Champions is an innovative programme supporting young people, aged 10-25 with experience of or at risk of offending behaviours. The programme is delivered by nine football club community organisations (CCOs) across Lancashire.
Adopting a trauma informed approach, mentors give their time with genuine interest to create a trusted relationship and innovative approaches which promote personal development, wellbeing gains and consequently reducing their experience of offending and antisocial behaviours. The programme is confidential and non-judgemental. Mentors don’t work for the police and aren’t involved in criminal proceedings.
Participation is voluntary, subject to assessment of suitability and relies on a positive approach from the mentor, the young person and others involved in their support network.
The Champions team provide opportunities and activities which help young people achieve their goals. These might include practical help to get job ready, identifying and accessing training opportunities, support into health services, helping to improve their school/college attendance or just engaging in activities that are fun!
The programme focuses on progression at the client’s pace and objectives set by them. The team provide support for as long as required, providing participants are engaging and working positively towards their goals.
Referrals to the programme can be made via the below links.
Champions is currently being delivered through 9 CCOs across Lancashire:
In 2023, Lancaster University, through The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast (ARC NWC), in partnership with Progress Health Partnerships Ltd, conducted an independent evaluation of the Champions programme. The comprehensive review highlighted the programme’s success in addressing a critical gap in support for at-risk young people. The increasing demand and growing waiting lists underscore the lack of alternative provisions for these vulnerable individuals, validating the programme’s relevance and necessity.
The evaluation revealed significant positive outcomes for participants, including improved mental health, better behaviour, and enhanced school engagement among young clients. For adults aged 18-25, the impact extended far beyond the criminal justice system, influencing broader societal outcome when participants engaged proactively. Since its inception, the youth programme has supported over 600 clients under 18 (since April 2021), while the adult programme has engaged with more than 1,300 clients aged 18+ (since January 2020), demonstrating the programme’s scale and reach.
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