Stifford

Stifford Centre

Empower people to lead healthy and prosperous lives

Stifford-Logo
Healthy Activity
Summer Youth Activity
Healthy Activity
Healthy Cooking
Stifford Summer Fair
Summer Youth Activity
Stifford Legal Advice
Stifford Training Room-1
Stifford Training Room-2
Stifford Health Fair

Welcome to the Stifford Centre

Our mission is to provide residents with resources and services empowering them to lead healthier and more prosperous lives.

Stifford Centre was established in 1997 as a charity and community hub in a neighbourhood experiencing some of Britain’s highest levels of deprivation.

We aim to foster change by inspiring residents facing extreme levels of housing overcrowding, child poverty, poor educational attainment, skills deficits, unemployment and benefits dependency with opportunities to opportunities to make positive and informed life changes.

While providing practical services including information, advice and guidance as activities shaped by feedback from local residents to address unemployment by transferring life skills into opportunities for community engagement, celebration, volunteering and employment supporting families in climbing out of poverty, Stifford continues to listen and help consider means of improving local lives.

As deeply-rooted, complex and multiple social disadvantage also contribute towards poverty and health inequality, Stifford has provided health advice, fitness, healthy eating and social activities empowering residents to better look after themselves and their families.

ACCREDITATION

OUR HISTORY

  • 1997

    Birth of Stifford Center

  • 1998

    London Borough of Tower Hamlets allots three derelict shops which are refurbished into a modern community centre.

  • 1999

    Ten year lease secured for Stifford’s premises.

  • 2000

    Launch of and Bengali Mother Tongue classes for 7-11 year-old children leading to improved GCSE achievements.

  • 2001

    Launch of Study Support Project for 7-16 year-olds and Community Engagement activities which engages with 70 isolated women locally.

  • 2002

    Stifford awarded CISCO IT accreditation and launches ICT training support for young people seeking skills for employment.

  • 2003

    Generalist Advice services launched to help disadvantaged local people address housing, education, health and welfare issues.

  • 2004

    European-funded programme supports 223 unemployed young people and adults in achieving 44 AAT accountancy, 72 IT skills and 16 management training supporting them into employment.

  • 2005

    Establishes volunteering and work experience programme to mentor young people seeking employment.

  • 2006

    Pilot project launched with Queen Mary Project supports residents to quit smoking. Stifford awarded Green Mark accreditation. Premises extended to meet growing demand for services.

  • 2007

    Stifford supported by Tower Hamlets’ Public Health to launch a Health Trainers’ programme advising and supporting disadvantaged local residents in improving physical and mental health through diet, nutrition, exercise and advice.

  • 2008

    Stifford is runner-up for Tower Hamlets’ Third Sector Awards.

  • 2009

    ‘Health Champions’

  • 2010

    Stifford awarded Investors in Volunteers (IiV) and Community Legal Services’ (CLS) Specialist Quality Kite Mark accreditation to provide welfare advice.

  • 2011

    Launch of Stepney Green Fair community festival attracting 4,000 visitors annually. programme supports 27 BAME women in accessing employment. Stifford partners with to launch Football Level 1 coach training supporting young men into referrals for further training and employment as coaches, referees and in sports management.

  • 2012

    Stifford Awarded Investors in People (IIP) Accreditation.Stifford engaged in local 2012 Olympic and Backing Britain initiatives promoting. employability advice and work experience placements mentored by Stifford’s Institute of Mentoring certified admin team. Sports, creative and leadership training support 13-16 year-old girls and boys, including SEN participants, in achieving Level 2 Community Sports Leadership Awards.

  • 2013

    Employment training programme launched with Society Links for 75 young people aged 18-25 in IT hardware, employability skills and placements with local hotels, restaurants and businesses. Stifford named ‘Community Champion’ by Channel S television.

  • 2014

    Housing advice project launched with Legal Aid support to help residents in courts of law. Young people facilitate sports activities on weekends as part of Community Sports Leadership volunteering programme.

  • 2015

    Digital literacy drop-in programme launched to help residents address increase in online services, advice and information. Launch of youth leadership, sports and creative activities for young women aged 16-19.

  • 2016

    Women’s Empowerment Programme launched in partnership with Black Women’s Health & Family Support to support disenfranchised women in becoming more active and gaining skills for volunteering and employment.

  • 2017

    Stifford’s Health Trainers have assessed the health needs of over 8,000 residents since 2007. Trinity College Registered Exam Centre

Our Services

TESTIMONIALS

Mrs Bibi – (Age 42) Heath Trainers project

‘Since coming to fitness sessions I am more active and have made friends.

This motivates me to attend more regularly. I feel a lot better, feel positive about my health and know that I can ask my health trainer for support and advice as and when I need it. I really enjoy the group sessions!’

Mr A – (Age 38) Heath Trainers project

‘I am free from cigarettes and now feel better – I also have few extra pounds in my pocket. This wouldn’t have been possible without the advice and support of my Health Trainer. I will definitely promote the service to friends and family…’

Sheikh Omar Hussain Health Champions project

‘Being a Health Champion has helped me become more confident. My communication skills have improved as a result of attending outreach and community events. Training like the the RSPH Level 2 in ‘Understanding Health Improvement’ and First have come in handy for day-to-day life. They’re are skills I will use for life.’