About Baytree

The Baytree Centre is an educational charity (charity registration number 1175145) for women and girls, based in the heart of Brixton, south London.

Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching in response to local needs, we address poor housing conditions, homelessness, lack of language and basic skills, trauma due to difficult migration journeys and other barriers that can prevent our 800+ women and girls and their families from thriving.

The services we have developed with and for our clients focus on education, training, and employability skills to enhance confidence and self-esteem, raise aspirations and provide opportunities and networks to improve the lives of women and girls whom we serve.

Baytree’s education and support programmes are flexible and tailor services to the needs of the people living locally. All projects combine education with one-to-one mentoring. Social mobility mentoring gives women and girls the tools to identify and overcome their specific challenges and improve their life chances. Baytree’s relational and professional approach ensures women and girls recognise their own worth and take concrete steps to build a bright future for themselves, their families and their communities.

Our Mission:

We inspire and support women and girls to gain the skills, confidence and wisdom they need to thrive in life, work and family. Baytree’s unique approach provides networks, opportunities and skills that empower women and girls. By supporting the women in our community, they improve economic and social inclusion for themselves and their families.

Character Development

At Baytree, we use Character Development as an educational approach that involves helping girls discover their own strengths and weaknesses and develop good habits. Our Character Development programme aims to empower girls to approach everyday decisions with the strength of good habits and critical thought.
Baytree has selected four key character traits: Resilience, Self-control, Good judgement, and Fairness, and all of them help the girls to understand their purpose.

Baytree's History

2020

Baytree adapts to the pandemic

In the unprecedented international crisis caused by the covid-19 outbreak, Baytree moves all its provision online and adapts its services to meet emerging needs of women and girls in the community.
2020
2018

The Adult Service becomes the Baytree’s Women’s Service

The Adult service becomes the Baytree’s Women’s Service, adopting the EMPATH programme, a social mobility programme from the United States.
2018
2017

Baytree registers as an independent charity

Having been a project of the Dawliffe Hall Educational Foundation for 26 years, Baytree registers as an independent charity with full support of the Dawliffe Hall Educational Foundation.
2017
2017

Building Young Brixton (BYB) is founded

Baytree, together with High Trees, IRMO, Spiral, Ebony Horse Club and Marcus Lipton Community Enterprise, founds the Building Young Brixton (BYB), a consortium of Brixton based Youth Organisations with 9 member organisations.
2017
2016

Baytree celebrates 25 years

Baytree celebrates 25 years of supporting women and girls in Brixton
2016
2013

The ‘Pearl Project’ starts

As a result of extremely severe funding cuts the Adult Service team shows their commitment to Baytree by starts the ‘Pearl Project’ on a voluntary basis, enabling students to continue attending ESOL, ICT, Maths and Literacy classes on payment of low fees.
2013
2012

Baytree hosts Boris Johnson

Baytree hosts Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London.
2012
2011

Baytree celebrates 20 years

Baytree celebrates 20 years of life-changing work.
2011
2010

The new kitchen is opened by Levi Roots

Youth Forum obtains funding and designs the new kitchen which is opened by Levi Roots in November + The Youth Service is awarded a bronze level AQYP.
2010
2009

Literacy programmes for women begin

Baytree’s unique Literacy programmes for Women begin.
2009
2008

The Adult Service begins their outreach work

The Adult Service begins their outreach work in 11 Children’s Centres in Lambeth funded by Lambeth CYPS +The Volunteer Service achieves the Investing in Volunteers Quality Mark
2008
2007

The PEACH programme starts

The Baytree Centre starts the PEACH programme (Parents in the Education, Achievement and Character of their Children) based on a programme developed by the Metro Achievement Centre in the United States. This programme provides one-to-one academic and personal development mentoring for girls as well as support for their parents.
2007
2005

The Adult Service is awarded funding

The Adult Service is awarded funding through the European Social Fund, in addition to Lambeth Council funding and charitable grants. Mentoring for women begins.
2005
2002

Princess Anne visits the centre

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne visits the centre to celebrate Baytree’s recent 10 year anniversary
2002
1998

First summer residential programme is held

Baytree girls are taken on the first Summer Residential Programme + a registered creche opens
1998
1997

The Youth Service begins

Afterschool study clubs for girls begin and Baytree’s Youth Service is born.
1997
1994

On-site creche and computer room open

Brixton Challenge fund the refurbishment of an on-site creche and a computer room
1994
1993

ESOL and IT classes begin

Baytree is accredited as a Lambeth College Franchise and begins delivering ESOL and IT classes for women.
1993
1991

The Baytree Centre is officially opened

The Baytree Centre is officially opened and starts running skills-based courses for women.
1991
1990

Refurbishment of the building begins

Refurbishment of the building begins made possible by donations, fundraising and the help of volunteers.
1990
1988

300 Brixton Road is purchased

In the aftermath of the Brixton Riots local women ask a local priest, Father Thwaites, for support to set up a centre for women and families. In response a derelict warehouse at 300 Brixton Road is purchased by Dawliffe Hall Educational Foundation.
1988

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Sparklers Club

supports girls in their final term of Year 6 and in year Year 7 with the transition from primary to secondary school; Tuesdays from 4:30 – 5:45 pm  

Junior Spark Club

for girls in years 8-9; Thursdays from 4:30 – 6:00 pm. 

Spark Club

for girls in years 10 and above; Wednesdays from 5:00 -7:00 pm.