Leaders of projects aimed at aiding the community’s recovery following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire express satisfaction with their unexpected achievements.
The team at Kids On The Green (KOTG) in North Kensington, west London, describes their establishment as a vital space for youth development, allowing young people to explore their interests and discover new pathways.
Many participants have obtained qualifications in performing arts, while others are moving on to paid internships or further education.
One notable beneficiary is musician and producer Malachi Saunders, 23, who has completed various internships in music studios and television programs as a sound engineer.
Recalling the day of the fire, Mr. Saunders, who was preparing for his GCSEs, said, “I walked to school that morning and saw the fire, then went to class. After that event, I had many unresolved issues, and my music became a form of therapy for me.”
The KOTG facility on Latimer Road hosts a youth club, therapy services, and features its own music and podcast studios, as well as radio and television production spaces.
Additionally, the organization has launched professional training initiatives and offers work experience opportunities.
Zoe Levack, the founder of KOTG, emphasized that their group operates differently from traditional youth clubs, serving as a safe haven for young people to simply be themselves.
She noted, “Many of these youths arrive with significant personal challenges; several who have graduated faced exclusion or are currently at risk of being excluded from mainstream education. Contrary to the belief that they’re unteachable, we have seen their potential.”
Mr. Saunders reflected on his journey, stating that gaining experience was difficult before joining KOTG, but now “access is much easier.”
He affirmed, “I truly believe the only way is up, considering how far I’ve come. The more I pursue my passion, the more opportunities align. The best is still ahead; this is just the beginning.”
Another initiative that emerged in response to the fire is the North Kensington Community Kitchen, led by Melanie Juno Wolfe.
Supported by charities like the Felix Project and City Harvest London, the organization distributes fresh and canned food with short shelf lives throughout North Kensington.
Ms. Wolfe explained that while the kitchen began as a community effort during the pandemic for families of children with special needs or those facing exclusion, it has expanded considerably since then.
“You can have an idea, but without everyone’s contributions, it’s hard to achieve real progress,” she remarked. “Grenfell revealed that there is a role for everyone, and each person can contribute to making a change.”
She added that in recent years, “the underlying issues of inequality and social justice in certain areas became starkly visible. We were inundated with individuals feeling adrift, and we managed to offer support and foster a sense of community for them.”
In parallel, at the children’s community soccer club Kensington Dragons, which provides free and accessible sports, organizers have noted a rise in participation since the fire. The club now boasts 20 teams ranging from nine-year-olds to young adults.
Coach Magnus McDowall stated, “Our goal is to offer support during evenings and weekends, particularly in ways that traditional services often cannot. It’s vital to enhance young people’s mental, emotional, and physical health while bringing the community together through free football, ultimately expanding life opportunities for the children.”
