About Harrow Club
Our vision is a society where all children and young people, regardless of background, can grow and fulfil their potential in a safe and supportive community.
Our Mission
Since 1883, the Harrow Club has been anchored in the local community working with some of the most marginalised young people in West London to provide accessible and high-quality opportunities, enabling them to maximise their life chances and to enhance their personal development. We are not afraid to work at the most challenging fringes of our community in order to make the greatest impact.
Through creative, cutting-edge projects delivered by an experienced, committed team, we provide learning opportunities, routes to employment and critically increased resilience and well-being for young people aged 8 to 21.
Our History
The Harrow Club was formed in 1883 as The Harrow Mission Church, both funded and designed by old Harrovians from Harrow School. First Missioner William Law recognised the need for provision in the impoverished Notting Dale area and set up the mission with the desire to improve the quality of life for local people, aiding harmony and promoting opportunity.
Since 1883, the Harrow Club has been anchored in the local community, working with young people to address needs related to disadvantage and poverty. Roughly a decade ago, the Harrow Club acquired three satellite clubs in White City, Sands End and Old Oak.
On top of a range of issues that are affecting disadvantaged young people in the local community, many of our young people have also suffered greatly from the impact of the Grenfell Fire tragedy. The Harrow Club lost four of its young people to the fire. Preliminary research conducted for LB RBKC in July 2018 (A Journey to Recovery) has already identified high levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder facing people of all ages who live locally and there will be many longer term consequences that will affect the mental health of individuals and the social fabric of the community for years to come. The Harrow Club aims to support our young people to overcome the impact of this tragedy.
Since its inception, the Harrow Club has served thousands of children and young people. Today, we work with roughly 350-400 children and young people every week across all four clubs.
Working with children and families in need…
We have over 1,000 members with our clubs based in areas of London in the bottom 20% of the most deprived communities in the country.
• 95% are eligible for free school meals
• 80% come from ethnic minority backgrounds
• 65% come from single parent households
• Over 25% have a diagnosed learning disability, or a behavioural or mental health condition
In light of cuts to local authority youth services, we need support and funding more than ever before to ensure we continue to support the most vulnerable sectors of our community. Investing in young people, with time or money, is an investment in the future.
Recovering from the Coronavirus pandemic will be especially challenging for the families we work with who were already suffering a range of challenges and deprivation before the crisis.
Working Together
We believe in working in partnership with other organisations committed to the same values as us, pooling our resources, ideas and enthusiasm. Together we can continue with our commitment to improving youth provision in the local area.
We would not have been able to achieve the success that we have without the support of our funders and partners, ranging from local authorities to private companies and individuals, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing help and commitment to the Harrow Club.
