Our vision
To improve the lives of children and young people
Our mission
To offer a range of activities that develop skills, build confidence, tackle mental health issues and enhance wellbeing.
Our values
We are warm & welcoming, open & encouraging, supportive & safe, inclusive and non-judgemental.
Our Work
We welcome children from 8-19 years at Devas at our afterschool club, youth club and holiday clubs. We provide opportunities for children to participate in a range of activities from music lessons to boxing, from art and crafts to cooking, from homework help to mentoring and coaching.
Devas is open to all children, and we work in partnership with social services, local schools and the police to provide support to those children and families that need us most. Our staff are highly trained. You can find out more here.
We are a community hub offering our space to hire for regular and one-off community events and activities
Our History
1884
1886
1907
1970
Jocelyn Devas, a graduate of University College Oxford, started a ‘Club for working lads’ in a room over a coffee tavern in Stewarts Road, Battersea. Its mission was to overcome apathy with activities for everyone, address low expectation with a good standard of activities and ‘improve expertise and excellence’.
Jocelyn was tragically killed in a climbing accident in Zermatt. Jocelyn’s Father enlisted the help of his son’s friends, and funded an initiative to carry on the work that Jocelyn had started in Battersea.
Arthur L Harding, one of Jocelyn’s friends, oversaw the successful renovation and move to a larger premises Thessaly Road in 1907.
Devas moved to its current location on Stormont Road.
A member of the Devas family has been on our board of trustees since the club opened in 1884.
“Devas offers loads to young people, families and community. We appreciate everything you do.”
— Parent
