Argosy Lodge

The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation has donated £90,000 to support disadvantaged young people accessing creative projects at Roundhouse in North West London. Hundreds of disadvantaged and vulnerable young people will be able to access creative projects aimed at developing personal and social skills, thanks to a £90,000 grant from London Freemasons.

The grant for the Roundhouse Community Participation Programme, will be delivered over three years and engage some of the most disadvantaged young people in Camden and the surrounding area at the legendary venue. The Community Participation Programme aims to eliminate barriers for young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or diverse ethnic backgrounds from accessing opportunities in the arts.

The fund will support projects including;
• Two intensive projects for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)
• Taster sessions and projects with schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)
• Taster and regular sessions with voluntary partners (on and off site)
• In-house pastoral support & bursaries
• The Roundhouse Community Network

Participants who have previously accessed opportunities and support on the Community Participation Programme are often facing various issues in their life – from homelessness, to mental health problems, to involvement in the criminal justice system – but taking on creative projects has allowed them to find a job, go back into education or take a new path in their life. The Roundhouse Trust is the charitable foundation of the Roundhouse, the legendary live venue in North London, which enables 4,500 young people each year to take on creative opportunities – in music, media, performing arts, circus and digital.

Marnie Middlemiss, head of major giving and trusts, Roundhouse said; “Many young people feel that creativity and culture is out of their reach, but our Community Participation Programme puts those very young people at its heart. We are so grateful to London Freemasons for this grant as it will help hundreds of young people to find a new direction or career, or help build skills which they can use for the rest of their life.”