Always on
This project successfully funded on 31st May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Oak London - moving from challenge to confidence
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Aim
Oak uses physical activity and retreats to empower young men facing challenges, building the resilience needed to build stable active lives.
Who are we?
Oak London is a project of Bethnal Green Mission Church, born from a 160-year legacy of supporting East Londoners in times of hardship. We work with young men (18–30) who have faced significant challenges: prison-leavers, care-leavers, and those surviving in temporary hostels.
Our vision is to grow "Oaks of Righteousness" - resilient leaders who move from the margins of society to the centre of their communities. Led by a multi-disciplinary team of social workers, sports coaches, and mentors with lived experience, we provide a 5-stage pathway that begins with a physical and mental reset and ends with long-term stability.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding for our active restoration initiative. For young men in hostels or transitioning from prison, physical inactivity is often a symptom of boredom, poor mental health, deeper trauma and financial crisis. We know that movement is the first step toward mental clarity and discipline.
By raising these funds, we are eligible for Sport England’s Movement Fund. This project specifically targets "inactive" groups who face the greatest barriers to sport. We use intensive 5-day retreats in Bristol as a circuit-breaker, where morning workouts and team-based activities build the foundation for our follow-up workshops. We need this funding to ensure expand upon our work over the last 5 years, supporting young man to access the life-changing benefits of physical activity and community support.
How we’ll spend the money raised
Transparency is vital. Every pledge helps fund the journey from crisis to confidence:
- £12,000: Direct Project Delivery. Covers 4 intensive cohorts, including travel to our Bristol residential site, accommodation, nutritious meals, and activities including sport and exercise sessions.
- £31,000: Specialist Staffing. Support from 4-5 part-time experts, including our experts by experience and training for our mentors who walk alongside participants
- £1,500: Training & Expenses. Leadership coaching for our staff to ensure trauma-informed delivery.
- £5,000: Operational Overheads. Ensuring our East London hub remains a safe, consistent space for weekly follow-up sessions.
- £800: Admin & Comms.
Community impact
The impact of Oak London ripples far beyond the individual. By supporting a young man to choose a positive path, we reduce the staggering societal costs of reoffending (£51k/year) and temporary housing (£17k/year).
Our participants don’t just receive support; they give back. Through our Stage 4 Community Projects, they lead initiatives like BBQs for refugees and meals for the elderly, using sport and service to repair the social fabric of East London. We are building a self-sustaining community where 60% of participants remain engaged a year later, many returning as mentors to help the next generation get active and stay on track.
"Oak London helped me come out of my shell. The confidence it gave me allowed me to go into my internship with a positive outlook." — Maz, 24
How you can play your part
Make a pledge: Every donation, large or small, helps us unlock matched funding and reach our goal.Spread the word: Share our page on social media! Help us reach those who believe in the power of second chances.Offer rewards: If you are a local business, donate a service or product we can offer as a reward. We’ll give you a shout-out!Fundraise for us: Run your own sponsored activity! Whether it’s a 5k or a bake sale, your energy drives our mission.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made