Increasing Youth Opportunities
Young Readers
Lack of literacy holds back one in five young people in London, seriously preventing educational success. There is wide agreement that early support is most effective so our literacy champions will help children aged three to five and their families to make a positive start with storytelling and reading together. The programme is running in 12 London boroughs and will support more than 2,000 families.
- Become a Literary Champion or a Literary Ambassador.
Active London
Over half of the population in London is described as ‘inactive’, defined as taking less than 30 minutes exercise a month. Our programme offers volunteers in every London borough the chance to train as coaches, officials and sports leaders to encourage people to become more active. At least 1,000 volunteers will acquire a relevant qualification and in return will provide more than 25,000 hours of volunteer service within their communities.
Love Latin
Only 25 per cent of state schools offer some sort of classics provision in comparison to over 70 per cent of independent schools. Team London's Love Latin project is looking for volunteers to offer one-off or more regular teaching sessions, either to primary or secondary school age children. Training and teaching materials are provided and the programme involves a cultural tie-up with the British Museum. The first phase of the programme will be active in 60 schools and reach 2,500 children.
Business and Enterprise Mentoring
One in five young people in London (one in four in inner boroughs) live in workless households, the highest rate of any UK region. Young people are also facing the highest rates of unemployment recorded over the past 25 years. Providing them with professional role models and equipping them with the skills and guidance to approach working life is vital to the economic success of London. As a volunteer with the Business and Enterprise Mentoring programme you can help young people develop an understanding of the business world or offer your skills to a recently established community enterprise.
- Find mentoring opportunities in your borough, mentor as a business or an individual or volunteer with Brick Box who received a Team London Small Grant to develop its business mentoring programme.
Parenting
High numbers of families in London face challenging circumstances. This is especially relevant for London where nearly half of all families with dependent children are headed by a lone parent and child poverty remains high. Positive parenting and a home environment that supports learning are important protective factors for children growing up in challenging circumstances which might otherwise lead to poor outcomes. Parent Gym equips parents with techniques to give their children the best possible start in life. Parents are supported by volunteers, all parents themselves, who are given free training to support and coach families in their communities through fun and free sessions.
