NVSC

Kevin co-founded Community Links in 1977 whilst still at school and grew the Children and Youth Programme from four projects that helped 150 children and young people to a £5million budget supporting 3,000 individuals aged 2-24 years every week.

In addition to his work with Community Links, Kevin has also played an instrumental role in the Newham community,
influencing local council strategy on early years, play and youth; set up and supported emerging youth agencies; and fundraised for local schools.

Kevin’s work in Newham is based on a strong belief that investing in our children and young people should be at the very heart of any drive to regenerate an area and build cohesion and inclusion in a community.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, Kevin said: “I am so pleased to receive this award. I hope it sends a message that our nation’s children and young people deserve the very best start in life. They need our help to develop and learn, and we should also remember the great contribution they can make to their communities through initiatives such as volunteering if they are only given opportunity and encouragement.”

NVSC would like to add its congratulations to Kevin – and would hope that it would inspire many community organisations. Community Links may well be the largest organization in this borough now, but it started over 30 years ago as an unfunded community group.