HOMELESS support
Sadly, we are regularly confronted with instances of homelessness, caused by a myriad of circumstances such as difficulties in the family dynamic, abandonment due to mental health issues or family estrangement, often brought about by drug abuse, criminal activities or severe delinquent behaviour.
This list is by no means exhaustive, in some cases the young people have simply run out of options such as sofa surfing, and are literally sleeping in shop doorways or parks.
Where possible, we will negotiate the safe return of the young person to the family home. This requires intense intervention and support to both the adolescent as well as to his parents.
Where the better option is independent living, we source suitable accommodation and support the young person with grants for rent, food, items for personal hygiene and changes of clothing.
We have also recently converted a section of our premises into an emergency temporary shelter.
Mentoring
The first step in the rehabilitation of the young person is to create a tailor-made programme where we identify his key strengths.
With the help of our team of dedicated mentors and life coaches, we seek to involve the young person in creating his own future
Our mentors seek to build positive relationships, offering unconditional support which is the first step towards restoring the client’s fragile self-belief.
At the same time, we are conscious of the negative impact that the delinquent behaviour of one child can have on a whole family.
Our holistic approach includes providing appropriate family therapy to parents who are caught between wanting to provide support and continuous love, whilst at the same time struggling to establish appropriate boundaries for their child in crisis.
For this sensitive and specialised work, we have our team of therapists and life coaches who specialise in adolescents and addictions, as well as family mediation.
education
The vast majority of our clients have not completed their formal education. In many instances, this is attributed to learning and/or emotional difficulties which were not properly diagnosed or addressed at an earlier stage.
With the overall goal of providing our clients with the necessary educational tools to enable them to move forward in life, we are conscious that successfully completing any educational course is a stepping stone for their future successes.
Through networking with other organisations such as Work Avenue, Gateways and others, we provide multi-layered training and education solutions.
Thus far, courses have included but are not limited to: GCSE’s, A Levels, NVQs in Hospitality, Accountancy, Music Production, ICT / ECDL, Photography
career
Our overall goal with all our clients is to put them on a path towards self-sufficiency and self-reliance so that they can develop into contributing members of society.
We work closely with numerous businesses to find work placements and apprenticeship opportunities in a wide variety of different industries and fields.
We provide tailored and specific career guidance which is, at all times, appropriate to the individual’s education and level of abilities.
This includes CV writing, development of interview skills, work experience programmes.
In addition, we are able to offer ‘work readiness programmes’ by networking with other specialist charities.
activities
Our programme of activities is a vital component in providing a positive outlet for youthful energy and opportunities to connect, grow and develop on their personal journeys.
OUR ON-SITE DROP-IN CENTRE At the heart of all our activities, being a safe haven where our clients can spend time in a relaxed, non-threatening environment and where they can connect with mentors and the team whilst making use of our facilities which include: Pool Tables, Table Tennis, PlayStation/XBOX, a fully equipped Gym and Music Studio.
MONDAY LEARNING & DISCUSSION GROUPS On Monday evenings, we host a group and discussion programme where, if the boys want, they can further their religious studies on a 1:1 basis with volunteers. This is followed by a group supper during which various guest speakers lead topical discussions.
THURSDAY GUEST NIGHT Thursday nights at our drop-in centre is based around a guest individual or organisation, giving the group an opportunity to engage with ‘the outside world’. Guests include: Senior Rabbis, Businessmen, Senior Dignitaries of the City of London, Riot Police, Barnet Borough Commander, Drugs and alcohol workers and volunteers
LUNCH & LEARN Once a week we organise a relaxed lunch, where a guest speaker will come in and talk about their life experiences, a recent speaker being the only Jewish Chelsea Pensioner.
WEEKLY OUTINGS We offer a wide range of weekly activities including 5-a-side football, regular trips to TopGolf as well as other team-building sessions. Activities are supplied as incentives for good work and positive engagement.
