We’re proud to support an exciting new project that will help thousands of young Londoners overcome barriers, build their confidence, and find a path to a bright future.
At The Portal Trust, we believe that every young Londoner deserves the opportunity to unlock their potential, no matter their background, circumstances or where they live.
That’s why we’re proud to announce that we’ve awarded £250,000 to the University of East London (UEL) to help launch a brand-new programme that aims to transform the lives of thousands of young people.
East London is home to some of the most talented and creative young people in our city. But for many living in Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets, the path to a bright future career can feel blocked by unfair barriers.
According to 2019 data, Newham and Tower Hamlets rank within the top 10% most deprived local authorities in England. Lots of young people don’t have access to the digital tools they need to study, and many others struggle to settle back into education after being excluded.
Over the next three years, UEL is setting up the East London Primary Care Education Centre (ELPCEC).
At its heart, this project is a warm and welcoming community initiative. It has been designed to give young people under 25 the practical, proactive support they need to build their confidence and thrive.
Something we love about this project is how it brings everything together. We know that young people can’t focus on their education if they’re struggling with their mental health, or look for a job without the right technical skills. The ELPCEC is the first programme of its kind to bring together tutoring, wellbeing support, digital skills, and career mentoring into one complete, supportive journey.
Instead of expecting young people to navigate multiple services, support will be available through one trusted network, making it easier for them to access the opportunities they need to thrive.
It’s also been designed for young people facing the greatest barriers to opportunity, including those at risk of educational exclusion or becoming disconnected from education, employment or training.
Professor Amanda Broderick, Vice-Chancellor & President of the University of East London, said: "We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with The Portal Trust and are very grateful for its continued investment in our shared ambition to improve outcomes for young people across East London.
"This funding will enable us to launch a pioneering new programme that gives thousands of young people access to the qualifications, digital skills, wellbeing support and careers guidance they need to shape their futures."
We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with The Portal Trust and are very grateful for its continued investment in our shared ambition to improve outcomes for young people across East London.
Amanda Broderick
Vice-Chancellor & President of the University of East London
The project is preparing to launch in the next few months, and services will reach from UEL’s Stratford campus directly into local schools, colleges and community centres.
To see how this works in practice, this is what a young person’s journey could look like once they step through the doors:
Months 1-2: A student might join a free, creative digital media workshop at their local youth club. While there, they might meet a youth mentor who helps build their confidence and introduces them to other opportunities.
Months 3-4: They could realise they need specific qualifications to apply for an apprenticeship, so they sign up for a free English and Maths class. At the same time, they build up their digital safety skills and join wellbeing workshops to help manage stress.
Months 5-8: They’re ready to take their next career step so they attend a CV building and interview prep bootcamp. They submit their application for a university course or local apprenticeship with the support of the centre’s education advisers. They walk away with a clear career path while receiving ongoing guidance on financial planning and wellbeing support.
This £250,000 grant will support the first year of the education and employment side of this process.
The funding will pay for two new academic tutors to deliver completely free Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English – which are essential criteria for many jobs and higher-education courses.
It will also support practical workshops in coding, video production and graphic design, alongside career coaching and a dedicated service designed to connect underrepresented young people with local apprenticeship opportunities.
The project aims to reach up to 5,000 young people with these opportunities by the end of its first year.
It's clear to us that a more joined-up approach is needed to address the intersecting challenges so many young people now face in finding a fulfilling career, and this innovative new project presents a major step forward in addressing that need.
Richard Foley
Cheif Executive at The Portal Trust
Our Chief Executive, Richard Foley said:
"The Portal Trust is excited to provide early funding for UEL's East London Primary Care Education Centre. It's clear to us that a more joined-up approach is needed to address the intersecting challenges so many young people now face in finding a fulfilling career, and this innovative new project presents a major step forward in addressing that need. By removing barriers and creating meaningful pathways into education and employment, it will empower young Londoners to pursue the futures they deserve.”
We’re so glad to support projects like this, giving young Londoners the chance to see a future for themselves that they might not have considered before, while being supported by people who really believe in them.
We’re really excited to see the lasting change the ELPCEC will bring to East London. We’ll share updates with you as the project comes along, so stay tuned!
Do you have a project helping young people reach their full potential? Read our full criteria and application process on our Funding page.