As a former chief executive of an inner city housing association for 8 years it became clear to me that in the midst of an increasing concentration of poverty and growing welfare dependency, there was a glaring lack of educational support for tenants. This was not being addressed by the housing association movement at that time.

It was out of the need to address education and employment issues among young tenants in particular that PRESET was set up in 1996.

From its humble beginnings in my living room with one other member of staff PRESET developed its Community Mentoring Scheme and Leadership Programme.

Since becoming operational in 1997 PRESET has come a long way in its aims to make a real difference to the lives of many young people facing barriers in life. We do not have a monopoly solution to the challenges facing our young people today. There is no 'one size fits all' model of social engagement. We are adapting and developing our approach for every new situation and we continue to learn by sharing our experiences and working in partnership with others

The Community Mentoring Scheme has grown to incorporate 8 projects in 5 London boroughs plus Slough and Southampton.

PRESET has further developed our mentoring expertise to run Employable Communities, which addresses the skills shortages and unemployment levels in areas of particular deprivation. We run two Employable Communities Programmes.

In addition, PRESET is running Back on Track - a mentoring programme funded by The Youth Justice Board for three years to provide 1-2-1 support and guidance for young offenders and young people at risk of offending plus basic skills support in literacy, numeracy and ESOL. We are running two Back on Track projects in Ealing and Islington.

PRESET's Leadership Programme is also developing to help young people and those who are in employment. Participants receive customised training to enhance their leadership potential, helping to improve career prospects.

In 2000 PRESET started a dedicate outreach programme in Haringey with The Connect Project which targets young people who have fallen through the gaps in local provision and supports them into accessing opportunities to get them back into the mainstream.

PRESET cannot right every wrong. But it can act as a beacon and point the way for those with the passion to succeed.. We tell our young people to expect the best for themselves. We set no lesser standards for our own enterprise.






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