The Lord Mayor of London opens Renaissance Foundation’s City Youth Hub
Renaissance Foundation celebrated our official Hub opening with a special guest: the Rt Hon. Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli.
On Tuesday 15th October 2024 in the heart of the City of London, Renaissance Foundation’s Youth Hub filled up with guests invited to celebrate the official opening of our Youth Hub. Those who joined us for the evening included charity volunteers, supporters, trustees, alumni and some of the young people we support. The evening was not only the official opening of our City Youth Hub; the event also marked the one-year anniversary of the charity being in the new space.
As guests arrived, they were treated to drinks, nibbles and tours of our fascinating space. In the workshop room, guests marvelled as artist Carlos Peñalver added a new location to our young people’s mural: Mansion House.
Carlos first created the mural, with the help of some of our young people, when we moved into the Youth Hub. Supported by Artiq, the mural tells the story of our young people’s experiences on Renaissance Foundation’s programme. Carlos' latest addition, Mansion House, was drawn live during the Official Opening event to celebrate the Youth Hub being opened by the Lord Mayor of London.
As the audience gathered for speeches, our Programme Manager, Corey, addressed the crowd, offering a warm welcome and expressing his excitement for the Youth Hub’s official opening. “I’ve been with Renaissance Foundation since 2011,” Corey said. “When I started as a volunteer, we didn't have [a] youth hub. It’s been a long journey. Today, having this permanent physical space has removed many barriers.”
Corey explained that, during lockdown, many young people missed out on opportunities to grow and develop, saying, “This Hub is our way of making up for lost time, giving [young people] a safe and inspiring place to be together, make friends [and] have amazing in-person, real life experiences... This Hub will be used for our sessions, from art workshops to [setting] future career goals. We’re so grateful to everyone for being here and being part of making the Hub possible.”
Next to the podium was Sat, the founder and CEO of Renaissance Foundation. Sat offered his heartfelt thanks to those who had joined us for the evening and reflected on the journey taken to open the Hub, highlighting the way that the City Youth Hub’s central location provides easy access to young carers and young people with chronic health conditions from across Greater London. By enabling young people to visit the City of London, Renaissance Foundation are helping break down postcode barriers and empowering young people to expand their horizons.
Sat expressed his gratitude to all the supporters who made our Youth Hub a reality, saying, “There’s an African proverb that says, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and today, I see our London village here... Volunteers, donors, trustees, and companies who provide work experiences and host visits: a big thank you for helping us in our journey to give these experiences to the young people.”
After sharing details of our multi-year inspirational programme, Sat announced the charity’s upcoming plans, including our annual Nobel Peace Prize Youth Exchange trip to Oslo. During the trip, young people attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, giving them the chance to reflect on global issues and consider how they can contribute to positive change whilst developing essential life skills.
A highlight of the Youth Hub’s official opening was hearing directly from some of the young people who have been part of Renaissance Foundation. Sat invited these young leaders to the stage to share their personal experiences and what Renaissance Foundation and the new Youth Hub means to them.
K, 17, said, “This Hub is really, really nice. Having a permanent home has relieved a lot of pressure.” She continued, “Renaissance Foundation has had a huge impact on me. There were times when I was younger where I felt I couldn't do certain things, or I didn't have any opportunities. Renaissance Foundation has opened so many doors for me and showed me that I could achieve so much. They’ve supported me, and I’ve improved many things in myself.”
M, 20, reflected on her journey with Renaissance Foundation, which began at the age of 12. “If you’d told me I’d be speaking like this in front of everyone, I wouldn’t have believed you,” she said. “Renaissance Foundation has helped me step out of my comfort zone.” M also shared how inspired she felt after meeting Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and traveling to Oslo; “I never thought adults would care what young people like me have to say, but I’m doing this speech right now!”
O, 20, echoed the sentiment. “Being with Renaissance Foundation since I was 15 [has] helped me develop my social skills and confidence. We always do things that push us out of our comfort zone,” she said. “Meeting adults who genuinely care about what I want to say as a young person really pushed those skills that I need. Having this Hub feels like having a cool home. It’s a space where I can study and achieve what I want to with people who support me - it's amazing!”
The evening concluded with an inspiring speech from our guest of honour, the Rt Hon. Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli, who praised the impactful work of Renaissance Foundation and noted the importance of having a physical space where the charity can continue supporting young people. “It may be small, but Renaissance Foundation - like our tiny little City of London - really does punch well above its weight,” he said. “Our sincere thanks from the City to everyone who has made the move to this unique and wonderful home [possible].”
The Lord Mayor reflected on the importance of community and working together to keep Renaissance Foundation’s work alive, saying “Every charity needs continual support - and [Renaissance Foundation] is no exception. I hope that all of you have given your support, [and] I know that you'll bring in friends and family who will make this wonderful organisation go even further.”
“We can attempt to quantify the impact... we need the numbers and charts, but what
[Renaissance Foundation] really gives to [its] young people is invaluable: confidence, belief, friendship and most of all, ambition,” the Lord Mayor concluded. “So, on behalf of the entire City of London Corporation, let me say how proud we are to have [Renaissance Foundation] here in our city. Long may it continue!”
With the speeches ended, guests watched and applauded as the Lord Mayor of London unveiled a plaque commemorating the Hub's official opening. The evening continued with much merriment and conversation, with drinks flowing and friends of the charity mingling in our new home.
To echo Sat’s words of gratitude, Renaissance Foundation want to say a huge thank you to all our friends, volunteers, and donors for celebrating our achievements and sharing the evening with us.