Strike 4 Life Programme

The Strike 4 Life Programme is a Burnley Borough Council Initiative where Whitefield Youth Association is a major partner in the development and implementation of the programme.

The programme is delivered over a 4 week timeframe targeting 16-25 year olds that are currently unemployed, not in further education, are from troubled backgrounds and / or at risk of offending.

The aims of the programme are to use Football as the incentive to engage young people on to courses, seminars and qualification certificates in order to provide the participants with qualifications and experience to gain employment in the sport, leisure and recreation industry.

This initiative is delivered in Burnley and young people that may benefit from this programme are identified either through consultation with referral agencies or the young people themselves. It is well known that sport can be used as a tool to help engage, integrate and educate people.

The aims of the Strike 4 Life Programme are:

• To use sport, and in particular football, as the incentive to engage young people on to personal development programmes where accreditation can be gained through the various courses that are delivered during the programme.
• To enhance the opportunities of employment and access to further training.
• To develop Personal Development Opportunities in order that the young people participating can develop their experiences and enhance their life opportunities.

Partnerships

A partnership approach is utilised in the delivery aspect of the programme. It is normal practice that there could be up to 15 agencies involved, WYA believe in enhancing and maintaining strong positive relationships in order that young people may benefit from the services available from all the agencies. This way of working ensures that a more cohesive and focussed approach is practiced and there is no replication of service delivery.

Quotes

"I thought I would never amount to anything, by completing this project and through the help WYA has given me, I have changed the way I see myself, I am more positive about my future."

"With WYA's support I have turned my life around, I want to do the same for other young people who are in similar positions as I was before I joined this programme."

"I am more hopeful about my future now, I know where to get help from."