YOUNG PEOPLE RE-BUILD EAST LONDON DOCK YARD
Today, 24 young people from schools in Tower Hamlet are rebuilding a once derelict dock yard in East London.
The project, a collaboration between youth start up Risk Agency, Toynbee Hall and The Gasworks Dock Partnership is introducing London’s next generation of workers to four modern day trades; construction, creative production, catering and landscaping.
According to Miraaj, who has never done any construction work before, the experience was ‘Ten out of ten. Would do again’.
Located a stones through from the modern day trading district of Canary Wharf, Cody Dock is a creative business incubator, visitors centre, garden and community hub. Open to the public every day, the site provides access to the River Lea and the Leaway walk, linking the Thames To Hertfordshire via the Olympic Park.
Huan Rimington, Risk Agency’s founder and a former apprentice himself, said: “Today, so many of our young people are denied the skills, experiences and connections to access work. This project is just one example of what young people can achieve in our city given the right opportunity.”
The products of the team’s hard work at Cody Dock will be open for all to see from Saturday 21st May.
Notes to editors
Risk Agency was set up in 2014 by construction company Adventure Playground Engineers (APES) in response to a lack of meaningful opportunities to access the capitals extensive construction industry. The charity turns traditional apprenticeships on their head and puts young people in control of bold and ambitious building projects. Through taking a lead of real built projects, Risk Agency develops young people’s vocational, professional and leadership skills to enable all young people to fulfil their potential.
Gasworks Dock Partnership (GDP) is a registered charity based in the London Borough of Newham leading the regeneration and development of Cody Dock. GDP is working to develop a creative industries quarter with new workspace, visitor facilities and public space. The site will not only provide jobs and public facilities but also foster civic pride by celebrating the area’s waterways and rich industrial heritage. With the help of over 3000 volunteers and charitable donations the revival of Cody Dock is already well underway and many further developments will be taking place in 2016.
Cody Dock is open to the public during daylight hours. Located at 11C South Crescent, Canning Town, London E16 4TL.
Gasworks Dock Partnership and its Inspiring Communities project is supported by The Big Lottery Reaching Communities fund.
www.gasworksdock.org.uk
www.facebook.com/CodyDock/
Contact
Huan Rimington, Risk Agency: 07515 024636
Photos and interviews with participants available Friday 20th May
Info@riskagency.org
www.riskagency.org
@RiskAgency