BNP Paribas Securities Services UK have been working with local charity, Hackney Quest, over the last year on a number of different activities. Recently, ten volunteers from the London office helped out with their ‘refresh project’ to brighten and repaint their local centre during the Easter Holidays.

This gave BNP Paribas employees the opportunity to work with individuals from across the organisation, whilst putting something back into the local community and learning about the fantastic work that Hackney Quest does.

The local centre at Hackney Quest was in great need of a refurbishment and the charity was extremely grateful of the help. Collette Allen, the Project Director at Hackney Quest expressed her thanks to all the volunteers and said “The building looks fantastic, clean and fresh and the staff and young people were delighted when they came back for the new term.” To finish off the “new look” BNP Paribas also donated some sofas and chairs for the centre which were gratefully received.

The day was also thoroughly enjoyed by the BNP Paribas employee volunteers who gave up their time to help out. Here’s some of their comments:

“What a rewarding experience! We really felt like we made a huge difference to the quality of the environment at Hackney Quest… At the same time, it offered us the opportunity to work together as a team whilst giving our time and commitment to this great charity.”

“It was thoroughly enjoyable, especially with the group, sunshine, food, young people, teachers, and very colourful graffiti.”

“I thought the programmes run by Hackney Quest appear very worthwhile and I got a great sense of community from the staff and the young people that we met.”

Hackney Quest has been working with young people aged 9-18, living in Hackney, who are potentially at risk through social, economic and educational disadvantage, since 1988. Hackney is one of the poorest areas of London in close proximity to the BNP Paribas offices in the City of London.

The main aim of the charity is to provide stimulating and educational activities that encourage young people to find support systems, make new friends and have a sense of social responsibility. The long-term aim is to divert young people and keep them happily occupied and off the streets before they find themselves involved in street crime and anti-social activities.

Visit the Hackney Quest website here to find out more: http://www.hackneyquest.org.uk/