About the programme
HeadStart Action is a personal and social development programme for young people who are at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). HeadStart Action bridges the link between social action and employability, to engage and inspire young people, giving them the skills, experience and connections they need to get ahead in the world of work.
Throughout 2020-2021, London Youth in partnership with the Mayor of London and the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is working with the following ten grassroots community youth organisations to deliver HeadStart Action to 300 young people across eight London boroughs:
- 2-3 Degrees (Southwark)
- AlexZ Educational (Brent)
- Reaching Higher (Croydon)
- Hackney Quest (Hackney)
- Leaders in Community (Tower Hamlets)
- Play Place Innov8 (Croydon)
- Salmon Youth Centre (Southwark)
- The Somerville (Lewisham)
- Spiral Skills (Lambeth)
- Waltham Forest Community Hub (Waltham Forest)
Background to HeadStart Action
HeadStart Action, supported by the Mayor of London, was developed by The Challenge, in partnership with Team London. Building on the success of the model, HeadStart Action was piloted in Southwark during 2018 and in partnership with The Challenge, the Mayor of London and Lendlease. To date 100% of young people who took part in the pilot have remained in education.
[Since taking part in the programme] ‘Students have worked together more as a cohesive whole. They are more confident in trying new things and they have dearly valued the programme. For some individuals, this programme has completely transformed them and they are now successful in their GCSEs.’ – Joe Lane – Teacher, Harris Academy Peckham
Following the pilot, as part of the first round of the Mayor’s Young Londoners Fund (YLF), HeadStart Action expanded to four additional boroughs and has supported over 400 young people to complete the programme.
‘I have a changed view on a lot of things. I can work with other people, and I am finding new things out about myself. I can listen and understand people more. I feel that I have opened up’ – HeadStart Action (Round 1) graduate, The City of London Academy.’
For more information email teean.smith-robinson@londonyouth.org
