Jade and husband Jay set up Out
of the Dark, a charitable social
enterprise, around four years ago
as an extension of their existing
charity, Street Dreams.
Out of the Dark recycles, restores
and revamps pre-1970s furniture
as a means to train, educate
and employ young people from
disadvantaged backgrounds. “We
started Out of the Dark to be
able to teach young people the
work ethic and skills that would
make them more confident,” Jade
explains. They provide creative
and practical skills training and
an education in business and life
skills to help participants achieve
their full potential and avoid a
life of crime.
It seems appropriate that they are
based in High Wycombe, which
was once the epicenter of British
furniture manufacturing. Now in
its fourth year, Out of the Dark is
going from strength to strength
and engaging with more and
more young people.
Forty-eight young people have
been involved on the practical
side of the project in the past
four years and Jade is really
proud that one of the first young
people to get involved is now
their workshop manager and is
considering going to university
to study engineering design.
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