CIRCLE COLLECTIVE puts purpose into streetwear. They are a charity and social enterprise that transforms the lives of London’s youth by helping them find permanent, life-changing work.

Their Dalston and Lewisham stores stock the latest street-wear brands and local designer collections and are an inspiring training ground for young people.

Through hands on work experience and employability coaching, Circle Collective empower the youth of today, equipping them with the confidence and skills needed to reach their full potential in the workforce.

Every young person who wants a job should be able to get one…and Circle Collective is on a mission to make this happen.

Each piece purchased at one of our stores supports a young person into work and helps to #breakthecircle of unemployment in your community.

CONSEQUENCES

In the UK, there are nearly 800,000 youths either unemployed or uneducated, of which 15% are based in London.

Youth unemployment can lead to many negative socio-economic consequences including poor mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, crime and poverty.

Despite wanting to work, many young people face barriers in finding employment, such as limited or no qualifications, disabilities, history of offending and no work-place experience.

They find themselves trapped in a vicious circle: they don’t have enough experience to get a job, but how can we expect them to develop that experience without having one?

The organisation recognises that young people have a whole lot of enthusiasm, energy and spirit to offer.

SKILLS

Through the ‘Back Your Future’ programme, they harness that energy by equipping them with employable skills, providing 1:1 mentoring sessions and connecting them with future employers. They also gain first-hand work experience in our two streetwear stores in Hackney and Lewisham. We work all year around to provide a young-person centred programme that delivers results.

Circle Collective works closely with corporates, small businesses and recruiters to open doors, create opportunities and make lifelong connections. They passionate about helping our trainees find financial independence – everything we do is with this in mind.

Our impact

Over 70% of Circle Collective trainees secure a job after completing the programme, meaning for every £1 we spend, we generate £6.78 of social value.

The organisation is extremely proud of Circle Collective’s alumni, with over 400 youth now in paid employment – Our goal is make that number 500 by the end of 2020.