OUR ROOTS IN BRIXTON ARE GROWING DEEPER WITH A 10 YEAR LEASE FROM LAMBETH COUNCIL FOR A NEW, PURPOSE-BUILT YOUTH CENTRE
We were founded in Brixton back in 2014, and have since grown into a community of over 200 young change-makers who have led impactful campaigns, many gaining local and national recognition, such as Lambeth CLT, Choked Up, The Halo Code, My Uncle Is Not Pablo Escobar and many, many more.
We are delighted to announce a significant milestone in our journey towards empowering young advocates and fostering community growth. After years of supporting young people to take action in their local communities, we are thrilled to share that the Lambeth Council has approved a 10-year lease for us to operate a new purpose-built youth and community centre in the heart of Brixton.
To find out more about The Liberation Centre click here.
Reflecting on our mission, Saba Shafi, CEO of The Advocacy Academy, shared how "Our journey has always been about helping young people to make a positive impact. Over the years, we've witnessed the transformative impact of our youth organising and community engagement, providing spaces for people with lived experience of injustice to become catalysts for change. This new centre will play a pivotal role in providing positive spaces for our young people, and supporting the wider community in Brixton''.
Our new youth organising and community centre, set to open its doors in April 2024, is purpose-built to empower young advocates, and accommodate their learning and growth. It will also serve to support the growth of local grassroots groups who have been working tirelessly in the face of increasing difficulties. The unused underground space beneath the Brixton Recreation Centre is five times bigger than our previous home and will become The Liberation Centre, a purpose-built space for our young advocates, and a co-working and community space in Brixton.
Nicole Osei, local organiser of Tribaling Space - a grassroots community health and wellbeing space, reflected on the impact of our presence in Brixton “The Advocacy Academy opened their doors with generosity and ease, with a beautiful space opened to the community that has allowed me to create and deliver dance movement meditation sessions to a wide range of the community”. We are grateful to the Lambeth Council for granting us a ten-year lease, underscoring our commitment to a more just, inclusive, and equitable society.
HOW TO SUPPORT OUR CROWD FUNDRAISER FOR £50,000
However, to make this vision a reality, we need support from individuals like you. We're aiming to raise £250,000, with £50,000 through our crowdfunding campaign. Your contribution can play a crucial role in creating a vibrant, accessible space for young people and the wider community in Brixton.
How You Can Help:
DONATE NOW to our crowd-funder. Every pound counts towards our goal!
SHARE: Spread the word on your socials using the hashtag #TAANewYouthCentre.
USE the Digital Toolkit here to amplify our crowd-funder campaign on social media.
VOLUNTEER to help us fundraise. Get in touch with Benjamin@theadvocacyacademy.com.
Your support will not only contribute to the physical space but will also help build the power of our young people to turn their anger into action.
Thank you for being a part of The Advocacy Academy community!
WIDER BRIXTON RECREATION CONTEXT
The project to convert underused space in the Brixton Rec into a new home for Brixton charities is part of the council’s broader revitalisation of the Brixton Recreation Quarter, which received funding from the Mayor of London's Good Growth Fund and the Council. The project will also bring major improvements to the Rec’s external lighting, which will light the surrounding streets; improvements to 12 shop units in the Rec; the restoration of historic signage; and improvements to the Rec’s concourse with a Wall of Fame, historic plaque, and space for exhibitions and performance.
HELP FUND OUR NEW YOUTH CENTRE! DONATE NOW