RESIDENTIAL TRIPS As funds allow, we take the boys on outdoor activities that empower our young people to fulfil their potential and lead positive lives in the future. These programmes help the boys to build resilience, develop confidence, learn teamwork and skills that will last a lifetime, helping them to face the challenges in their lives.
HERITAGE TOURS Our programs embrace pluralistic Jewish values, offering opportunities for inspiration, connection, and community. Guided tours help our boys understand the horrific events of the past, exploring themes like power, obedience, and human behaviour. The boys are encouraged to reflect on persecution, discrimination, and the experiences of Jewish and other communities during WWII.
VOLUNTEERING We also encourage communal volunteering programs including visits to old age homes, hospitals and special needs institutions. We have recently created a new group of professional ‘fun and laughter’ providers, who visit vulnerable groups or individuals to provide cheer to their lives, allowing the boys the opportunity to “give back”.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Vulnerable teenagers need consistent support. We offer weekly therapy sessions with experienced therapists and counsellors, specialised in working with this challenging group. This provides emotional support for the boys at The Boys Clubhouse, helping them overcome self-defeating behaviours. Therapy provides a safe space for adolescents to explore their emotions and learn healthy ways to cope with them, whilst providing tools to help them cope with situations, express themselves more effectively and make positive lifestyle changes.
Our Therapy Room, a calm and comfortable space providing a sense of safety that allows our focus to be on therapy.
specialised Therapy
THE MUSIC STUDIO Music Therapy has proven to be a very effective tool for helping adolescents who are struggling with mental health issues. Time in the studio, working with professional musicians, the sessions help the boys identify and work through feelings, with music as a tool to help them ride the wave of those emotions Relating to teens through something they enjoy can help build the therapeutic relationship. The benefits of music therapy are that it can help a teen express their emotions more clearly and calm their racing minds. When performed correctly, music therapy can be an invaluable tool for recovery.
EQUINE THERAPY Equine therapy utilises interactions with horses to help heal emotional wounds and enhance overall wellbeing, we have found it to offer numerous benefits for young adults who may be struggling with various challenges. The unique bond formed between humans and horses serves as a catalyst for healing and personal growth.
The horses possess an acute sense of human emotion and can mirror human body language. They are also intuitive, able to sense and respond to human emotions and nonverbal cues. This unique form of therapy not only helps to build confidence and trust, it also fosters a sense of responsibility and connection with these magnificent animals. providing an opportunity for personal growth and emotional healing.
YOUTUBE LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkINBQ9_N8I
STATS
TESTIMONIALS
“When I was excluded from school, and isolated from my friends, nothing seemed to matter anymore. I could see nothing worth living for. Nobody seemed to be able to help. Then I found The Boys Clubhouse and things really turned around” - Aron – 21yrs old
“The work of The Boys Clubhouse is literally saving lives” – Rabbi Shimon Winegarten
“Having seen first-hand the work of The Boys Clubhouse, there is no doubt in my mind of its importance” – Matthew Offord (MP 2010 – 2024)
“Our family was falling apart, and Daniel was facing a life of crime. Thanks to The Boys Clubhouse we are in a new hopeful world with a bright future ahead of us” – A grateful parent
“There are unfortunately plenty of boys who do not feel good about themselves, for whatever reason. As a result, they turn to whatever they can find, however harmful, to try and fill that gaping hole in their lives. This is where The Boys Clubhouse step in by being welcoming, accepting and non-judgemental. They give the boys a sense of self-worth and help them to realise their own value. They literally save the lives of boys …they saved mine” – Eli – 19yrs old
“After months of running, rough nights on the streets, police, violence and much more they found me the best foster family I could ever imagine, as well as the best support – thank you Ari and all at The Boys Clubhouse”
“The Boys Clubhouse helped me as a human, helping put the pieces to the picture and even helping me hang the pictures to the wall.
They were there every step of the way and whether I liked it or not they cared to the very best of their ability and NEVER gave up on me, no matter how much I put them through.”
The Boys Clubhouse is there to change YOUR LIFE it certainly changed mine!!!”
