The Arbour is an independent registered charity No. 303238. It was was established by St. Dunstan and All Saints Church in Stepney after World War II as a response to the local social and economic deprivation. The Centre started its activities in 1953 and became registered charity in 1967 and has been working in the Tower Hamlets area for more than 50 years.

The Arbour is a unique place where children, young people and parents are active, feel supported, are listened to and become empowered. All project activities and projects are designed in consultation with our members. The Centre provides opportunities for leisure and educational activities, volunteer work, advice, counselling services and one-on-one support.

The Centre is open 5 days a week; Monday to Friday from 10am until 7pm. The Centre offers variety of ongoing activities and one-off projects for children, young people and parents. The programme changes regularly and there is always something new on offer. The Centre has an open door policy where local residents and children are welcome to come in without appointment. The majority of activities are delivered by our own staff or in partnership with local groups and organisations. Most of the activities are free of charge or have a very small nominal fee.

The Centre also has a large hall which is available for hire to local residents, organisations and businesses. If you wish to book the hall, please contact the Centre Manager.

The Arbour is working towards its vision of a society which gives everyone, particularly young people, the chance to learn, work and live free from discrimination and prejudice and from the fear of harassment and violence.

Our philosophy of Equal Opportunities has two strands. It applies across the board to all our policies, practices and procedures which relate to employment and the working environment. It also applies equally to our service delivery and in particular to the inclusion of children and young people in the full range of activities, programmes and experiences. The Arbour believes that a policy of equal opportunity and fair treatment provides benefits to both the individual and the organisation, helping to ensure that people can reach their full potential, that work is carried out most effectively and that attainment of personal and business goals can be recognised and encouraged.

The Arbour is committed to providing equal opportunities and fair treatment for all. No-one will be treated less favourably on these grounds in The Arbour’s policies, practices or procedures relating to recruitment and selection, training, development or any other aspect of employment and volunteer work, including discipline and dismissal. The policy also applies to job advertisements, to conditions of employment, to projects organised and/or run by The Arbour and to the provision of its youth work services, programmes and activities.

The Equal Opportunities and Inclusion Policy is deemed to be incorporated into all other Arbour Policies and Procedures, whether or not this is explicitly stated in the particular Policy.