Ava's blog on developing skills with a Coin Street internship

This summer, I completed a four-week paid internship at Coin Street. Coin Street offers a range of intergenerational programmes, including youth clubs, coffee mornings, and art groups. They also manage cooperative housing and early years services. 

As someone raised in East London, I appreciated their mission of restoring and sustaining the community life in a city with locals affected by displacement and regeneration.

My internship was alongside the Youth and Community Programmes (YCP) team, where I attended many practical, public-facing sessions. Attending these sessions influenced the projects I completed. I created a digital employment directory tailored to young people, adults with disabilities, and individuals with a history of involvement in the criminal justice system. 

These are groups that often face additional challenges when seeking employment. I contacted dozens of organisations to verify their eligibility criteria and ensure their initiatives were accessible and current. I aimed to produce a resource that was not only informative but would continue to be useful.

Alongside the directory, I designed promotional flyers for Coin Street’s website, conducted interviews with volunteers, and wrote case studies to highlight their impact on the local community. Additionally, I researched different corporate volunteering models to support building future partnerships and assisted a colleague with a grant application to support future community sessions.

The role was collaborative yet gave me the space to work independently, which is a balance I valued greatly. I developed skills in research, writing, public speaking, stakeholder engagement, and digital design. My final presentation allowed me to share my projects with the wider team. I was also recognised during the organisation’s volunteer celebration event, a small but meaningful moment that showed their kind culture.

What resonated with me most throughout my internship, however, were the moments spent in community sessions. Whether I attended youth night, art group, or coffee mornings, I saw exactly how Coin Street builds long-term connections rooted in trust, compassion, and care. 

Conversations with participants gave real context to my written case studies and allowed me to understand the emotional impact of the programmes beyond their official goals. Coin Street’s commitment to accessibility was clear. Staff were incredibly observant and proactive, creating environments that weren’t just inclusive, but responsive as well.

This internship reaffirmed my interest in working within socially engaged spaces that combine care and impact with creativity. It heightened my appreciation for all of the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that goes into building a community. It also provided clarity on the kind of environments I favour: people-focused, collaborative, and driven by purpose. I enjoyed contributing to a team that felt part of something bigger.