Tackling Poverty and Empowering Young People Through Sport

There is a youth unemployment crisis in Great Britain. Whilst headlines are telling us about record lows in unemployment, youth unemployment is currently almost triple the national average (10.8% compared to 3.8%). In a classroom of 30 students, this means that at least three young people are currently destined to be unemployed and to bear the lasting scars of unemployment, from poorer mental health to low financial security.

This unemployment crisis has been exasperated by the coronavirus pandemic and a cost-of-living emergency, and young people living in poverty are twice as likely to be out of work. This is a crucial time to give younger generations the hope they need for the future. That’s where Street League comes in.

Street League’s vision is a society in which all young people have the opportunity of secure employment and a brighter future, and they use the power of sport to tackle poverty and equip young people with the skills needed to succeed in life and the workplace.

Kirsty Steven, Director of Operations at Street League said:

"We're seeing first-hand how tough it is for young people who face barriers to entering the workplace, like mental health issues and caring responsibilities. Even if they successfully move into work, the security of jobs just isn't there, which massively impacts their mental wellbeing and happiness."

“Street League works to support young people from a variety of backgrounds to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment and reach their goals, instilling a renewed sense of optimism for the future in a very uncertain climate. This has never been more needed, and we want to say a huge thank you to players of People's Postcode Lottery for raising over £5 million for Street League to date and playing a fundamental role in ensuring future generations can thrive, not just survive.”

The Power of Sport

Sport is at the heart of what Street League does; they use sport to engage young people who are anxious, overwhelmed and struggling to see an end to their unemployment. Sport is a natural way of building community and encouraging young people to get involved, whilst having fun. Not only does playing sports or taking part in physical activity improve your physical and mental wellbeing, it’s also a great way to develop and showcase key skills such as teamwork, decision making, focus, self-discipline, and so much more. All skills that are highly sought after in many aspects of life, including the workplace.

Street League believes that traditional education is not the only route to a successful career and life, and support should not be one-size-fits-all. Working in schools, communities, and with employers, Street League supports each individual on their own journey, equipping them with the confidence, motivation, essential skills and qualifications needed to succeed in the world of work and beyond.

The Lasting Impact

In the last year, Street League has worked with over 2,800 young people in a variety of settings across the UK. Their programmes provide young people with the kickstart needed to build a brighter future.

“My advice to other people that are in the situation I was in is to just go for it. There is nothing to lose when joining Street League. The only way is up.” – Mark, Street League participant. 

As Mark says, the only way is up. Thank you for being part of shaping and building pathways for young people to reach their full potential. You can visit the Street League website by clicking here.