CF faced the difficulty of transition as a result of a managed move to a new school. This transition caused a lot of anxiety and concern with his own ability to socialize with new groups and authority figures.

Throughout the project CF developed his ability and confidence to communicate with peers and authority figures. This improved behaviour and self-esteem resulted in a change of behaviour outside of our session which culminated in a return to mainstream education.

“I wanted to attend the project because I wanted to play football and I had previously heard of the coaches delivering the session and heard it was a safe space.”

This young person has engaged incredibly well with the project, being a consistent attendee of sessions with a desire and attitude to gain as much as possible from the experience. CF has shown a gradual improvement in behaviour throughout the project and developed a number of coping mechanisms and skills. This improved behaviour and self-esteem resulted in a change of behaviour outside of our session in well which culminated in a return to mainstream education.

“ I had no friends and was in a PRU before coming to the sessions and now I have loads of friends and I’m back in school!”

Through her attendance at our project, she was able to talk through some of her issues with the coaches and she is being regularly advised on how she can regulate her behaviour and how she can harness her emotions and use it for more positive actions.

KO also participated in the Nightlife tournament alongside other young people at our girls' session every Wednesday.

From attending the project, KO’s behaviour and attitude have improved and she is now beginning to partake in her GCSE Mock and GCSE exams, something that was not projected for her before attending YAA Kicks.

KO engaged in the project positively which improved her attitude and behaviour, allowing her to sit her GCSE mock exams and her GCSE exams.