A network of charities and community groups celebrated their success in a church today.

Love Burnt Oak, a collection of more than 30 organisations, including Age UK, Barnet and Southgate College, and Barnet Homes, provides advice and support on a variety of issues.

Pastor Paul Anderson-Walsh, of the International Gospel Church in Burnt Oak, said the group hoped to improve the life chances of people in the area by bringing together projects to improve health, education and housing.

He said: “If you live in Hampstead Garden you live seven years longer than if you lived in Burnt Oak. What’s that about?”

Bridging the Gap, one of the group’s member organisations, provides training to young people.

Luke Gray, 18, said working with them had made a huge difference to him.

He said: “I did a course and gained the skills I needed to get an internship. I did the interview, got it. I got the confidence I needed to speak to people, and I grew in confidence. After the internship, I got a job at Capita”.

Pastor Anderson-Walsh said: “A lot of the training that takes place here is about building confidence and self esteem, and taking things from there.”