Skylight Activity Centre

Crisis is a UK-based charity which deals with the massive problem of homelessness in our country. Of the many projects they manage, one is the Skylight Activity Centre in London’s East End.

The Skylight activity centre is all about the empowerment of homeless people through engagement, education and employment. 150 people attend Skylight daily. When homeless people first come to the Skylight centre, they become members.

Its purpose is to:

• Tackle daytime homelessness
• Provide a wow factor for homeless people - the space is key to this
• Help homeless people develop their skills, re-integrate and lead meaningfullives

• 25% rough sleeping
• About 40% using hostels, night shelters and Bed & Breakfasts
• About 20% Squatting or staying on friends & families floors

Of course, there are many areas in which Skylight is still heavily under-funded, and this is where the One Percent Scheme can help. Beverley Sharpe, the Trusts and Major Donor Manager, has outlined for us three very specific areas where our donations could make a huge difference. These are:

1. A computer for the new music studio - Skylight currently runs singing courses (production of sound & projection of self), music theory courses and acoustic
guitar at beginner and intermediate levels. This funding would enable Skylight to
fulfil their music plan, which is to add sound engineering / programming tuition
to the music programme. It would also enable the current students to record
their work, enhancing their progression.

2. Several scanners and printers for the new IT suite in the basement of the
Skylight centre. They have recently put in a new computer suite so that they can run
creative IT courses for the members. They have found a Photoshop tutor, who will
begin training in January, but desperately need some scanners and printers for the
members to use.

3. Skylight also includes the Learning Zone, which runs accredited courses for their members. In 2005/06, 350 members enrolled and completed over 250 qualifications in literacy, numeracy, ESOL and basic computer skills. Again, from January they will be offering ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) courses. This is a great qualification for people with low or no qualifications like most of the members as it is looked on favourably by most employers and will help them into employment. In order to run this course they need specific software, which is tailored to enable the delivery of ECDL.

As you can see, this is exactly the kind of project the OPS likes to get involved in: something that can provide real, tangible results. Likewise, the Skylight Activity Centre being based in such an accessible location, this creates a huge opportunity for our members to visit the Centre, and actually see where and how our money is being put to use.

Ross Dickinson, December 2006