Young Camden Town trio launch clothing shop to help kids at risk from drugs and gangs
Owners of Clime-It Brothers Mubarak Mohamud (front) with Daryl Hanrahan. Picture: Polly Hancock - Credit: Archant
A young trio from Camden Town have started their own environmentally-conscious clothing store using half of all profits to help disadvantaged young people in the borough.
Clime-it Brothers, based in the Camden Collective, Camden High Street, saw its grand opening this month, almost selling out of stock in the first week.
The shop sells a range of “climate friendly” clothes and accessories and uses a sizeable portion of the money to help young people develop new personal skills through writing workshops and theatre groups.
It’s the brainchild of Mubarak Mohamud, 25, who experienced first-hand what it could be like growing up in Camden Town.
“I know what it’s like to be looked down on by people,” he said.
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“We as a society need to learn that criticising the youth of this generation is not the way forward as it only leads to continued resistance. Instead of focusing on what they can’t do, let’s focus more on giving them praise and encouragement for the things they can do.
“Through theatre and creative writing, we have found a unique and tested way in dealing with issues such as youth unemployment, bullying and anti-social behaviour. Improving communication is our starting point.”
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Gang members, drug dealers and the homeless are all helped by the group.
A keen musician, Mubarak uses hip-hop to help young people expand their vocabulary and develop an idea of “who they want to be”.
“It’s important that youngsters don’t let other people’s opinion of them define who they are,” he explains. “We get them to start out writing about what their life is like and how they feel – but their verses will always end with what they want for their future.
“It’s a great way to boost confidence and it hammers home the message and story they’ve written for themselves.”
Joining the business is long-term friend Daryl Hanrahan, 28, who was one of the first people to be helped by Mubarak’s workshops. “All of us here have seen first-hand the problems some of the young people in Camden face,” he said.
“The workshops help people develop a work-ethic and build self-confidence and it’s all about being the difference we wanted to see in our home town.”
Joined by friend Richard Webb, 31, the trio hope to expand their “good cause” brand and help young people across the borough fulfil their potential.
“We’ve been surprised by how well people in Camden have taken to our store and what we’re trying to do,” said Richard. “We didn’t realise it would be this popular so soon, but we almost sold out of stock in the first week.”
