51% of young people growing up in inner-London do so in poverty and, as such, are more likely to underachieve at school and less likely to visit places outside their local environment (Connexions 2006).

We subsidise groups from member youth clubs, typically from disadvantaged areas, who from September will pay only 50% of the true cost of a visit. Such an opportunity is vital when seen in the context of the inequality of opportunity for residential trips in school - the greater the level of disadvantage, the less provision (Power et al 2009). The contrast between the built environment of inner-London and space of Woodrow High House is marked.

For our school visitors, Woodrow provides the profound opportunity to discover that although a child may not shine in the classroom or on the sports field, in a different setting they are able to show their true underlying potential, sometimes for the first time ever in their lives.

Woodrow High House is also well used by London Youth’s own specialist teams. Over the last 12 months, for example our Sports Development team have run a handball residential using Woodrow’s Sports Centre. By the end of the weekend participants had gained both a recognised sports coaching qualification and a Level One Introduction to Youth Work qualification. In a little over 48 hours they got an opportunity to try out a new sport and to improve their chances of accessing employment.

This January, with a similar focus on employability, our Youth Action team ran a programme to train young people as young trainers so they could deliver work for London Youth and have a better chance of accessing work elsewhere.

It is an ideal space for the residential components of training for the next generation on youth and community leaders. For aspiring leaders and developing youth workers, Woodrow offers a powerful place for reflection and learning – to the future benefit of thousands of young people who will come under their care.

Woodrow is also home to Activenture, our pioneering disability initiative, providing week-long residential adventures for young people with disabilities; respite care for parents and, crucially, siblings; and powerful volunteering opportunities for same-aged volunteers who accompany our disabled guests.