HeadStart Action

Applications for HeadStart Action 2022-24 have now closed!

About the programme

HeadStart Action uses youth-led social action, mentoring and employer encounters to elevate youth voice and participation, engage and inspire young people, giving them the skills, experience and connections, they need to get ahead in education and the world of work.  

HeadStart Action is a geographically and demographically focused youth led social action and employability programme targeted at marginalised young people aged 14 to 18, who are or at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) and require greater support. Through youth-led social action and mentoring the programme enables young people to become active citizens, gain confidence, employability skills, aid their personal development and gain work experience.  

Throughout 2020-2021, London Youth in partnership with the Mayor of London and the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) worked with ten grassroots community youth organisations to deliver HeadStart Action R2 to over 300 young people across eight London boroughs.

Background to HeadStart Action

HeadStart Action, supported by the Mayor of London, was developed by the Mayor’s Civil Society team, in partnership with community organisations. It is delivered in partnership with local organisations and London employers. The programme provides bespoke support to young people to engage in education or employment. Delivering a social action project helps them to gain confidence, develop employability and soft skills and remain engaged in education or employment.  

It was developed alongside the award-winning HeadStart London programme which supports 16-18-year-olds to bridge the gap between education and employment. 

‘HeadStart Action has given a greater insight into our value as a charity and the work we do with the most vulnerable. It has highlighted our untapped ‘niche’ in the area of mentoring and the impact in Waltham Forest.’  – Monwara, Director WFCHub 

The programme will run for two years as part of the Mayor’s New Deal for Young People. Building on the existing programme we are seeking to develop a consistent employability offer for all participants, while enabling local organisations to effectively support young people in their communities.

For more information and ways to get involved contact: [email protected]