Raising money for oak London, an amazing charity helping at risk young men overcome challenges and disadvantages to make the most of life
Oak London is a retreat and mentoring programme for young adults who are facing significant challenges and setbacks. This includes prison-leavers and those at risk of offending, people living in hostels or supported accommodation, care-leavers, and those simply with very limited support systems. Oak London provides a holistic and supportive environment to enable participants to develop a positive sense of self-worth, build healthy relationships, and make positive choices.
The programme has 5 stages and runs across 3 months:
• Enrolment: Getting to know the young adult, assessing their suitability for the programme, and completing safeguarding checks.
• Retreat: 4-5 days away in Bristol. Each day starts with a 7am run and involves workshops, activities and cooking meals together. The workshops are based around 'Responsibility and vulnerability’, 'Forgiveness and reconciliation' and 'Our stories'.
• Follow up: Ongoing weekly sessions. Eating dinner together and hosting workshops that develop upon the themes explored on the retreat. These include 'Goal-setting', 'Addressing trauma', 'Relationships', 'Money management', 'Faith and life', ‘Mental Health’ and 'Planning the community project'.
• Community Project: An opportunity to be a positive change maker. This is participant organised and led.
• Mentoring: On-going 1-1 support for 1 year.
This project successfully funded on 20th May 2024