Barclays Capital – Helping young people learn through art
Barclays Capital is the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC, based in nearby Canary Wharf. They are actively involved in providing support, help and commitment to the communities in which the bank works. The firm focuses its support on charities like the Bromley by Bow Centre that take a transformational approach to solving social problems where it can make the greatest possible difference, using expertise and resources and the time and skills of Barclays Capital's people.
The Centre is excited to be partnering with Barclays Capital to deliver an innovative Signs of Life project called Art Jump. The project will run interactive art workshops with local special needs schools in the Olympic boroughs to create lasting creative displays that enliven their school environment.
The students will be exhibiting their art at the View Tube a vibrant community arts venue and viewing platform overlooking the Olympic Park in Summer 2011. 
Barclays Capital's support will enable young people with special needs living in East London to build their sense of achievement and confidence whilst transforming their physical environment.
We are delighted to have Barclays Capital's continued support for our work creating change for disadvantaged young people through art.
Barclays Capital have supported Signs of Life since 2007. Their support has enabled us to deliver a number of exciting and engaging projects:
- KickstART workshops – this project enabled the Centre to launch a new after-school art group that gives children tuition in drawing, mural painting and photography.
- KickstART after-school group – this project ran creative workshops in local schools to help children learn the national curriculum in a new light.
- Music Mural – volunteers from Barclays Capital worked with pupils from Horizon School in Hackney to create an excellent african music themed mural in their playground
- Expanding Horizons – this project enabled local young people to participate in workshops, museum trips and outings as well as an extraordinary, life-changing exchange with Funarte, an arts project in Nicaragua.
- Nurturing the Nursery – this project created a brilliant mural for Bow Childcare, a local partner nursery for under 5s.
