THE FLEX YOUTH & COMMUNITY GROUP
THE FLEX YOUTH & COMMUNITY GROUP CIC
Challenging the Narratives - The Flex Way!
A group that provides spaces for marginalised communities in Basildon and Surrounding areas.
Our group is targeted to tackling areas of need and our projects are tailored to providing a hook for young people and families to access ‘wholesome’ activities whilst receiving mentoring, stability, and family.
Alongside our targeted provisions we are passionate about supporting young people at risk of engaging in antisocial behaviour and violence.
What we stand for
Flex Youth & Community Group creates safe, culturally competent and identity-affirming spaces for young people.
Our work predominantly reaches Black and Brown young people, recognising the barriers they may experience because of race, culture, religion, representation and inequality.
We also recognise that marginalisation does not exist in isolation. Race, culture and socioeconomic disadvantage can intersect, while poverty and deprivation can marginalise young people from any background.
Based within a high-IMD community, we see firsthand how inequality, deprivation and lack of opportunity can impact young people's lives.
Opportunity- Opening doors & building our own table.
Inclusion - Making sure people feel welcome and SEEN.
Unapologetic- Not being scared to take up space
Advocacy- Speak up against injustice.
Cohesion- Show the community the value of integration.
Audacity- Challenging the narrative and redirecting
the outcomes.
Flex does not exclude
We intentionally respond to inequality while bringing young people from different backgrounds together through shared spaces, experiences and opportunities.
The Mission - The Vision
Empowering marginalised people through accessible learning, enrichment, and development opportunities, while advocating for racial justice, equality, and representation in all sectors.
Aims & Objectives:
•Provide learning and development opportunities for young people.
•Offer access to extracurricular activities at little or no cost.
•Provide training and development programs to level the playing field for marginalised individuals.
•Organise trips and enrichment opportunities to broaden perspectives.
•Advocate for racial justice, equality, and equity.
•Educate professionals and the wider community on the importance of cultural competency.
•Promote the need for representation in various sectors.
•Support individuals facing inequalities.
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
Maya Angelou
The Flex Community Group is the only organisation of its kind in the Basildon area - inspiring marginalised communities to embrace their true identity while unleashing their inner potential. Youth-voice is at the centre of organisational design. Our community-led programmes help our service users to shape their own values, while providing them with all the tools, resources and support they need in order to evolve into confident leaders both today and tomorrow. We welcome you to learn more about how we make a difference in the lives of the people we support.
Identifying the need
Founded by Miriam Chalkley in 2022, The Flex Youth & Community Group was established to provide children from ethnically diverse and socially deprived backgrounds an environment in which they can reach their fullest potential. The need was evident from the start as global majority young people were not utilising services at the youth centres. What started off as a small weekly session has grown into an incredible organisation that’s committed to removing barriers and making activities accessible to all.
Since opening its doors in March 2022, Flex has seen over 250 young people walk through its doors and register to youth programmes.
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Meet some of our Flex young people
Get Involved
Young people have so much to offer to the world - we believe in the power that they hold, and know that they will mould future generations to come. At The Flex Youth & Community Group, we are here to give them the support they need in order to shape them into leaders of the future. We have a number of projects and leadership initiatives that help nurture our youth and help them develop the skills they will carry throughout their lives.
Get involved today, and see how you can make an impact!
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