OUR MISSion & story
We help them build confidence, develop new skills, and widen their perspectives as well as uncover existing strengths and capacities. We help them find resources and help from each other through forging supportive relationships that realise the potential for positive change that lies within them as individuals, families, and as a community.
Hackney Quest was started by a small team in 1988 to provide positive activities for the community’s young people. A borough which suffers significant deprivation, Hackney has always had a large number of young people in need of positive engagement, to help them to develop skills and reach their potential.
Young people have remained at the core of what we do, but through the years we have broadened our activities in recognition of wider needs in the community. Young people can only flourish when their parents and carers are well-supported, and everyone benefits from living in a strong, unified community. It is with this in mind that we have developed our community services, including parenting and nutrition classes, education support, confidential listening and signposting, and community volunteering. You can find out more about our ongoing programmes here.
Thanks to the long term commitment of our staff, the variety of services that we offer, and the all-through support that we provide, we have a uniquely warm family atmosphere. All our staff, volunteers and beneficiaries are part of a strong, tight-knit, caring community. Read about our people here.
Despite the many changes that Hackney has gone through over the course of Hackney Quest’s extensive history, poverty and deprivation remain major issues: the area surrounding Hackney Quest remains in the 10% most deprived areas of the country. Many other problems, such as crime and educational disadvantage, stem from this. Through all of our programmes and activities, we remain dedicated to helping the young people and families in our community overcome these challenges in order to reach their full potential.
2021
The set up of Hackney South East Food Consortium for emergency response to vulnerable people shielding due to Covid; supported by Hackney council and local organisations.
HQ opened again in April for holiday programmes, evening activities, mentoring and family/education support.
5 day sailing trip for a group of young people with Tallships Youth Trust.
Camping residential and full holiday programme over the summer holidays.
End of summer "Show your Culture" youth-led event.
Launch of NewFuturesHQ: an employability programme for 16-25 year olds.
Continuation of Wick Award Youth projects & research in the Hackney Wick area.
Launch of VRU MyEnds RiseUp East consortium in the Hackney Wick area for 2 years.
2020
Emergency Covid response: we moved all youth activities and support online and set up a food bank in April.
Opened up again for Spring/Summer with restricted activities before having to close and go back online from November 2020 - March 2021.
Received, refurbished and donated over 100 laptops/pads to young people and families in need.
Launched HeadStart Action employability programme in July and took 3 cohorts through training, development, social action and access to work experience/employment.
2019
We partnered with youth construction charity Build Up on the Build Up Hackney project, supporting a team of local young people to design & build a beautiful new public space near our centre
Hackney Quest helps to run the Coldfire Festival at Mile End Park
We ran a number of fantastic mentor/mentee days out, funded by the Headley Trust
We expanded our mentoring work within local Primary & Secondary schools
Our long-time member Jordan Isaacs won the London Youth Young Leader of the Year Award
Our young people attended the play "Terriers" at the Old Bailey, even meeting the cast afterwards!
2018
Hackney Quest's 30th Birthday!
Hackney Wick Through Young Eyes (HWTYE) report published, and launched in Hackney Town Hall.
Hackney Wick Community Cup event on Mabley Green.
Hackney Quest wins "Outstanding Youth Engagement" award at Ministers' Appreciation Ball.
Youth and adult volunteer residential at Hindleap Warren.
Monday music project launched.
HQ young people help to plan and lead StreetLife festivals on Well Street Common.
2017
Hackney Wick Youth Voice project launched.
Hackney Wick Community Cup event on Mabley Green.
Homework club launched in Well Street Kitchen - a local cafe.
Hackney 1000 event on Well Street Common enjoyed by hundreds of local families.
More amazing runners raised money for Hackney Quest by doing the Hackney Half Marathon.
Father2Father mentoring project launched.
Our big Christmas event was attended by over 100 young people, parents and supporters.
Expanded open-access youth provision thanks to Youth Investment Fund funding.
2016
John Paul Clarke creative & bushcraft residential at the Quadrangle Trust.
Cambridge Leadership Residential.
Very successful summer activity programme.
Youth-led presentation evening at the Gherkin.
Bigga Fish event in Stratford, giving young people event planning experience.
Dance residential.
Hackney 5k raised money for Uganites trip and Hackney Half-Marathon raised over £10k for Hackney Quest.
John Paul Clarke performance evening.
Uganites trip to Uganda for Tag Rugby Trust volunteering programme (October).
2015
Creative Residential & Bushcraft Residential at the Quadrangle Trust.
Another very successful Hackney1000 event.
Youth4Youth youth-led evenings at Frampton Park.
Frampton Park Carnival organised by community volunteers.
Christmas & New Year community lunches attended by over 50 local people.
2014
Hannah Curtis (Trustee) completed the London Marathon for Hackney Quest.
11 mad people run the Hackney Half Marathon for Hackney Quest.
Very successful Hackney1000 on 7th June!
2013
Mentoring Programme launched at HQ.
2nd Lions Quest Programme starts.
3rd successful Hackney1000 sports/performance community event.
25th Anniversary Celebration!
2012
Hackney Quest opens up Frampton Park Youth and Family Centre.
HRH Prince Philip visits Hackney Quest.
HQ YP go to Zambia with TAG Rugby Trust and London Youth.
2nd successful Hackney1000 community event.
1st Lions Quest Skills for Adolescence one year programme completed.
2011
2nd Ubuntu Peace Day organised by HEAT.
1st Hackney1000 community sports event takes place.
HEAT wins NCVYS Award for Youth Participation “Change” film made during London riots wins 2 awards (film viewable on our homepage)
2010
Family support project opens 1st Ubuntu Peace Day event organised by HQ attended by 700.
HQ young people meet Desmond Tutu – TWICE!
First Hackney Rugby Team fundraising event for HQ.
2009
YP fundraise and travel to Cape Town, South Africa.
2008
HEAT Youth Participation/Volunteers formed at Hackney Quest.
2006
Permanent KS4 exclusions provision opens.
2005
Young people go to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Daytime KS3/KS4 fixed term exclusions provision opens.
2004
HQ moves bigger building at 1 Poole Road.
1997
Volunteer programme commences to support activities for young people.
1988
HQ starts positive activities for young people, including trips to France and Germany.
