The London Borough of Greenwich is one of 13 London boroughs that is ranked in the top 50 local
authorities for deprivation. It has the fastest growing rate of teenage pregnancy in London. The
communities we serve are in the worst 5% for deprivation and violent crime is the most common
type of crime, and 40% of people have no qualifications. Our work is both preventative and
transformational, working with carers, toddlers, children and young people, with a specialism in
working with young offenders and drug gangs in particular.
Superkidz is a Christian foundation who’s staff and beneficiaries comprise people of all faiths and none based in the London Borough of Greenwich which serves and employs people from deprived communities.
Our workforce has lived experience and first-hand knowledge of the issues on deprived estates. For example a number have overcome severe Adverse Childhood Experiences, drug gang membership, debt, domestic violence and drug addiction.
We have a core value of persevering loving care and unconditional positive regard, proven as a
means to overcoming psychological scars and side effects like low self-esteem, learned helplessness
and anxiety and depression. Young people who have experienced cruelty and neglect tend to view
the world through a distorting lens that sees people as hostile and themselves in a distorting mirror
that makes them feel worthless, useless and without hope. Our approach is proven to change both
of these perceptions.
We specialize in work with young offenders, those who struggle with drugs and young people who
have been victims of Adverse Childhood Experiences and who are vulnerable to being victims of
recruitment into drug gangs or are already trapped in drug delivery work. We also address sexual
responsibility with them.
Vulnerable girls are an important focus. Helping them is also a way of preventing them from
becoming victims of sexual exploitation, unplanned pregnancy and toxic relationships that affect the
next generation.
Sadly, we are also having to address a significant rise in young people between the ages of 16 and 25
experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
Led by members of our local deprived communities, we have developed a management model that
enables disadvantaged adults and young people to see their own potential, and become paid leaders
and workers who shape Superkidz as an organisation, and who transform their own communities
from within.
We have used our training and experience to develop a model that enables us to work with the most
damaged children and young people and to train other organisations in our methods. This model
tackles low self-esteem, aspirational deficits and psychological issues that lead to low performance
at school and relational and behavioural problems. Our mentoring promotes long term engagement
with education, training and employment. It teaches children and young people to relate
successfully within wider society. The model works for both crisis prevention and intervention and is
enabling those we work with to act as positive role models within their community.
