HeadStart Action

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). The programme was piloted in Southwark during March 2018, through a partnership between The Mayor of London, The Challenge and Lendlease. Following the pilot, as part of the first round of the Mayor of London’s Young Londoners Fund (YLF), HeadStart Action expanded to four additional boroughs and has supported over 400 young people. The programme uses social action and employer encounters to engage and inspire young people, giving them the skills, experience and connections they need to get ahead in the world of work.

London Youth is fortunate to be able to continue the delivery of HeadStart Action, through 12 of our grassroots member organisations who work with some of the most disadvantaged and at-risk young Londoners.

Please note that applications closed on 13 March 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

For any questions about the fund, please email HSA.applications@londonyouth.org

We will fund organisations which can demonstrate:

• A commitment to deliver the HeadStart Action Model.
• The need for capacity building support to effectively deliver the HeadStart Action programme.
• A turn-over of less than £500k (if you are a small grass-roots organisation/community hub that has a turnover higher than £500k, yet meet all other requirements for the programme, please email us before you submit your application).

We will fund projects which:

• Support at least 30 young people per organisation to take part in social action, whilst gaining the skills, experience and connections to get ahead in the workplace.
• Support young people who are at greater risk of failing to make a successful transition from school (or alternative education setting) into employment or higher education, with a focus on young people aged 14-18.
• Demonstrate creative and experimental ways of engaging this group of young people in social action and volunteering, tackling barriers and challenges to engagement.
• Demonstrate clearly how you will achieve and evidence the programme’s outcomes.
• Support young people to strengthen their skills and employability through a series of interactive, professional workshops, with at least one workshop to be co-delivered with an employer, and an interview for an appealing, engaging work experience opportunity or equivalent.