Street League empower young people who are struggling to break into the jobs market (Picture: Malcolm Cochrane Photography)
We all know playing sport is a great way to keep fit and can be lots of fun too.
But the link between sport and tackling youth unemployment – one of the UK’s biggest social issues – may seem less obvious.
Street League works with young people aged 16 to 24 who are finding it hard to break into the jobs market.
The charity gets youngsters involved in physical activity while also offering them advice on the best routes into work, as well as the chance to gain skills and formal qualifications.
‘We use sport to engage young people and develop soft skills – like communication, problem solving and leadership – that are really important in the world of work,’ says Steven Jardine, its Head of UK Operations.
‘It also ensures they’re in a safe, friendly environment where they are happy to talk about their career ambitions and listen to our advice about how to achieve them.’
Harnessing the power of social media, the organisation seeks to give young people a role model to look up to (Picture: Getty)
Street League, which receives funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, supports more than 2000 young people every year across England and Scotland.
Its programmes are usually 10 to 15 weeks’ long, with group sessions four days a week.
However, staff speak with each young person to come up with an individual plan and can also match people to jobs with local employers.
‘We will help everyone in any way we can, and don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach,’ Steven says.
‘Making a difference is what it’s all about – it’s amazing to see someone who was shy and struggled to make eye contact and then three months later is succeeding in a new job.’
Through 10 and 15-week-long programmes, the organisation coaches young people before matching them with local employers (Picture: Getty)
Operating across England and Scotland, the League supports those out of work and provides them with a pathway to employment
Street League – which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in November – reaches young people by going into schools, holding sports events and advertising on social media.
Dillon, 16, came across the charity at his school in South Ayrshire. At the time, he was keen to leave but unsure about what he could do afterwards.
The keen footballer was attracted to the sports element of Street League’s programme but was soon taking part in employability training, including a mock interview.
He later started an apprenticeship with Parks Motor Group in Ayr, where staff have been impressed with his progress over a short period of time.
‘Street League helped me with my confidence and supported me to go for the apprenticeship programme. It also taught me about life skills, responsibility and more,’ Dillon says.
‘I’m very thankful that they did because I wouldn’t be where I am today otherwise.’
Revealed: The scale of UK youth unemployment
Young people in Britain are three times more likely to be unemployed than the average adult, official figures reveal.
More than one in ten (10.9 per cent) of those aged 16 to 24 were unable to find work in April 2023 compared to 3.8 per cent of all adults.
A total of 41,000 people in this age group have been unemployed for more than a year, according to figures published this month by the Office of National Statistics*.
Coach reveals how he helped a young man turn his life around
Duncan Bailey, a Youth and Community Coach at Street League, describes how he helped a young man named Mark**:
‘Mark had just left school in London and was struggling to find his place in the world. He’d been in some trouble with the law and rival gangs in the area, and he didn’t see a way out of the negative path he was heading down.
‘As a Youth and Community Coach for Street League, I had seen this scenario many times before. It can be tough for young people to find their way, but I knew that we could help.
Youth and Community Coach Duncan Bailey succeeded to put Mark’s future back on track with the transferrable skills he learnt on the pitch (Picture: Getty)
‘Mark and I talked about his interests and ambitions, as well as his struggles. He was passionate about football and loved being active. I encouraged him to think about the transferable skills that he gains from playing sports, such as teamwork, communication, and resilience.
‘These skills are invaluable in many workplaces, and I knew that we could help him to build on them in an environment that suited him.
‘After gaining his qualifications in maths with our support, Mark secured a place at college to study a BTEC in sport and was successful in securing a place. A few years on, he’s now heading to university to complete his degree and using the skills that he gained through sport to excel in studies and beyond.’
How you can help People’s Postcode Lottery keep supporting charities like Street League
Taking part in People’s Postcode Lottery gives you the chance to share £1million with your neighbours – while also raising vital funds for charities.
For a £12 a month† subscription you will be entered into every draw, with prizes announced every day of the month.
That includes a bumper £1million for one winning postcode every Saturday as part of the brand new Millionaire Street.
There’s also £1,000 to be won every weekday for every ticket in twenty postcodes, £30,000 for every winning ticket in one postcode every Sunday, and a monthly prize of at least £3.2million for one lucky area.
The prospect of winning big on a regular basis is, naturally, a huge attraction. But signing up won’t just benefit you.
At least 33 per cent of the price of every People’s Postcode Lottery ticket goes to good causes.
Players have raised more than £1billion so far for charities, including £6million for Street League alone.
‘Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery allows us to keep doing our great work and reach the communities we haven’t got to yet,’ says Street League’s Steven Jardine.
‘We always welcome donations, but it’s this kind of larger scale, consistent funding that allows us to plan for the long term and make a real, sustainable difference.’
Click HERE to sign up today.
†£12 to be entered into all draws, paid monthly in advance. The estimated max possible ticket prize from the August millions and Millionaire Street prize draws is £391,000. Winning postcodes for August’s draws announced daily from 5 August to 8 September. T&Cs apply. People’s Postcode Lottery manages lotteries for 20 charities, each has one draw a month and receives a minimum of 33% from ticket sales. To find out draw dates, which good cause promotes and benefits from each draw, and the relevant prizes, see Prize Draw Calendar at www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes/draw-calendar. Not available in NI. Conditions apply. Postcode Lottery Limited is incorporated in England and Wales and is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission under licence numbers 000-000829-R-102511 and 000-000829-R-102513. Registered office: Postcode Lottery Limited, 2nd Floor, 31 Chertsey Street, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4HD. Company reg. no. 04862732. VAT reg. no848 3165 07. Trading address: 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4ET. © 2023 Postcode Lottery Ltd.
*Youth Unemployment Statistics, House of Commons Library, June 13 2023 – https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN05871/SN05871.pdf
**Mark is a pseudonym
Street Sport works with young people aged 16 to 24 who are finding it hard to break into the jobs market.
