A recent Financial Times article highlights the work of POoR Collective, a youth-led social enterprise that focuses on empowering young people, particularly from underrepresented communities, to become active participants in shaping their built environment. By combining design and social activism, POoR Collective seeks to create equitable opportunities, foster engagement in architecture, and address the underrepresentation of minorities within the profession.
A key part of POoR Collective's mission involves mentoring and education. They provide young people with platforms to collaborate with professional architects, giving them a voice in how urban spaces are designed and developed. This mentorship bridges the gap between architectural practice and those who often feel excluded from influencing the spaces they inhabit. Their recent collaboration with the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) serves as a testament to their ambition to bring new perspectives into the industry.
At SCT, we resonate with this vision through our efforts to engage young people in architectural and heritage-based projects. By offering hands-on opportunities in the development of Meanwhile Spaces, we hope to provide aspiring architects and conservationists with platforms to develop their skills. Similar to POoR Collective, SCT focuses on giving young people real-world experiences that empower them to take part in the future of their built environment, particularly in the field of conservation and sustainability.
POoR Collective's work underscores the importance of creating spaces for young voices in architecture—something SCT also aims to achieve by connecting youth with underutilised heritage buildings. Both organisations work to ensure that young people are not just passive observers but active contributors in shaping a sustainable and inclusive urban future.
To read more about POoR Collective and their inspiring mission, you can check out the full article here.