#ChangeLivesThroughFootball 1
Welcome from robin van persie
CONTENTS 4 ONE MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED
I am proud to be an ambassador for Street League, which is one of the most exciting, dynamic and fastest-growing charities in the UK.
“Street League is one of the strongest ‘development through football’ organisations currently operating in the UK and that is why we are supporting their work through our Football for Hope initiative” – Federico Addiechi, Head of FIFA CSR
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Street League use the power of football to engage with young unemployed people and get them ready for work. Their track record is amazing, with 81% of Academy graduates moving into employment or training. Please support Street League and help change lives through football!
5 AT STREET LEAGUE, WE’RE MAKING AN IMPACT
6 AN AWARD-WINNING MODEL 7 STAGE ONE - STREET FOOTBALL 8 STAGE TWO - THE ACADEMY 12 Stage Three - Graduate Cup 13 WE’RE PROUD OF OUR TRACK RECORD 14 CASE STUDIES 17 LOCATIONS 18 HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH STREET LEAGUE
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One million young people unemployed… There are around one million young people unemployed in the UK today, with an estimated 250,000 having been out of work for a year or more. Even in a growing economy, it is estimated that between 7-9% of young people are unemployed. This is known as ‘structural’ youth unemployment.* More likely to be unemployed and welfaredependent later in life
susceptible to mental stress, feelings of helplessness and a loss of selfesteem leading to depression
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Consider the impact of long-term unemployment on a young person. Research says they are:
More likely to get involved in anti-social activity and crime
set to Spend an extra two months per year out of work by their late twenties
likely to Have their physical health negatively affected, both now and in the future * The ACEVO Commission on Youth Unemployment 2012
At Street League, we’re making an impact… Originally founded as an organisation working with homeless people in 2001, we now work with 16 to 25-yearolds who are facing the biggest barriers to employment. Our vision is to help bring an end to structural youth unemployment in the UK. Street League engages with young people on a structured football and education 'Academy' programme, with two hours in the classroom and two hours on the pitch each day. This intensive eight-week programme develops vital life and employability skills
such as communication, teamwork and leadership. It also offers nationally-recognised qualifications. We hold CVwriting sessions and work with corporate partners to deliver mock interviews, in order to prepare our participants for the real world. At Street League, we are incredibly proud of our track record. Currently 81% of our Academy graduates achieve a positive outcome - that means from every five young people who graduate, two move into employment and two move into training or education. All thanks to the power of football!
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An award-winning model…
Stage one – STREET FOOTBALL To begin with, we run a free weekly two-hour session in each of our locations. Anyone who is aged 16 to 25 and unemployed can attend. Award Winner 2013
Success in Partnership 2013
Young people meet Street League staff and other people in similar situations to themselves. They start to make new friends and are encouraged to think
constructively about what options they have available. We talk about life skills, about communication, confidence, teamwork and healthy living - but mostly, we play football. Then every three months we hold a selection day and find out who is ready to take the next step.
“I wasn’t doing much, just playing computer games and stuff, so when my friend told me about Street Football, I thought I may as well go along. It was free and good fun, and the Street League staff seemed really cool and friendly” – RYAN, LONDON graduate
young people are referred to us by partner organisations, such as Job Centre Plus and Youth Offending Teams, or by former academy graduates who have told their friends to get involved
WE follow a simple three-stage process… 6
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Stage TWO – THE ACADEMY
If a young person has consistently demonstrated the application and willingness to change their life, they will be invited to join the Street League Academy. The Academy programme runs for 16 hours per week Monday to Thursday over a twomonth period. It is run by a Progressions Co-ordinator, who oversees the careers and education programme, and a Youth and Community Coach, who is responsible for the football coaching.
“I would tell everyone about Street League because it would be the best eight weeks of their lives. I would recommend it due to the people you meet and also the fun you have on the course” – Nina, Manchester graduate 8
On the Academy, participants will develop valuable employability skills including goal-setting, CV-writing and interview techniques. In addition to this, they will also develop the transferable skills required to support their progression in areas such as communication, leadership and teamwork. Participants will achieve nationally recognised qualifications from leading awarding organisations such as The National Open College Network (NOCN), Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Sports Leaders UK. There are also opportunities to earn coaching badges from The Football Association or Scottish Football Association.
