Our History
From 2002 to present day.
Greenhouse was founded in 2002 when our trustee and former Chief Executive, Michael de Giorgio, set up a sports coaching pilot to give young people on a local housing estate something positive to do in the school holidays.
Using the sports facilities at St Paul’s School, an independent school in West London, the pilot programme helped troubled teenagers and was supported by the Metropolitan Police. It was so successful and in demand that it continued over the following years and merged with similar charity, Table Tennis for Kids (TTK).
Mike quickly realised that rather than transporting young people from their own neighbourhoods to private schools in more affluent areas, he needed to bring sport to young people in their own communities – our current unique model of running full-time school sports programmes was born! In 2004, the ‘Greenhouse Schools Project’ moved into schools, with two full-time table tennis programmes and weekend/holiday programmes at eight locations.
From then Greenhouse has continued to grow, thanks to the generosity of our supporters who share our belief in the value of providing opportunities and role models for all young people.
Take a look at where it all began, with founder and trustee, Mike de Giorgio.
In 2022, we celebrated 20 years of supporting young people. Take a look at how we’ve grown.
