Matthew dropped into local charity Young Barnet Foundation as part of Local Charities Day 2017 to hear about their work in the local community.

Local Charities Day was launched last year by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to help highlight the work of small charities that are making a big difference to their local area.

The Young Barnet Foundation (YBF) is a member driven movement - based in Burnt Oak - for charity and community groups supporting local disadvantaged children and young people (0-25) across the Borough of Barnet. The Foundation invests finance and time in groups and charities' membership organisations to connect them with other stakeholders to increase opportunities and awareness.

Speaking to Janet Matthewson, CEO of Young Barnet Foundation, Matthew heard about the YBF’s achievements since launching last year, such as raising and distributing over £120,000 to 28 local organisations through the Space2Grow fund.

Matthew also met Ashley Levien, Co-Founder and CEO of Suberbos, one of the recipients of the Space2Grow fund and a charity that works closely with the YBF. Suberbos was founded by Ashley to deliver football and other positive activities to assist with the reduction of anti-social behaviour and to educate young people about day to day issues that they face.

Matthew said: “It was great to look in on Young Barnet Foundation on Local Charities Day to hear about all the work they are doing to support local and small charities in the Borough.

“The impact of the local voluntary sector is often overlooked so I welcomed the opportunity to support the work of Young Barnet Foundation and offer any help I can to further their aims.”