The Private Equity Foundation (PEF) and Community Links have partnered to open a new community centre in Newham, London.

Over 80 volunteers from the private equity industry helped add finishing touches to the Rokeby Community Links Centre, funded by PEF. Along with some of the facility's young beneficiaries, they took part in tasks ranging from gardening and painting to building a challenge course and play house.

The centre will give Community Links a permanent base to provide activities for young people, such as after school and into work clubs, evening youth groups, as well as daytime activities for parents and carers. Such opportunities are generally lacking in Newham, where child poverty rates are at 55% and unemployment is double the national average.

The land for the centre was donated by the London Borough of Newham, which has also pledged further financial contributions.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, also visited the centre.  He said, “It is fantastic to see the members of the Private Equity Foundation not only fund but get actively involved in such an important project, which is, after all, just a stone’s throw from the City.”

The Rokeby Community Links Centre will open to the public in early November 2008.