Since 2005, The Riana Development Network has been helping marginalised young people from Hounslow by supplementing their education, mentoring them in life skills and leadership, giving advice on health issues and engaging them in community projects. They now help around 500 youngsters a year, up from about 100 in 2015, liaising with the council and community and religious leaders to search out those most in need as well as using their own grassroots contacts.
The Freshwater Foundation were able to help fund a community needs research project, designed to better understand the needs of local young people and conducted by the young people themselves, supported by expert guidance. The results will not only put Riana’s support efforts on a better-informed footing, but will also lead to the setting up of a sustainable research social enterprise, providing experience for many young people in the years to come.
We are also working with Riana to develop our own outreach and community needs assessment capabilities, and also to help them develop and enhance their benefits assessment procedures.