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The Bank of Things is a project developed for young people by young people. The Young Mayor of Lewisham and Young advisors teams came up with the idea after witnissing first hand how a lack of access to certain daily essenails was preventing young people from engaing fully in their day to day lives.
This service aims to address this by offering everyday essentials such as toiletries and school supplies to young people enabling them to fully participate in their day to day lives and reach their full potential.
Sadly 1 in 5 of the UK population live below the poverty line. In London this is even worse, we have the highest rate of child poverty of any English region, and this is even higher in Lewisham.
Through careful consulation with young people accross the borough we developed a Menu of much needed items including sanitary products, toiletires and school supplies. Thanks to kind and generous danoations from local schools and individuals we can now start supporting those in need.
However demand is high and we need your support through donations to help keep the service running, to ensure we ahve the most needed items availbale and to ensure no young person is turned away.
Our shop in Lewisham shopping centre, Unit 19, is open to young people from 4 to 7pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. We run a 'no questions asked' system so you can simply come along, fill out a form and we will do the rest.
Tell your friends
Matthew
Such a great idea, helping out with everyday items a lot of us take for granted and get overlooked for people that don't have the money to buy them.
Pennie
Great service for our youngsters!
Jessica Ormerod
Quilt fundraiser
Bhavil
Congrats on the race Mark!
Anonymous
Giving back to local community
Skylar Press
Congrats Mark on completing the TRX!
Anonymous
Well done on the race Mark
James
Great cycle from Mark, amazing cause
Stephanie
Donating to this great cause inspired by Mark Kowalski's epic TCR bike ride
Danielle K.
Saw the donation box at Laurence House and read about the scheme online. Amazing that this kind of help is there for young people and I wanted to contribute.
Rebecca
I want to support young people in my borough. These items are the very least young people should be able to expect from life - the government doesn't help, so we have to build the community we want to see.
Anonymous
This is such a worthwhile campaign, I read about the work on Lewisham Council newsletter. Young people need all the support they can get.
Anonymous
I saw the article in this week's Council newsletter and am not able to go to donate items so have given money. It is a good cause. Well done on continuing with this service.
Margot
Wishing all young people well.
Richard
One of my favourite things of lockdown seeing you do this. Top effort!
Boris
Keep doing good things Mark! Was nice to meet you!
Anonymous
Mark Kowalski London Lockdown 2024 ride
Oliv
COVID ride!!!
Anonymous
Covid Ride
Anonymous
Mark Kowalski Lockdown Ride 2024
Anonymous
COVID ride entry.
Ailsa
Lockdown Ride
James
Mark's overnight cycle tour
Anonymous
Charity bike ride
Howard
London lockdown ride 2024
Caroline
London Lockdown Ride 2024
Anonymous
As 'entry' for Mark Kowalski's London Lockdown Ride event
Anonymous
I live locally and want to help a little
Anonymous
My brother-in-law express interest in helping young people in Lewisham and I'm making a donation on behalf of him.
Anonymous
From all of us here at ARC UK.
Sian
Thank you for being there for our young people when they need practical support they can’t get from home. Such important work in our broken society - and I’m so glad to be able to support you.
Caroline
I hope someone has a happier Christmas because of you
Anonymous
Best wishes for the great work you do.
Faith
I found £10 on the street yesterday, I felt guilty as I could not find anyone around who may have lost it, So, I thought I would look for a good cause to donate it to.
I have added my own £10.
My youngest son is now nearly 21, I remember having to budget very carefully when he was in school, I used to dread September coming because it meant new shoes among other things.
So great to be able to support in some small way.
Anonymous
I’m lucky to be able to help support other families in the community who are feeling the pinch.
Anonymous
I hated every second of being at school, and so anything I can do to make someone else have a less bad time there I want to do
Anonymous
Only the very best for the new year!
Anonymous
All the best for the school year.
