Why We Exist

OUR
MISSION

To improve youth wellbeing and opportunity by connecting schools with trusted community organisations and specialist practitioners delivering high-quality programmes.

Mission

To improve youth wellbeing and opportunity by connecting schools with trusted community organisations and specialist practitioners.

Vision

A future where young people in South London, regardless of background or postcode, can access opportunities that build confidence, resilience, aspiration and safety.

Purpose

To act as a community amplifier — bringing together schools, practitioners and funders so more young people can benefit from specialist support.

Core Values

WHAT WE STAND FOR

🌱
Opportunity

Extending access to programmes that build wellbeing, skills and aspiration.

🤝
Community

Strengthening the relationship between schools and local organisations.

🛡️
Safeguarding

Putting the safety and dignity of young people at the centre of every programme.

📊
Impact

Prioritising evidence, reflection and measurable outcomes in all we do.

🔗
Collaboration

Working through partnership rather than duplication or competition.

Evidence of Need

THE CASE
FOR
INTERVENTION

Young people in London face increasing challenges affecting their wellbeing, safety and access to positive opportunities — while the services designed to help them have been systematically defunded.

"Youth services funding has declined by more than 70% since 2010, dramatically reducing provision for young people."

Youth Futures Foundation
0%+
Decline in youth service funding since 2010 (England)
£0m
Removed from London youth budgets over the last decade
0+
Youth centres closed across the capital
1 in 5
Young people with a probable mental health disorder (England)
Rising CAMHS demand, longer waits

Schools report increasing anxiety, depression, behavioural challenges and disengagement — with CAMHS waiting lists growing longer.

Inequality of access

Students in lower-income areas face higher exposure to crime, fewer role models and greater barriers to enrichment opportunities.

Schools at capacity

Teachers and school leaders are increasingly expected to manage complex social issues whilst delivering academic outcomes.

Theory of Change

HOW CHANGE HAPPENS

From inputs to long-term community impact — a clear logic chain built into the C.A.N. model from day one.

Inputs
  • Grant funding
  • School demand
  • Delivery expertise
  • Safeguarding framework
Activities
  • Targeted youth programmes
  • School coordination
  • Partner commissioning
  • Impact measurement
Outputs
  • 6–8 schools engaged
  • 600–800 young people
  • 60+ sessions delivered
  • 6–10 partners active
Short-term
  • Improved confidence
  • Better participation
  • Safety awareness
  • Emotional expression
Long-term
  • Stronger wellbeing
  • Safer choices
  • Greater aspiration
  • Resilient communities
Governance & Structure

BUILT FOR
FUNDER CONFIDENCE

The C.A.N. is established as a CIC Limited by Guarantee. This structure combines legal clarity, asset lock protection and practical suitability for grant and partnership work.

🏛️
CIC Limited by Guarantee

Asset-locked community benefit structure. Surpluses reinvested into programme delivery, not extracted as profit.

🛡️
Safeguarding Framework

Designated Safeguarding Lead, mandatory DBS, KCSiE-aligned procedures, incident logging and escalation routes built into every programme.

📊
Three Director Roles

Partnerships & Strategy · Operations & Safeguarding · Programmes & Impact. Part-time, modestly paid operational leadership.

📋
UK GDPR & Conflicts Policy

Data handled on a need-to-know basis. Annual conflict of interest declarations, meeting-level disclosures and decision recording in place.

READY TO INVEST
IN YOUNG PEOPLE?

Whether you're a funder, school, corporate partner or practitioner — there's a role for you in the C.A.N. model.

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