Ten years after the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, community projects in North Kensington are thriving, providing vital support and opportunities for young people. From music studios to football clubs, these initiatives are rebuilding lives and fostering a sense of unity.
Project leaders aiding the community in the aftermath of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire have achieved successes they never thought possible. Organizers at Kids On The Green (KOTG) in North Kensington , west London, say it has become a haven for young people to learn, express themselves, and discover new opportunities. Some have acquired qualifications in performing arts, while others are progressing to paid work placements or further education.
Among those who have benefited is musician and producer Malachi Saunders, 23. He has completed placements in music studios and on television shows as a sound engineer. Saunders, who was studying for his GCSEs at the time of the fire, shared, 'I remember walking to school, saw the fire, and from then went to school. 'After that day... there were a lot of underlying issues I hadn't really come to peace with, so it's like my music was a therapy for that.'KOTG operates a youth club, therapy services, and boasts its own music and podcast studios, along with radio and TV production suites. Founder Zoe Levack states that KOTG is 'not a traditional youth club; we are a safe space for young people and children to simply come and be.' She added, 'Some of these young people have come... with huge personal challenges; a lot of the young people that have graduated have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion at the moment from mainstream education.' Saunders acknowledged that gaining experience before joining Kids On The Green was challenging, but now 'the accessibility is here; it's a lot more easy.' He expressed optimism, saying, 'The more I keep doing, the more I'm working on myself, the more keeps falling into place. The best is yet to come. I haven't even started yet.'Another organization that has rallied in the wake of the fire is the North Kensington Community Kitchen, led by Melanie Juno Wolfe. Supported by charities the Felix Project and City Harvest London, this organization collects fresh and canned food with a limited shelf life and distributes crates of produce across North Kensington. Ms. Wolfe explained that while it initially emerged as a community response during the pandemic for families with special needs or excluded children, the project has expanded significantly since then. She emphasized the importance of collective effort, stating, 'You can have an idea and you can start something, but if everyone doesn't put that bit into it, you're going to get nowhere.' She noted that Grenfell revealed the potential for everyone to contribute, stating, 'What Grenfell showed us was that actually there is a place for everybody, there is something everybody can do to make a difference.'Ms. Wolfe further observed that the fire exposed deep-seated issues around social justice and inequality in the area. She said, 'We were flooded with people who felt they were lost, and we were able to help them and support them and bring them together.' Meanwhile, at children's community football club Kensington Dragons, which provides access to free and inclusive sport, organizers have witnessed a surge in membership following the fire. The club now comprises 20 teams, ranging from nine-year-olds to young adults. Coach Magnus McDowall explained their mission: 'What we want to do is provide that support on weeknights and weekends where maybe statutory provision can't fill in. 'It's all about improving young people's mental health and well-being, and physical health; but also bringing the community together through free football and using the role we play in the kids' lives to expand life opportunities.
Grenfell Tower Community Projects North Kensington Kids On The Green Music Football Social Impact Regeneration Support Mental Health
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