One of the best kept secrets in Kings Cross is the fantastic work done by the Copenhagen Youth Project on Copenhagen Street. Last year the charity gave 400 young people on 5,000 occasions the opportunity to do something more interesting than hanging out on the street corner, playing computer games or something worse. The main focus is art and sport. There is no mainstream youth provision by the Council in the area. CYP is vital to providing personal development for young people in the bleak environment of local estates and generally keeping them out of trouble.
The police and local Councillors strongly support CYP. I am a Director. Since 2002 when CYP hit volume the youth crime issues have plummeted and gang sizes have shrunk by three quarters- ironically kids now come from all over Islington to hang out on the Cally Road because they feel it is safe here.
CYP doesn’t do PR but we now have some material describing in a colourful way how CYP helps young people. If you are reading this on the website you should see some easy to view slides here (click in the bottom right to enlarge) or download the large file direct from the link at the bottom of the page if you are an email subscriber.
This is a large scale operation – it costs £25,000 a month to run these life enhancing youth activities for hundreds of kids a month helping young people with a ladder of progression. It isn’t just a bit of ping pong and a youth club. Money is always tough to find – currently from over 30 sources. We shall have an online donation route soon that I shall report here. Overheads are very low. You can post a cheque to
Copenhagen Youth Project
First Floor, West Library
Bridgeman Road
London N1 1BD
Registered Charity: 1091001 Company Limited: 4229324
CYP is always looking for people who can volunteer or might like to be on the management committee. If you think you can help contact Antonia Benedek or Gill Calvert by email here or by phone 020 7607 6050 or drop me a line.
Here is the link direct to download the presentation Download CYP_presentation_June08.ppt
Kings Cross Environment 