Making a Difference Together for Young People in our Community

21 April 2020

JusB is a community-based youth centre based in Bromley, Kent. The centre, a registered charity, works with young people, supporting them on their journeys to independence and encouraging them to get the most out of their potential.

Thousands of young people have been helped over the 16 years the charity has been operating. Working around a mission of inspiring and enabling young people to develop, be confident and value themselves, JusB does all it can to help young people become better equipped for their journeys through life. To make this possible, external funding and support are absolutely vital.

Supporting local communities has always been important Practice-wide at FFT, and we actively encourage everyone here who shows a desire, to give back. Two years ago, through a staff engagement initiative, we invited staff to nominate a charity of their choice, and for one charity to be selected via a staff vote. JusB, nominated by Kelly Allen, was overwhelmingly the favoured choice.

Kelly’s relationship with JusB dates back to when she was a teenager. Circumstances outside her control had led her to make herself homeless but, with support from the JusB team, she was able to find safe places to stay off the street and, two years later following the birth of her daughter, they helped her apply for a college place and arrange childcare so she could get herself on track and study towards her future career.

Kelly is now a highly respected, award-winning Building Surveyor and has become an ambassador for JusB, a role in which she takes pride in encouraging young people into a fulfilling career, just as the charity did for her.

Our two-year support commitment for JusB has encompassed a raft of activities including office fundraisers, a golf day, an annual ball, participation at educational events and regular financial contributions to learning and wellbeing activities. These funds have helped the charity support vulnerable young people; to assist children with the often difficult transition between primary and secondary school and to encourage young people in their journey to independence.

JusB Project Manager Ned McWhirter said, “We can’t thank you enough for the backing and the difference you have made to JusB. Not only have you contributed £35,248.44, you have helped raise our profile, and Kelly has been a fantastic advocate for our work.

“The talk she gave at our 15th anniversary event did change the course of at least one young person’s life, (that young person still mentions the ‘lady who spoke at the church’) and I am sure it had a lasting effect on many others who were there.”

The charity has shared with us the fact that the two-year partnership and commitment from FFT has helped them secure additional funding, including a three-year National Lottery grant.

Senior Partner Colin Farrell says, “The values of JusB draw parallel to those of our own charitable organisation, The Effinity Charitable Foundation, which aims to provide disadvantaged young people with opportunities for self-improvement and help them participate in society to a greater extent as mature and responsible individuals. It has been incredibly gratifying to have supported the vitally important work of JusB over the past two years, even more so considering the doors that have been opened for them to other sources of funding.” JusB helps young people develop independence and self-esteem, new skills and talents, social skills and a sense of belonging. To learn more about the community outreach work they do, visit https://www.jusb.co.uk/.