Grant awarded: £30,000 a year for 3 years 2022-2025 - unrestricted; Cost of Living uplift grant for Year 2: £2,370; £20,000 for 2025-2026 - unrestricted
CEF Lyncx is a youth charity in Lambeth led by its founder, Christian Johnson, with a new base at the GreenHut, next to Brixton Windmill. CEF Lyncx offers 1:1 virtual tutoring for Maths, English and Science alongside an extensive programme of in-person holiday activities and work experience, working with hundreds of young people each year from the local community in a safe, trusted and inclusive environment. Young people with Special Educational Needs are welcomed and activities planned around their needs. 90% of sessional staff are young people, including many former service users, and they play an active role in helping design CEF Lyncx’s programmes. Some young people gain qualifications during this time including in Health & Safety at Work and Food & Hygiene, and CEF Lyncx gives them the opportunity to meet employers who are recruiting including the Police and local schools.
The GreenHut has been transformed by CEF Lyncx over the last couple of years by a team of staff, local partners and volunteers creating a new kitchen, better indoor space, a secret garden, gallery and putting up gazebos that all improve the quality of in-person activities, including being able to offer homemade hot food – and solar panels have been installed, reducing energy costs. Staff, parents and carers regularly share stories about the difference CEF Lyncx is making to young people and their families, and the centre is regularly visited by local and London-wide leaders including Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.