At the Heart of Rainham, for Our Community

A Brief History

Back in 1993 with high levels of anti-social behaviour being displayed by some young people in the area, a limited involvement by other community activities, Rainham Organisers for Youth Activity Leaders (known as ROYALS) was formed.

In July 1994 the London Borough of Havering agreed to put a piece of land at our disposal for the youth club to be built. The ROYALS then became a registered charity in April 1994.

It's success has lead to a borough wide reputation as a centre which attracts large numbers of young people on a weekly basis; and as a safe environment for them to engage in contemporary activities relevant to their needs.

The ROYALS is a 3 story purpose built building at the heart of Rainham Village; with its easy access and transport links, it's a well known feature of the community.

The ROYALS currently house over 20 local community groups. Our 3rd floor extension was officially opened on the 18th July 2015, which has an internet suite, kitchen, toilet business suite and 4 large storage units.

General Governance Matters

Rainham Organisers for Youth Opportunity Leaders (“Royals”) is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under registration number 1036854. The Aims and Objectives of the Royals are recorded as:

“For the benefit of children and young persons in the Rainham parish in the London borough of Havering by providing or assisting in the provision of recreational activities and facilities (both outdoor and indoor) so as to develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities and so that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and so that their conditions of life may be improved”.

The Executive Committee, comprising the Honorary Officers (who are ex officio Trustees) and Other Trustees manage the charity. The Executive Committee is responsible for ensuring that the charity’s aims and objectives are discharged and that the charity remains financially viable. The Trustees are supported by a Centre Manager who is responsible the day to day management of the Centre as directed by the Trustees.

The Royals is a membership organisation and membership is open to any person over the age of 18 years interested in furthering the aims and objectives. Generally though, the Royals has evolved over time into a base for community activities and the membership comprises representatives of the several User Groups who use the Centre for faith and community based activities. Each User Group may nominate, in writing to the Centre Manager, up to two of their members to attend Executive Committee meetings but only one representative for each User Group may be a Trustee and cast a vote. Participation as members is also invited from young people who are normally resident or who attend school in the London Borough of Havering and who have not reached the age of 18 years. Members who are not yet 18 years of age are not entitled to vote.

The Executive Committee endeavours to meet not less than five times a year to determine the strategy and direction of the Royals and to consider requests and initiatives put forward by members, to consider financial matters and generally to deal with all matters concerning the running of the charity.

Applications are invited from the User Groups and members for candidates for election to the Executive Committee and elections will be held once every year, usually at the Annual General Meeting. Ideally, the Executive Committee will comprise not less than eight or more than 12 members, including the Honorary Officers.