Only Connect

Only Connect works in schools, in prisons and on the streets to deliver projects that build relationships, grow skills and cut crime. The focus is innovation to prevent first-time offending and reduce re-offending. Members are enabled to design and deliver solutions to their own problems and problems faced by other members and their peers across London. They aim to equip a generation of people with the resilience and skills to address the challenges they face, and become positive agents for change in their communities.

They provide young people at risk and ex-offenders with membership of one of their clubs in central and west London. The clubs support members to support themselves, unlocking their potential through training, support and creative opportunities. This includes use of the music studio with professional producers, theatrical workshops and opportunities, conflict resolution, arts awards, OC kitchen training and job opportunities, enterprise support.

They also deliver creative criminal justice projects in the community, engaging at every point in the crime cycle in order to reduce offending. They see the people they work with as assets not liabilities, with a contribution to make to their families, communities and wider society.