The Princess Praises "Really Precious" Charity Streets of Growth

The Princess of Wales was in Aldgate, London today to see the work of an incredible organisation first-hand.

Street of Growth is a not-for-profit youth intervention charity in East London which is working to transform the lives of young people at risk of becoming trapped in a cycle of isolation, exploitation, violence and criminality.

The charity specialises in targeted outreach and intervention to re-engage young people aged 15-25, taking an approach that balances organisation-led and community-led engagement.

In the past twenty years, Streets of Growth has transformed the lives of over 5,000 young people.

The organisation was established in 2001, inspired by a research visit to see the work of Roca in Boston, which the Prince and Princess of Wales visited during their time in the city in December 2022, as part of a wider schedule of engagements in conjunction with the Earthshot awards.

Kensington Palace said: "Like Roca, Streets of Growth uses approaches that tackle harm and create systems change using neuroscience and cognitive skills to better equip practitioners, young people and their families to break negative behavioural patterns and consequently play a central role in building thriving communities. Key to this is nurturing honest partnerships, including with police and youth offending teams, social services, schools and colleges, and housing associations in the approach."

Hello! reports:

'During the engagement, Kate was welcomed by Streets of Growth founder Darren Way, as well as eight frontline staff, some of whom were once young clients of the charity themselves before turning their lives around. 

Kate admired the large space and "places where everyone can come together to be creative – it's really precious," she said.

"Young people get judged on their external behaviour but you have to understand their backstory," she told staff. "They haven't probably seen trusting relationships in their lives so that's so important."'

Kate joined in a podcast where young people were discussing body image and mental health. The Princess praised the charity's "precious work".

A spokesperson added: "Streets of Growth’s Appropriate Intervention Bridging Model looks at lifestyle, environment, education and careers. Frontline staff engage vulnerable young people who have experienced harm and trauma through a tailored pathway of specialised intervention coaching, skills development, social action and work experience across a wide range of sectors."

The Princess met frontline staff to hear about the approach that Streets of Growth takes to identify, support and coach young people at risk. Many of the organisation’s staff were once young clients who have transformed their own lives and are now supporting other young people to transform theirs, so the impact of mentorship is another valued bonus.

Kate spent time with representatives from Unite Students, who have provided the new space for Streets of Growth at their flagship student accommodation building in East London, helping to increase the capacity of the organisation to work in this area.

The Princess met Ray Donovan actor Eddie Marsden, a patron of the charity, during the visit.  The talented star told the Princess he supports the charity as he "wants to give something back": "The problem is that so many young people don't have access to services like this; we need to scale it up, up and down the country." According to Hello!, Kate told Eddie, "It is possible it does make a difference."

More from the Evening Standard:

'The princess said an effort must be made to understand the people as individuals, before adding: “I love the fact that you’re going out into communities.”

Kate then met two sets of mothers and daughters to speak about the support they have received, and how she thought the charity offered “something that young people are craving”.

The families also showed her jewellery and footwear designs made possible by Streets of Growth’s creative workshops, which the princess described as “really beautiful” and “so creative”.'

The Princess opted for a camel trouser suit today by Roland Mouret. We've discussed on the blog how they've become a staple in Kate's wardrobe especially over the past year.

It appears Kate is wearing her Kiki McDonough cushion drop earrings again today.

Several of you have been in touch regarding a Camilla Tominey article in the Telegraph claiming Kate "is not expected" to join William in Singapore for Earthshot. I've asked around about this, and at present there doesn't appear to be clarity (though over the summer, two other royal reporters said Kate will be there). As the Waleses don't have a Commonwealth tour on the agenda this year, I understood we would see several days in Singapore, with Earthshot the centrepiece of the visit. Kate has been an important part of the previous two ceremonies, so I find it difficult to imagine she won't be present this year. I'll keep you all updated. After all that fantastic styling over the summer, we do need to see what the Princess actually chooses for the event :)