Trim the Gap -Scaling Youth Empowerment through Barbering
From "People Powered Custom House & Canning Town"
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Proposed budget
Description
Trim the Gap is the latest evolution of a grassroots movement led by King Ogunremi, a committed resident of Newham and founder of Barb N Engage Community Hub CIC. This initiative aims to provide meaningful training, mentorship, and employment for local young people through the barbering trade while actively steering them away from street crime and social exclusion.
The journey began in 2023, when King Ogunremi received a £5,000 grant from the People Power Places and Royal Docks Team to launch The Barber Connect Project. This successful pilot engaged at-risk youth in Canning Town and Custom House, equipping them with barbering skills, life guidance, and mentorship from professionals. Following its success, a second £5,000 grant from the same funders was awarded in 2024, enabling the creation and expansion of the Barb N Engage initiative.
In response to the overwhelming impact and demand, King Ogunremi formally registered Barb N Engage as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2024 to give the project structure, visibility, and scalability. Now, he is poised to expand this proven model by setting up a permanent professional barbering hub in Newham. To scale this initiative, Barb N Engage CIC is proposing a £20,000 grant that will be used to: Establish a fully equipped barbering training hub deliver free vocational training to young people in Newham.
Provide guaranteed employment opportunities through a network of local barbershops. Offer ongoing mentorship and structured activities to reduce youth involvement in crime.
Under the name “Trim the Gap: Empowering Youth Through Barbering”, this next phase builds directly on the success of the past two years. The project aims to close the gap between potential and opportunity by giving young people real-world skills, a sense of purpose, and a clear path into employment.
Supported from its inception by People Power Places and the Royal Docks Team, Trim the Gap is ready to grow into a long-term solution to youth disconnection in Newham. Cutting not just hair, but cycles of poverty, exclusion, and crime.