SWFCCP launches SAFE Mentoring Project to support vulnerable youth

Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme has joined forces with Learn Sheffield and the Department for Education (DfE) to run a new mentoring project that will support vulnerable young people at risk of exclusion, criminal exploitation, low attendance, low attainment and serious violence across Sheffield. 

Twenty secondary schools will benefit from the project with SWFCCP’s four new Youth Mentors providing 118 young people 1-1 support every week to create long-lasting behaviour change through informal education and activities that promote healthy lifestyles. 

Ben Winter, Deputy Head of Community at SWFCCP said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Learn Sheffield, Department for Education and local secondary schools to provide intensive support for the most vulnerable young people in the city. Our focus is to change lives over continuous, sustained periods of engagement with young people and the SAFE Taskforce will allow us to bring an alternative form of provision to the school setting”. 

SWFCCP have previously provided 1:1 mentoring in the community for young people at risk of criminal exploitation in partnership with Sheffield Youth Justice Service, South Yorkshire Police, local schools and social care.  

One project, Onside Mentoring, has been backed by Premier League Charitable Fund, BBC Children in Need, PCC and VRU. The SAFE Taskforce will now allow them to implement this provision within the education environment. 

Paul Hebda, SWFCCP Youth & Integration Manager said: “By directly meeting with each of the schools, we have developed and shaped the schemes of work to suit the needs of each unique individual, ensuring the project is effective at helping those who need it the most.” 

For more information on the SAFE Mentoring Project, please contact: paul.hebda@swfc.co.uk