ABOUT US
& TIMELINE
Discover how Prospex has grown from a local youth centre into a community built around opportunity, confidence and belonging.
At Prospex, we believe that being rooted in our community enhances our work and improves our chances of making an impact.
Our team support the young people with whom we come into contact, regardless of whether they’re young people involved in gangs, or kids looking for somewhere to play a board game. In all aspects of work we approach the young people in a non-judgemental manner regardless of culture, gender or creed.
Read our Impact Report 2025–26 (PDF) →For our latest finances, see our annual accounts to May 2025 or meet the team.
Our Timeline
Prospex is founded by Matt Calvert to focus on working with hard to reach young people in the Caledonian Road area through detached work. Matt on BBC Panorama
Tower Youth Club is launched in St Andrews Church Thornhill Square.
Prospex works scheme starts giving young people paid work experience, starting by painting garage doors on the stock!
The Boston Girls Group is started.
Richard 'Beef' Frankland takes over the reins as CEO of Prospex after Matt moves on to new ventures. See Beef's LinkedIn
Prospex Street Teams wins the Centre for Social Justice Award that recognises charities fighting grassroots poverty.
Thornhill Bridge Art Project Unveiled designed by young people and the artist Rob Pepper in partnership with the Thornhill Bridge Community Gardens.
Prince Philip visits Prospex and the young people at a hub session at the Goodinge Community Centre. Read about his visit
Prospex Mechanix programme pilot launched in partnership with Haynes manuals and London Youth. Programme is a huge success. What a graduate said
Ten young people from Prospex complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award scheme the first time we have delivered it.
Prospex moves to the Underground Youth Centre with a 25 year lease, really grounding us in the local community.
Prospex runs its first full summer programme and provision over half terms attracting up to 40 young people each day.
Young people complete the 100mile Canoe test on the River Severn over 4 days.
Prospex feature on the One Show with Dame Emma Thompson highlighting food inequality. Watch One Show video
Prospex runs pilot for Prospex Listens and Cares (PLC) a therapeutic counselling service. Find out more
Established the Prospex Media Studio at the Underground.
The Prospex Podcast is launched. Listen here
Prospex wins London Youth Adventure Award for our summer camp, outdoor and residential work. Link to London Youth
Detached work expands to 6 more wards after winning the Islington Council contract. Beef's LinkedIn post
25 years of Prospex. We celebrate our 25th anniversary with a Pub Quiz fundraiser, a relaunched Elthorne Youth Hub, a 68-mile River Spey expedition, Podcast Season 10 and our biggest Awards Night yet. See what’s on
Prospex continues to create spaces where young people can belong, develop new skills and shape their own futures.
Help us keep creating spaces where young people in Islington can belong, grow and shape their own futures.