Anonymous
Just a little to help, wish all the young people achieve their ambitions!
Anonymous
I think it is important children are all treated the same.
Anonymous
Sad reflection that such a scheme is necessary.
Anonymous
Great cause stepping up to help young people.
Anonymous
I met Hannah who told me about it
Anonymous
Good work being done here
Mark
London Lockdown 160 audax organiser here - a 160km loop cycling around London in the shape of a giant coronavirus and vaccine taking place 10pm 3 March 2023 from Victoria Station car park. I'm asking all entrants to donate to LBoT :)
Alan Parkinson
London Lockdown 160
Derek
Lockdown 160
Alfapete
Donated as a result of the London Lockdown bike ride -
Anonymous
via London Lockdown audax event
Anonymous
I hope you all do well in your studies, and grow up to be leaders that change this country for the better
Anonymous
To buy face wash as I can’t get to donate in person x
Anonymous
I hate the thought of young people and their parents worrying about having the essentials for going back to school. Wishing pupils and students every success in their studies this year.
Anonymous
Rona Dixon held a Garden party and raised £150. On top of the £65 she arranged for here church to donate.
Anonymous
Donation was made by Rona Dixon form St Andrews Church in Catford
Anonymous
A really great project created by young people to support other young people who are experiencing hardship.
Julia Gemie
I’m delighted to be able to help young people in my Borough
Anonymous
I think it’s important to support the leadership, generosity and commitment of the young people who orchestrated this project.
As someone who works with children & young people I want to add that I admire this proactive & empowered approach to addressing some of the challenges faced by young people.
I truly hope that all involved are regularly celebrated for the impact they have/had on the community.
Peter
MArk Kowalski's bike ride on 25/03 - 100 miles around London
Anonymous
I will preface this by saying that the kids absolutely should not have to do this (there are elected officials whose very job includes things like this in the remit). Nevertheless, this is so kind and wholesome. Well done to all of them.
Anonymous
Saw this initiative on a news broadcast this week, was moved by what these young people are doing. Like many have said, what a sorry state this country is, that this charity needs to exist.
Anonymous
I saw the slot about your charity on TV and wanted to support you . I grew up in a very poor household and I had exactly the same problems as the teenagers in the program and think at you are doing t is a great idea.
Anonymous
Great idea, keep up the good work.
Anonymous
I know how these young people feel, I think it's a great idea
Anonymous
Shameful this has to exist but a point of pride that young people have taken this on. I hope they can be an example of the compassion we need in this country.
x Natalie x
Lewisham is where I was born and very proud of. I admire the good within the community the positive vibes. Also think zero hours contract should be scrapped it’s an insult. Lewisham sparks joy and to be honest it’s a honour to donate to such a great cause. Things will get better history in the making….Thank you x
Rachel
Kids showing us adults how to behave
Anonymous
It's a shame this type of project needs to exist but I'm so proud to live in this part of SE London where young people take the initiative and support each other
Anonymous
Great campaign, great idea. Happy to donate to a local cause
Mary
I am so impressed by young people initiating this project, but it breaks my heart they thy need to.
Anonymous
Sad that this has to exist but very proud that it does.
Anonymous
Just seen your news report on twitter and it seems like a great piece of work led by young people and for young people! Shame it’s needed but keep going!
Anonymous
This is a fantastic initiative. Well done to all the young people involved. You make me proud to be from this little corner of SE London ❤️
Anonymous
You’re doing a wonderful job, thank you.
Anonymous
Amazing job ! Makes me proud of Lewisham
Anonymous
Really amazed by the work you're doing, much needed. Well done
Anonymous
Amazing work for the youths of London!
Anonymous
Brilliant idea!
Anonymous
I'm a Lewisham resident and think this is a fantastic idea
Anonymous
Saw it on the London itv news
Anonymous
I saw the piece on ITV News. I want to give money to the people who know exactly how to use it to help young people. The work you are doing is amazing.