Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith announced he will push for more business and sport opportunities for young people escaping gang culture after visiting the new offices of a gang mediation organisation.

The work and pensions secretary is patron of Gangs Unite, a community interest company based in South Grove, Walthamstow, which mentors around 60 to 70 young people through sport and performing arts.

Waltham Forest Council provided the offices for the volunteer-run organisation after it previously worked on the streets of the borough, and Duncan Smith came to visit the new base on Friday.

He said: “I am very proud to be a patron of Gangs Unite. They are a remarkable new organisation which has been very effective in helping to pull gang members out and offer them an alternative to a life of crime.

“I’m trying to help them now to get more links with football clubs – I’m talking to Tottenham [Hotspur FC] to see what they can do.”

He was reminded of the talented youth of the borough when 20-year-old Aaron Samuels presented him with a drawing of the politician, while another young man proudly told him he had just secured an internship at a London stockbroker firm.

Duncan Smtih added: “What a life change that is. It’s really good news. I’m looking at how we could provide more business links for the group, I think that’s important.

“Colin James is excellent at what he does and I believe that he can make a real difference to youth violence in the local area if we give him enough resources.”

Organiser Colin James said the young people were inspired by the visit, and hopes the offices provide a base for more young people to get involved.

The 43-year-old added: “It’s nice to have a base where people can come and find you. Hopefully it makes it easier for those who need us to get in touch.”

But he said the economic climate has made it difficult to find funding, and they rely on grants from local companies including Walthamstow estate agents Strettons.

He said: “The more money we get in the more we can do but it’s extremely hard right now. But we’ve had some good outcomes. A lot of them have gone into jobs and further education.

“We’re able to make a difference. They respond well because the fact we’re here for them, it shows that we care.”