Companies that support us also provide employees to stage mock interviews, so Academy participants can prepare for the job market in “No two days are the same a safe environment where on the Street League Academy they are guaranteed to get programme. We want all our feedback and ongoing support. young people to have fun and At the end of the Academy, we hold a Graduation Day where participants talk about their experiences at Street League and about their plans for the future.
go home smiling, but at the same time, it is important they are focused on what they want to achieve in life” – Andy, Progressions Co-ordinator, Hartlepool
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#ChangeLivesThroughFootball
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Stage THREE – GRADUATE CUP When a young person gets a job or moves into training, we know that this is where the real hard work starts. Street League staff are on hand to provide aftercare and support to our graduates for up to six months. We offer weekly football sessions alongside ongoing support and guidance, so graduates can keep in touch and talk about
We’re proud of our track record…
their new experiences in a safe environment. We also stage a Graduate Cup tournament so friends can stay in touch and support each other. We always maintain a comprehensive database of outcomes from our programmes, so we can monitor impact and improve our systems whenever necessary.
“Street League are different to other employability programmes. EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED THE PROGRAMME, they don’t forget about you. They are still there to support you, if you need it, months later” – LLOYD, LANARKSHIRE graduate 12
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81.25% PROGRESS INTO EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION OR OR TRAINING
864
90%
young people started our Academy programmes
feel that they have more positive links within their local community as a result of participating in our programmes
Between April 2012 and March 2013...
3375
86%
of young people who attended Academies made improvements to their health
Qualifications were achieved by participants completing our Academies
391
EMPLOYMENT
703
SUSTAINMENT
ACHIEVED A POSITIVE OUTCOME
211 EDUCATION
Young people completed a work experience placement with an employer
101 TRAINING
74%
SUSTAINED THEIR OUTCOME FOR AT LEAST THREE MONTHS
548
young people took part in volunteering activities within their local communities
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CASE STUDIES NINA
Nina had had been unemployed since leaving college and was struggling to find paid work, which had affected her confidence and motivation. She spoke to Street League staff at her local Job Centre and immediately thought the programme might be for her. During the Academy, Nina’s attendance record was exemplary but she faced many challenges, such as planning and leading sessions, putting together her CV and completing coursework. However, with the support of staff and fellow participants, she overcame these challenges and continued to work with Street League staff after the Academy finished, attending one-to-one appointments and job club. She was successful in gaining several interviews and is now working at a school, as well as continuing to volunteer and running a local girls’ group. She said: “I would tell everyone about Street League
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because it would be the best eight weeks of their lives. I would recommend it due to the people you meet and also the fun you have on the course. It has been great to keep in touch with Street League after the course, and receive ongoing support.”
ALEX
Alex was 18 when he was referred to Street League by the local Job Centre in September 2011. During one-to-ones with his Progression Coordinator, it became obvious that Alex was an intelligent young man who had gone through a difficult time. It was during his A Level studies that Alex became embroiled with the wrong crowd and lost his motivation. His referral to Street League occurred within six months of him leaving school where because of his deteriorating behaviour and the distractions and bad influences surrounding him, he achieved disappointing results. On the Academy, Alex quickly established himself
as a well-liked member of the group and on several occasions displayed a level of maturity that belied his young age. He was subsequently put forward for a work experience opportunity with TM Lewin. Despite having little work experience, he sailed through the recruitment process and was one of five young people selected for work placements. He so impressed during his time at the company that he was subsequently offered a permanent position and has been with TM Lewin for over a year. Alex is also a Young Trustee on the Street League board, and has represented the charity on national television.
MICHAEL
Michael admits he was “not doing a lot" before Street League. He explained: "There is only so much you can do when living on Job Seeker’s Allowance. I had no routine, I had no motivation and no real plan in place as to what the next step would be for me. I love playing football but even that stopped because I couldn’t afford to play.” He saw an advert for Street League at his local Job Centre and thought the scheme was “too good to be true”. During his time with Street League, he obtained paid work as a sessional coach for a local football club and as a care worker for a disabled gentleman. Eventually he applied for a position as Youth and Community Coach with Street League, and he is now delivering the Ardwick Academy in central Manchester. Michael said: “Street League has given me a focus and drive to want to succeed in my career and in life.”
