�Companies are being called on to join in a charity programme of physical activities and mental challenges designed to help young people in Redbridge.

The government-supported Challenge Network has worked with more than 3,000 young people nationally since 2009 to give them an insight into the working world and to learn teamwork and presentation skills.

It is expanding its work into Redbridge for the first time in 2012 and is looking for organisations that are willing to offer their services to give young people a leg up.

Ketiwe Maduma, the charity’s assistant programme manager for north-east London, said: “This is the first year we are spreading out to Redbridge – it’s a combination of getting more support for the programme and funding so there’s the chance to work across all the London boroughs.

“The idea is to give young people an insight into what a working environment is like and help to raise their aspirations and to help them think about what they can do.”

Climbing

A three-week programme of challenges will keep 150 current Year 11 students from the borough busy next summer.

That will include a week of physical activities, such as climbing, canoeing and abseiling, during a residential stay outside London.

Redbridge companies will be used for workplace visits and to give feedback on the participants’ fundraising ideas for local charities.

Ms Maduma said the charity is looking for involvement from a wide range of organisations such as legal firms, social enterprises or Redbridge Council.

The programme is supported by the Cabinet Office, the Greater London Authority and the Department for Education and is a provider of the government’s National Citizen Service scheme.

n Organisers will hold assemblies in the borough’s schools next year as they look for participants, but young people who want to take part can email adam.elliott-cooper@the-challenge.org. Firms interested in volunteering can email ketiwe.maduma@the-challenge.org or call 020 7921 4446.