Box Up opens in Barking

THIS WILL BE A FREE RESOURCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND WE WANT TO SEE THE NEXT BIG THING COME OUT OF OUR BOROUGH. WE DON’T WANT TO SEE ANY MORE [YOUNG PEOPLE] DYING OR GOING TO PRISON FOR LIFE.

MAUREEN WORBY

In October 2020, Box Up opened a brand new hub in Barking in a bid to stop young people falling victim to violence or ending up behind bars through offering free mentoring and training. 

Owner Stephen Addison explained: “From a state of the art music studio to motivational, educational rooms and inspirational mentors, we are investing the right resources in our young people and giving them the opportunity to chase their dreams and choose success over crimeand gangs.”

“This will be a free resource to young people and we want to see the next big thing come out of our borough. We don’t want to see any more [young people] dying or going to prison for life.” He added everything in the centre provides what a young person growing up in the borough needs to fulfil their dreams.

The centre will be running an initiative named Project ROADS – which stands for real opportunities, advice, direction and support. Activities and resources on offer include music production, business enterprise, graphic and merchandise design, mentoring and counselling.

Cllr Maureen Worby, cabinet member for social care and health integration, said: “It’s so important the council works closely with partner organisations such as Box Up Crime to try and address the continuous problem of youth violence.

“Box Up Crime do some fantastic work for young people in the community from getting them off the streets and working with them to achieve their dreams.

“I hope the young people of Barking and Dagenham will use this great facility.”