Birmingham-based charity Sport 4 Life UK has announced it is expanding its reach and services across the West Midlands.
The charity has been supporting young people facing unemployment and disadvantage since 2006. It uses sport as a tool to help develop key life skills, and provides structured one-to-one mentoring by qualified mentors and positive role models.
Service users can then access group-based activities, including accredited qualifications, youth-led social action, mock interviews, and further sport sessions. This package of support enables young people to move into meaningful education and employment outcomes.
The charity is now providing its new delivery model, which puts young people at its heart, in Sandwell, Walsall and parts of Worcestershire, and is seeking more referrals for its mentoring scheme across the region. The model is based on evidence and insight on what works with unemployed young people, and includes instant enrolment, a dedicated employability mentor, and a youth-led and bespoke journey towards sustained education or employment.
Founder and Chief Executive Tom Clarke-Forrest told ConnectSport: “We’re delighted to expand our services and new ways of working throughout the West Midlands.
“Our new approach is a shift away from a ‘one size fits all’ project-based approach, towards a youth-led and bespoke intervention. It’s what young people want, it’s more efficient, it’s replicable, and most importantly - it achieves tangible impact with some of the region’s most in-need young people.”
Thanks to the expansion, Sport 4 Life UK are aiming to support 2,000 young people in the region to progress into sustained employment, education and training over the next three years.
As part of the charity’s plans to expand throughout the West Midlands – and potentially further in the future – Sport 4 Life UK is keen to hear from businesses, philanthropists and corporate partners to significantly enhance its delivery capabilities. Find out more here.
Check out Sport 4 Life UK's new website sport4life.org.uk
