Elevate (previously Vales Nails Nail Bar) started on Strawberry Vale estate East Finchley, North London in 2014. We set up the nail bar to meet local young women, listen to their needs and co-design long term provision; as a result Elevate moved to an empty shop unit in North Finchley town centre where it has gone onto support over 240 local young women.
Open every Tuesday the space is set up as professional nail salon where young women can drop in to get their nails done for free, learn new skills and access a wide range of creative activities. It’s run by a team of specialist staff including a Independent Domestic Violence Advisor and a Young Persons Violence Advisor who deliver targeted activities to address signs of risk: engaging participants to explore issues like violence, abuse, gender equality; and giving them practical tools to stay safe and responding to high-risk disclosures.
Elevate is part of our IN OUR HANDS programme.
“At Elevate, people can express themselves without being judged, and you are accepted for who you are. They have helped me sort out my housing for me and my son, and shown me the importance of having goals in your life.”
