Our History

Images by Kathryn Louise Geels

LEAP started in July 1993 as initiative to help people from a small area in Harlesden (north west London) to find employment. In our first 18 months we achieved all the targets set by our only funder, the Harlesden City Challenge (HCC). This success led to funding from other regeneration initiatives and we opened another site for the unemployed residents of South Kilburn and Queen’s Park from 1995 to 2000.

In 1996, LEAP became an independent voluntary organisation and a registered charity. Our aim was defined for the benefit of the public in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom by relieving poverty and distress through the provision of advice, information, training and education.

In 1999 LEAP launched STRIVE, a major initiative adapted from an American model, becoming the first organisation outside the United States to do so. The programme aimed to tackle attitudinal and cultural barriers into sustained employment sometimes held by unemployed people from disadvantaged communities.

In September 2002, LEAP moved to purpose built premises (Harriet Tubman House) in Kensal Green and opened a brand new community centre for the local residents. The move more than doubled the number of service users and, in addition to enhancing our employment services, we began running numeracy and IT classes (both basic and intermediate level), in the evenings. The move to the new premises also gave us the space to run a local community centre from which we are able to offer arts and other provision to local young residents.

In 2005 the success the success of our flagship employment pogramme led us to facilitate its delivery in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In February 2009 we gained significant recognition from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills for the effectiveness of our programme when LEAP was featured prominently in The Employability Challenge report, as an example of good practice.

In 2011 we launched a new programme aimed at supporting young people in school prepare for their first work experience. We teach them the skills they will need to be successful in a work environment and in life, supporting them as they move forward in life.

Every month, we support over 200 people through our range of services. To date LEAP has provided services for almost 20,000 people and placed 5,000 people into employment through a hardworking team dedicated to assisting unemployed people, and we are committed to helping many, many more.