Our Experience

CARAMEL ROCK is a dynamic youth-focused charity supporting fashion and creative community in Newham that uses the engaging mediums of fashion and creative arts to improve education, employment and social inclusion opportunities for disadvantaged young people living within the London Borough of Newham and neighbouring areas. Formed as a Charity (registration number 1137133) our creative projects look to provide pathways back into education, employment or training for NEET (not in employment, education or training) young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who are disengaged from formal learning environments. We work with over 250 young people each year.

There is a massive fashion and creative arts community in east London with diverse needs and aspirations that they seek specifically in Newham. We specifically use fashion as a means to engage because of the interest it holds for so many young people, as well as the significant and relevant opportunities it holds for empowerment, employment in the London retail sector. Our aim is to disrupt sustainable training and work opportunities within such a creative and vibrant sector such as fashion

Below are a few examples but our work goes far beyond with an extensive track record.

On the making creativity work SFA funded programme for 2 years we ran NVQ and Btec as well as non accredited training supporting people into fashion and creative jobs.

We ran a level 1 and 2 fashion study program qualification contracted by Newham College funded by SFA. The contract allowed us to e run a project for young adults aged 16-24 as well as young people between those ages that were not employed or in training. We delivered a fashion diploma level 1 and 2 as well as delivering on the apprenticeship levy. We also ran a functional skills maths and English level 1 and 2 qualifications contracted by Newham College for those employed in order to develop their work skills on the skills for work contract funded by ESF.

We ran a 8 week sewing project for 3 years for those aged 18+ in order to develop their skills around sewing in order to develop life skills in creating pillowcases and curtains as well as learning how to alter and take in their own clothing.

In partnership with London borough of Newham we worked with the local authority on a two-year contract, which is currently being extended. Skills Jam offers young people a wide range of course including: Mechanical Engineering, Fashion, Hair & Beauty, Sports Couching, Vehicle Maintenance, Cookery, Street & Contemporary Dance, Music, Radio & TV, Film and Construction. They are also heavily engaged and involved in assisting young people on progression routes in their desired career path either through apprenticeships, training or employment and work experience. We delivered through this partnership BTEC Diploma level 1 and 2 to young people referred to us that were not in education, employment or training. (NEETS).

We provided our alternative provision to engage and involve students on a level 1 fashion qualification. The programme helped the students understand the different roles and departments within the fashion industry and helped address preconceived assumptions about the fashion industry.

We worked with Royal Docks to provide creative arts and crafts workshops and provided the disability department students with a day workshop that were tailored to their interests and specific needs.

We worked with Grange Primary and engaged with the students to do an arts and crafts programme for the period of 8 weeks for their challenging children. It was a great way for the students to channel their energy and express their creativity