Last year, Street Elite gave hope and a future to 125 unemployed young people in London and Birmingham. Among them was Malaika, whose journey showcases the transformative power of this nine-month programme delivered by our Strategic Partner, The Change Foundation.
Through Street Elite, Malaika gained confidence, expanded her network, and embraced challenges that would shape her future. Driven by a passion for marketing, she secured £1,000 through the Street Elite Entrepreneur Fund to grow her tooth gem business, Sourire. She then completed a one-week marketing placement with St George, where she sharpened her business acumen and creative thinking.
Reflecting on her placement, Malaika said:
Since its inception in 2011, Street Elite has changed the lives of more than 1,000 young people. Its impact over the 2023–2024 period includes:
- 82% Success Rate: Of the 125 participants aged 17–25, 102 transitioned into employment, education, or training.
- Empowering Women: 50 participants were women, over half of whom were young mothers returning to work or launching careers.
- Inspiring Communities: Over 500 children attended Street Elite Festivals in London and Birmingham, exploring new sports and activities alongside local graduates.
The programme published a series of articles exploring the challenges and successes of engaging young unemployed people impacted by crime, violence, and inequality. To see some of these articles, check out: Berkeley Foundation News and Events.
Street Elite will be repeating its work across London and Birmingham in 2025, aiming to support over 100 young people. 100% of the Street Elite coaching team will be graduates or people with lived experience to the client group.
Through programmes like Street Elite, we continue to unlock potential, transform lives, and build stronger communities.