About Us

Sunbeams was born when young people along with two secondary school teachers in Hackney’s OJ community saw too many girls presenting multiple, complex issues like anxiety, eating disorders or disengagement with school.

They realized that many of these girls had in younger years faced smaller, more manageable problems such as learning difficulties, bereavement and low self-esteem which were not addressed. These then spiraled out of control, morphing into complex emotional and mental health challenges, anti-social behavior and academic failure.

Together with young community volunteers, some of whom had lived experience of these issues, they launched an early-intervention mentoring service for girls age 5-12, aiming to tackle problems upstream, when they were relatively new and manageable.

Nine years down the line, and over 30,000 mentoring sessions later, Sunbeams is a community-trusted, accredited mentoring service supporting over 150 girls age 7-16 each year.

We work with young people at the stage before they require intensive specialist support for their issues, or sometimes alongside specialist services. Young people on the service struggle with problems such as low self-esteem, social isolation, anxiety, low mood, incipient eating disorders, truancy or majorly strained relationships.

We enjoy strong partnerships with 11 local girls’ schools, (representing over 6,000 pupils), local welfare organizations and statutory services such as First Steps and CAMHS for inward and onward

Our Mission

To empower girls to develop their character, grow in confidence and resilience and overcome challenges.

Our Vision

Vulnerable and disadvantaged girls in the community are supported through tough times and empowered with the skills and emotional resilience to confidently face whatever life throws at them and succeed.