Europe, Middle East and Africa

Focus on the future

It’s not easy being 10 years old. In their final year of primary school and on the brink of adolescence, pupils are entering a challenging phase in their personal, social and educational development. For those who are struggling both socially and at school, it can present very serious issues for their long-term well-being.

To prevent the downward spiral these conditions can lead to, it is critical that these vulnerable young people receive support to ‘transition’ successfully into senior education and go on to achieve their full potential.

Community Links – an innovative inner-city charity that runs community-based projects in East London – has a program which offers just that. It is called ‘Project Transition’ and approximately 40 children are referred each school term. They attend one day a week and have the opportunity to attend a ‘Homework Catch-Up’ club in the evening.

“It is essential that children are fully prepared for secondary education, as it really could impact their entire future. It is so inspiring that UBS has engaged with this issue. The firm’s commitment to investing in young lives is something which you can’t put a value on,” said Kevin Jenkins, Director, Children and Youth Work at Community Links.

UBS has been involved with Community Links since 1999 and is a champion of this particular program.

Philip Pegden, a Director in Operational Risk Control at UBS Investment Bank, became involved in the project when he volunteered to photograph their work for an exhibition at the charity’s annual reception at the House of Lords.

Before starting the series, he spent time with the pupils to become familiar with the program and its participants. “These youngsters may be held back by their personal situation, their background or their environment,” he says, “but they are bright and keen to learn and participate.”

Philip photographed a summer school that is run on a full-time basis for three weeks. Activities include quizzes, games and discussions to educate the students about topics such as health issues and interaction with peers. During the afternoon, the group attends an outside activity such as the cinema, swimming or a visit to the zoo. This approach helps to break down negative attitudes to school and re-engage the children with their education.

“One pupil in particular sticks in my mind,” says Philip. “He was a very shy boy who always worked at the back of the group. But he was actively encouraged by the staff – walking at the front of the group, writing on the board, joining in the roleplaying games – and you could see him gaining confidence all the time.”

In 2004, UBS received a Trustees’ Award from Community Links for our support for their children and youth work. But the best reward is seeing how much vulnerable young people gain from a program like ‘Project Transition’.

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