www.preset.org

PRESET Charitable Trust (Registered Offices) 2nd Floor 201 High Street Acton London, W3 9DD, United Kingdom, 020 8992 5202, info@preset.org

History of PRESET

http://www.preset.org

18:56 04-Sep-2010


In 1995, a group of like-minded individuals, each with a longstanding track record in community work, were brought together by Captain K Chandran MBE OBE. One goal united the group – a desire to address the disturbing waste of potential of young people, who seemed to be stuck in a destructive cycle of poor housing and health and a lack of support at home and of any positive role models. The negative impact on society was obvious. Young people lacked self-esteem and motivation, were under-performing at school and struggling to find and maintain jobs offering them a decent future. In response, the group set up PRESET Charitable Trust.
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Registered in 1996, becoming operational the following year, PRESET is an education and employment charitable trust, which aims to empower young people through needs focussed training and support, so that they can make informed decisions about their lives and achieve their goals.
 
The charity has grown over the past decade from delivering one London-wide community mentoring project to offering a range of different provisions both across London and in borough-specific interventions.

PRESET was originally formed through a donation from Presentation Housing Association, one of the largest BME RSLs. Since then it has evolved into an organisation whose Board of Trustees has wide experience of the work in which PRESET is involved.

There is wide support for the organisation within the charity sector generally and particularly within the world of housing associations.  PRESET organises an annual fundraising dinner held in London. Over 500 people attend from approximately 42 different organisations, from leading housing associations to local authorities and commercial organisations.  Speakers have included Members of Parliament and leading figures from the ethnic minority communities. 

Since it became operational in 1997, led by Captain Chandran, the Chief Executive and chaired by Lord Herman Ouseley KT, PRESET has become a successful organisation supported by a wide range of donors and partners.  It has grown from 2 members of staff to the present team of 11 full-time and 1 part-time staff.