The London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation have donated £5,000 to support East London based charity, It’s Your Life to improve life chances of children, young people and adults through three innovative and proven programmes delivered by inspirational mentors.

One Programme, It’s Your Community Project engages with women from BAMER backgrounds who are taught to sew and practice their English skills, and to gain a certificate in citizenship and local democracy. One woman said that It’s Your Life has “helped show us how we can encourage our children to learn and to do something in the future – we want to show them they can learn anything”. Another programme,  It’s Your Future gives young people the social and emotional skills that promote engagement with learning, prevent exclusion and reverse poor attainment at school. One boy said “It’s Your Life has completely changed my confidence and I wish I could have stayed longer”.

Frankie Taylor from the charity told us; “We are really grateful for the support of London Masons and the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is helping us to support some of the most marginalised and vulnerable families and young people”.

Tony Shields, Metropolitan Grand Lodge Charity Steward commented “Our Members are delighted to support this very worthwhile charity as it provides opportunities for those who are vulnerable and marginalised to gain the skills they need to lift themselves out of poverty and disadvantage. This is another example of Freemasons supporting the London community. This donation follows on from a £1,250,000 donation, of a £2.5 million funding pledge from London Freemasons to London Fire Brigade. The funding will provide London Fire Brigade with two extended height aerial vehicles.”