Journey to Employment
Since 2021:
We’ve invested £2.4m in partnerships reaching over 2,700 young people [1]
At least 368 young people moved into employment, education or training [2]
Our partnership with The Change Foundation consistently supported over 80% of participants into education, employment or training. [3]
We expanded our employability work with Berkeley Group. [4]
Case Studies
Lord’s Taverners: Empowering Young People to Build Life-Long Skills and Develop Friendships Through Inclusive Cricket
Our partnership funds the Super 1s cricket programme.
Charlie (16) lives with autism, ADHD and complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Throughout his childhood he found it hard to fit in anywhere and his needs were often misunderstood. This led to failed school placements, severe bullying and a struggle to find friendships.
The sudden passing of an early childhood friend and his cousin in the space of a year left him distraught. These events led to increased feelings of isolation and had a hugely negative impact on his mental health and emotional wellbeing.
But things began to change in April 2023 when Charlie discovered Super 1s at a Surrey CCC Young Carers Day. After his first session, he instantly felt valued and accepted for who he was. His self-harming stopped, confidence grew and his relationship with his family improved.
Progress continued and in 2024 he participated in the employability offering that Super 1s and Surrey Cricket Foundation has created. The impact the subsequent workshops and work experience had on him was, in his own words, lifechanging. He created his CV and discovered his own strengths for the first time, which helped him see a pathway for his future.
Now, Charlie continues to play and coach, and is looking for opportunities to showcase the skills he’s learned through a role in cricket. He's even started his first part-time paid position at his local youth club.
“Through Super 1s, I was given the tools to rebuild my life and opportunities I never thought possible. They even provided me with employability skills training and work experience at the Oval.”
Street Elite: Using Sport and Long-Term Mentoring to Re-Engage Young People
The Street Elite programme is delivered by The Change Foundation. Hisham graduated in 2025.
“Before joining Street Elite, I was pursuing a carpentry apprenticeship. I had invested two years and was close to becoming fully qualified when my employer went out of business. At just 18, I found myself without direction.
While trying to find work, I got caught up in the wrong crowd and eventually found myself on bail, wearing a tag and waiting four years for trial. That’s when I was introduced to Tanayah Sam, the head coach at Street Elite.
The programme offered more than just activities - it provided consistent, year-round guidance. Tanayah spoke to me with respect and understanding, treating me like an adult, which made it easier to open up.
Being on bail took a serious toll on my mental health. I had always felt pressure to “be a man” and hide how I felt, but the support I received through Street Elite helped me realise that strength also means knowing when to ask for help.
Over time, I began to unravel the mental barriers I had built and started to rediscover who I was. Through sport, I developed key life skills - teamwork, leadership, discipline, and resilience.
Today, I am a fully qualified carpenter, and outside of work I’ve committed myself to personal development through martial arts and football. I am determined to continue growing, giving back, and using my journey to inspire others who might be facing similar challenges.”
Our Partners
Imperial College London
Imperial College London runs the Maker Challenge programme, where young people from London’s White City area can design and make their own inventions – from the initial idea to the finished product. Our partnership also offers a range of work experience placements, career insight days, industry tours and workshops.
The Change Foundation
Our Strategic Partnership with The Change Foundation started in 2011. It funds the Street Elite programme, which uses the power of sport to help young people affected by crime, violence and inequality re‑engage with education or move into employment. Over 80% of young people successfully move on into employment, education or training each year.
BANG
BANG is an organisation dedicated to developing young people to lead initiatives that create positive change in their communities. This partnership is driven by colleagues from the local Berkeley office, building connections through a range of staff engagements.
Streets of Growth
Streets of Growth is a dynamic grassroots charity organisation in East London. It supports young people aged 15-21 who are facing harms including violence, criminality, and exploitation. This partnership is driven by colleagues from the local Berkeley office, building connections through a range of staff engagements.
Switchback
Switchback supports young men to find a way out of the justice system and build a stable, rewarding life they can be proud of. This partnership is driven by colleagues from the local Berkeley office, building connections through a range of staff engagements.