Articles

The latest updates from LifeLine Projects.
Articles

The sound of silence

Every time I walk through a shopping centre, I wonder why they’re such loud places. It feels like they’re designed to deafen you. I remember years ago when I visited a hospital, another place which is always noisy. There, I chanced upon a prayer room. It was quiet and simply decorated. It felt like a refuge. If only such spaces...

1 year ago

 by John Carruthers

Articles

Why so many young people lose confidence… and how we can help them rebuild it

It’s easy to assume that someone we see as confident must be confident all the time, and the same for those who lack confidence. But that’s often not true—confidence can fluctuate wildly depending on the situation and other factors. And for many young people, a decline in confidence can happen just when they need it most.If you met one of our...

1 year ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

From living room to legacy

How a handful of volunteers and a coffee table helped shape one of LifeLine’s most transformative programmes It began with 14 women in a living room. There were no desks, no whiteboards, and certainly no lesson plans. But there was food, friendship and a shared determination to belong. LifeLine Projects, now one of London’s most recognised community-based charities, was still...

1 year ago

 by LifeLine Comms Team

Articles

“So, what does it really mean to be a development organisation?”

In everything we do, we don’t want people to rely on LifeLine forever. Instead, we aim to help them become confident, independent, and active members of their community. We want them to live full lives and support others, becoming a positive force for change in their own neighbourhoods.

1 year ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

Standing up for each other: building a culture of courage of care

Last month, It is the right thing to do. Let us stop calling people nosey when they care. Let us show our community that doing the right thing is something to be proud of. Creating safe and respectful communities is a responsibility we all share.

1 year ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

Bullying: A call to action for young people’s wellbeing

In an article I wrote not long ago, I shared how we are witnessing a generation of young people who are struggling more than ever. It’s heartbreaking to think that, in 2025, we still haven’t learned how to make young people feel safe, heard, or understood. One of the major culprits behind this is bullying. It’s a problem that refuses...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

SW!TCH: A journey of transformation

25 years of empowering young lives As we reflect on 25 years of LifeLine Projects, it is impossible to ignore the incredible journey of our SW!TCH programme. It began with SW!TCH ID back in 2009—a series of positive actions to challenge the negative stereotypes about young people. From humble beginnings, it soon grew and evolved into a range of programmes...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

The loss of my father, my hero, and my greatest mentor

I have often spoken about Richard Cole, "Words cannot express how the love he carried was unlike anything we'd seen before." As the leaders of his generation are called home, we should not only fill the space but consider the next steps we need to make to take society further. We need to consider if we will be the brave...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

Helping young people stay connected without sacrificing their wellbeing

For many years, LifeLine had an office in Hackney. Hackney felt different to the other parts of East London where I lived and worked---people talked to you, whether on the bus or train, or just walking down the street. You could find yourself in the most interesting conversations, seemingly at random. It had a great sense of community. I was...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

Hope: A gift we share

As we approach Christmas, it's a time to reflect on what we’re most grateful for—whether it’s your family, friends, or the warmth of a home where you can gather.Many of us are fortunate to share this festive season with our loved ones. But for many others, this time of year is nothing to celebrate.Imagine spending cold Christmas alone, without friends,...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

A reflection on impact: SW!TCH Communities in Harold Hill

The origins of SW!TCH Communities A charity is about the community; it’s about serving a bigger purpose. It’s strong relationships and taking care of people and getting important tasks done. John Singleton MBE When people come together and talk about their problems, they have the power to act and create local solutions for their neighbourhoods. LifeLine's SW!TCH Communities programme began...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

Articles

The power of mentoring: a personal reflection

Most of us have had someone who helped shape who we are today. For me, that person was my mentor. Mentors can be family members, friends, or colleagues, yet they often go unnoticed—true unsung heroes in our lives. National Mentoring Day is a chance to celebrate the achievements of both mentors and mentees. It’s also a great reminder to reflect...

2 years ago

 by Nathan Singleton

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