problem solving etc.)
Offer free online resources that provide basic knowledge and understanding about physical well-being, mental well-being and life skills (i.e. networking, financial literacy, stress management, effective communication, problem solving etc.)
Run a mentorship scheme through which mentors are able to offer social, academic and career support, helping mentees to work towards their current life goals.
Provide access to real world experiences (speakers, workshops, networking etc.)
Provide practical support to young adults in a way that enables them to feel better able to engage with their education and/or feel better prepared for employment, professional/vocational training or able to start & grow their own business.
Improve access to existing services and organisations through signposting.
Our Values Statement
Our work is guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
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- Inspire and empower young adults to live a better life.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Commit to a culture of teamwork and collaboration.
- Act with professionalism and integrity.
- Act with honesty, transparency and ethical conduct.
- Recognise the contribution and value of volunteers within our organisation.
- Listen to and create solutions with young adults.
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