Seventeen initiatives led by young people in Hackney have received financial backing from Young Hackney, a council programme serving individuals aged 6 to 19.

The community ventures, including football coaching sessions for girls and a support group for teenagers with diabetes, will obtain grants spanning £500 to £5,000.

Youth organisations in Hackney may submit funding requests if they satisfy Young Hackney’s conditions, which mandate that the proposed initiative correspond with aims such as preparing young people for future achievement and fostering community unity.

The recipients were revealed last Thursday. Among the successful candidates was the 14th Hackney Scout Group, which will utilise its £500 allocation to provide members with a complimentary film screening depicting the life of the incoming Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields.

John Riddick, Chair of the 14th Hackney Scouts, expressed enthusiasm about the grant, noting that the group constantly faces financial constraints and relies on fundraising efforts. He explained that providing a free event ensures no one is excluded from participating.

The screening will enable members to learn more about their Chief Scout, according to Mr Riddick. The hired cinema venue has reached full capacity and will unite other Scout groups from throughout Hackney.

Dwayne Fields, who assumed the leadership role in the Scouts Association from Bear Grylls in 2024, is originally from Hackney, having been raised in Stoke Newington after his family relocated from Jamaica.

In addition to supporting youth initiatives, Young Hackney operates youth clubs, apprenticeships, and learning opportunities for young people residing in the borough.