Putting athlete mentors shoulder to shoulder with young people, equipping them with a winning mindset that’s ready to achieve – it’s a teammate like no other. Over the past year, the partnership has created opportunities for students in 10 Sheffield secondary schools, supported a group of young adults to play a leading role in championing wellbeing in their communities, as well as engaging primary school pupils in years 5 and 6 throughout the region in wellbeing activities focusing on their transition to secondary school. The programmes launch again in November with a further 10 secondary schools, as well as working with more young leaders at the English Institute of Sport.

Powering Potential, Shaping Futures – highlights include:

• 178 Young People mentored by world class athletes through transformational programmes. Over half of which were girls (51%) and 48% came from ethnically diverse backgrounds

• 50% of the schools engaged are located in the top 5% most deprived wards in the country and over 80% of the young people taking part in On Track to Achieve live in the 40% most deprived area of the country

• Teachers reported students’ confidence in their ability to achieve more than doubled; poor behaviour and attendance also went down

• As a result of already being active in the city, through the Youth Endowment Fund, the Trust has brought an additional £50,000 to Sheffield to deliver 1:1 mentoring for young people at risk of criminal activity

• Participants on the Young Leaders programme enjoyed an opportunity to meet South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard to discuss his vision for wellbeing in the region; as well as delivering wellbeing activities at Move More’s Olympic Legacy in Action event in June – accessible to upwards of 1,000 people

With The Prince’s Trust recent ‘Class of Covid’ report showing increasing decline in young people’s hopes and aspirations for the future – 51% feel their aspirations for the future are lower now as a result of global events since 2020, such as the pandemic and now a cost of living crisis; with half feeling anxious about their future on a daily basis – the need to provide on the ground support in local communities is greater than ever before.

Closely aligned with the Move More Sheffield strategy, the Trust is collaborating with local delivery partners, including Sheffield United Community Foundation. The programmes highlight the important link between physical and mental wellbeing, and provide the young people with practical ways to incorporate both into everyday life. Delivered by world-class athletes – some of the region’s finest home-grown talent, including Paul Broadbent, former England rugby league international and challenge cup winner with Sheffield Eagles, and James Kirton, former GB Olympic and world championship swimmer – who have been trained up by the Trust to use their unique experience from the world of competitive sport to mentor young people.

Dave Capper, CEO Westfield Health said: “We all know how much of a difference it makes when you have someone in your corner fighting for you, encouraging you and challenging you to be the best you can. It’s transformational. We’re so proud to be a part of this inspirational programme that not only champions wellbeing but harnesses the power of having a personal champion to help young people reach their potential.”

James Kirton, former GB Olympic and world champion swimmer commented: “My day job may no longer be as an elite swimmer, but I am now lucky enough to be a coach and a mentor to the next generation, passing on this knowledge and skills to young people who are grappling with so many complexities, all over the country, the Steel City included. It’s been great to work with Westfield Health, an organisation which is really interested in benefitting their local area and their city.”

Ben Hilton, CEO Dame Kelly Holmes Trust added: “We’re thrilled with the positive impact we have had in year one of the partnership with Westfield Health, an organisation which shares our values and aspirations for young people. We’re really excited about the next stage and looking forward to supporting even more young people across the Sheffield region as we continue to grow and expand our network here.”

We’re looking forward to the first programmes in the second year of the partnership starting on 28th November at the English Institute for Sport. Ten schools will be joining us on the day to meet their athlete mentors and volunteers from Westfield Health to start their programmes.