Fairbridge (charity)

Fairbridge is a UK charity that supports young people aged 13–25, that has existed since 1987. Each year it supports around 3,700 disengaged young people who are either not in education, employment or training – or at risk of becoming so – at one of its fifteen centres on the country.

In January 2011 it was announced that Fairbridge will become part of The Prince's Trust.

Fairbridge is the result of the merging of two organisations, the Drake Fellowship and the Fairbridge Society.

The Fairbridge Society was established in 1909 by Kingsley Fairbridge. Moved by the levels of deprivation he saw in inner city areas of England, he established a charity to offer opportunities and education abroad to young people from broken homes.

Operation Drake was launched in 1978 at the suggestion of HRH The Prince of Wales. It was a two-year, round-the-world venture in which 400 young people from 27 nations worked with scientists and servicemen on projects in 16 countries. John Mogg (British Army officer)(also known as Sir Herbert John Mogg) was a Chairman of the Operation Drake Fellowship.

In 1980, George Thurstan, one of the organisers of Operation Drake, formed the Drake Fellowship to help under-privileged young people from centres based in the heart of the inner cities.

In 1987, the Drake Fellowship merged with the Fairbridge Society to become Fairbridge Drake, and in 1992 the name was changed to Fairbridge.

Fairbridge's patron was Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, its President was Damon Buffini and Vice-Presidents were Lady Dodds-Parker and Sir William McAlpine.

In April 2011, Fairbridge will merge with The Prince's Trust. The united organisation, will be called The Prince’s Trust.

Fairbridge is a national charity which helps young people develop the confidence, motivation and skills they need to turn their lives around. It is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).

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