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WILL
Will, 20, left school with good grades in 2008 but struggled to find permanent work and drifted in and out of temporary labouring and administration roles for almost three years. He had always enjoyed football and initially joined Street League’s ‘Street Football’ sessions with some friends. However further short stints of work prevented him taking the next step and joining the Street League Academy, so it was another year before he committed to the eight-week programme after meeting staff from the charity at the Job Centre. From day one on the Academy, Will showed real drive and determination, saying ‘yes’ to every opportunity and updating his CV. When Barclays staff visited the Academy to deliver a ‘Money Skills’ personal finance session, Will made such a good impression that he was invited to an informal meeting with
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the branch manager, and later an interview. In May 2012 he was appointed to a full-time role, and since then has returned to Street League on several occasions to deliver the same Money Skills programme which he underwent. Will is also a Young Trustee who sits on the Street League board.
ROWAN
Rowan left school at 17 in 2007 with “one or two GCSEs” and no real focus on his future. He did not have good relationships with teachers and felt he never received positive feedback. One teacher told Rowan: “You will end up in prison.” This reinforced a cycle of disruptive behaviour and further negative feedback. Rowan could not wait to leave education, and became part of a gang. For two years he pursued this lifestyle until in February 2009 he received a 15-month sentence. He did not study in prison and spent six months following release in limbo, not even
signing on for benefits until his probation officer referred him to Street League. Rowan settled well into the Academy, was always punctual and actively encouraged other participants over the eight weeks. He gained three qualifications and, after graduating, decided to apply for the post of Apprentice Coach at Street League. Rowan called this his “first real job” and he subsequently went on to become a Youth and Community Coach with the charity. While at Street League, Rowan was selected as a Young Ambassador for the Beyond Sport London 2012 summit, where he met Muhammad Ali and David Beckham, and he is now working with another charity helping young people.
WHERE TO FIND US...
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There are 24 Academy TEAMS across NINE regions
Each Academy TEAM runs four ACADEMIES PER year. That's 96 ACADEMIES IN TOTAL
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GLASGOW LANARKSHIRE
We offer five nationallyrecognised qualifications on the Academy programme
2000
EDINBURGH
INVERCLYDE
TEES VALLEY
MANCHESTER LIVERPOOL BIRMINGHAM
LEEDS SHEFFIELD NOTTINGHAM
Street League will be in 14 regions by THE end of 2015, helping 2000 UNEMPLOYED young people each year progress into WORK, EDUCATION and training
LONDON
TO BE CONFIRMED
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Commission us
How you can get involved with Street League We are supported by a wide range of people and organisations – from individuals who fundraise or volunteer to large companies who see Street League as an essential partner for their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. We also work closely with public sector organisations, and trusts and foundations. Here are some ideas on how you can support us:
Employee engagement Your employees share their skills with our Academy participants to make a real difference, and at the same time increase motivation and teamwork across your workforce. Mock interviews, CV-writing, job searching and motivational speeches are just some of the ways in which they can support us.
Donate Whether it's £5 or £500, every pound goes towards helping change lives through football. Visit www.justgiving.com/streetleague
Work experience Support our participants by offering work placements and traineeships at the end of each quarterly Academy. We run a number of highly successful schemes at a local level across the UK with a variety of national companies.
Buy a Soccer AM t-shirt During the 2013-14 season, proceeds from the sale of Soccer AM t-shirts will support the work of Street League. Sponsor our work Fund an Academy or Street Football sessions throughout the year. Come and meet the young people whose lives you are turning around. Hear them speak in public at a graduation event as they progress into work and training.
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Football tournaments Want an alternative to an annual ball to entertain your valued clients? Why not run a football tournament for up to 25 teams as a great way of networking and entertaining your clients or suppliers. We have run events like this for a number of years for over 250 guests at high-profile indoor venues with great success.
Do you work in the public sector? Street League deliver Academy programmes commissioned by a large range of public sector organisations including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Skills Development Scotland, Further Education (FE) Colleges and local authorities in both England and Scotland. For more details, please contact our Head of Contracts at info@streetleague.co.uk or on 07584 504969.
Charity of the year Does your company support a charity? If so, we would love to talk to you. With a national presence, a host of exciting employee engagement opportunities and a highly relevant cause in youth unemployment, we would do you proud.
Challenge events Whether you want to run a mile or a marathon, climb a mountain or swim the channel, we would be honoured if you did it for Street League.
For more details, please contact our Commercial Director at info@streetleague.co.uk or on 07887 414261.
Trusts and Foundations
Street League is funded by a number of grant-giving organisations. To discuss how you can help change the lives of young people who are facing the biggest barriers to employment, please contact our Head of Grants at info@streetleague.co.uk or on 07540 723975.
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www.streetleague.co.uk 20
@Street_League
facebook.com/streetleagueuk
England Charity No: 1101313 | Scotland Charity No: SCO38884