Abianda is a London-based charity that works with young women and girls affected by criminal exploitation and violence and provides training for the professionals who work with them. Our vision is that young women and girls are free from oppression and harm caused by criminal exploitation and violence. Our mission is to support young women harmed by criminal exploitation and violence to develop independence and agency. We do this through the provision of specialist one-to-one, group work and contextual safeguarding services; and working with national and local services to challenge and change their approaches, through the delivery of our training and systems change programmes
Abianda’s Star Project offers support and advocacy for young women and girls aged 13 to 25 in the borough of Islington. Our solution-focused, strengths-based sessions are led by young women and support them to develop their critical thinking, move closer to their desired outcomes and create the changes they want to see in their lives.
Stepping Stones (Luton) was founded in 2008. Our mission is to support women and girls facing various challenges and vulnerabilities, having experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and requiring support to overcome trauma and rebuild their sense of safety and self-worth. We aim to equip them with the skills, hope and resources they need to make positive life changes. Young women and girls vulnerable to exploitation, such as trafficking or involvement in gangs, need guidance and protection to navigate away from harmful situations and access resources for a safer future, whilst those struggling with mental health issues require specialised care and counselling to address their emotional well-being and develop coping strategies.
We are passionate and committed to enable women access the right support, and empower all the women who come to us, from whichever source, with the strength to recover from trauma and to create the opportunity and freedom to enable them to transform their life and the lives of their children and family. We aim to support women to make positive changes, overcome physical and mental sickness, promote good health, and improve self-esteem and confidence. We work hard to create an environment where women feel safe and can share their experiences without fear of judgment. We aim to create the opportunity for women to be listened to and receive positive support and appropriate challenge from each other and the keyworkers on site.
Clean Break is a women’s theatre company based in North London, changing lives and changing minds – on stage, in prison and in the community. Our vision is of a society where all women can realise their full potential, free from criminalisation. The grant will be used to deliver Clean Break’s Young Company – a creative programme for young women aged 18-25 years old who have experience of, or who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system.
The year-long programme will focus on theatre skills training alongside personal development and space for healing, delivered by a trauma-informed team of artists, support practitioners and drama school partners. The young people will support the development of, and perform in, a new short play by BRIT graduate, performer and writer, Emma Dennis-Edwards.
The Daddyless Daughters Project CIC creates both physical and emotional safe spaces for girls and young women aged 11–25 who have experienced family breakdown, abuse or adversity. Our work is rooted in research, lived experience, and therapeutic practice, offering a range of services including one-to-one and group mentoring, creative expression projects, community events, trauma-informed training, and educational workshops.
This grant will support the expansion of our Sister Squad trauma-informed mentoring outreach program, delivered by trained mentors with lived experience across London. The program provides trauma-informed tailored interventions for fatherless girls and young women with complex emotional and social needs, helping them build healthier patterns of behaviour, form positive relationships, and reduce the risks of criminal or sexual exploitation.
Anawim – Birmingham’s Centre for Women offers gender and trauma – responsive wraparound support for any woman in need. We support more than 2,000 women in Birmingham every year through free therapeutic counselling, crisis intervention, holistic and intensive long-term specialist support and other practical resources, both in the community and in prison.
Our grant will be used to transform the lives and life chances of vulnerable young women aged 18-24 who are at risk or have been involved in the criminal justice system and have a history of offending, through trauma-informed, age and gender sensitive and culturally responsive interventions (holistic casework, Venus programme, counselling), leading to effective rehabilitation and reduced re-offending.
SAY Women is a charity in Glasgow which dedicates its service to supporting young women aged 16 to 25 who are survivors of sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We provide safe semi-supported accommodation, crisis intervention and emotional support. The Community Justice project supports young women as they navigate the criminal justice system during their most vulnerable time, offering support with reporting, court hearings and all legal liaisons when they need the guidance the most to fully understand the legal procedure. Having the extra support in place allows the young women to better cope with trauma and change their belief in the justice system as victims.
The project is also aimed to work as an intervention service for young women who have come into conflict with the law themselves, as a result of trauma, to make better positive life choices and support better coping mechanisms. The aim is to support young women and give them back their power to break the cycle of trauma and criminality and become a positive and successful individual. Alongside the other resources available, the community justice project forms part of the wrap-around service, to ensure all support is available for young women to develop the necessary well-being to progress.
This project focuses on youth diversion to prevent crime by using sports-based mentoring. By engaging young people in sports, 3PP addresses risk factors for youth crime, such as poor social skills, negative peer groups, and psychological wellbeing. The programme integrates positive role models and community power to develop teamwork, communication, and self-control.
This project specifically focuses on the Nottingham and Sneinton areas, in collaboration with local police, youth justice services, and social care teams. The aim is to offer second chances and help young men overcome early trauma for a positive future.
The 180 Project is a charitable organisation based in Lancashire that uses the sport of CrossFit with Educationand life coachingto transform lives. People get physically, mentally, emotionally well, and socially connected.
Our grant will fund our Youth Crew project which aims to change the behaviour of young people who are engaging in low-level criminal activity and prevent them from getting caught up in a cycle of crime.
Action Youth Boxing Intervention (AYBI) is a grassroots community organisation empowering young people through sports. We formulate programmes based on cognitive behavioural therapy, rational behaviour therapy, social life skills, and motivation.
Our grant will be used to deliver our alternative education, training and employability program alongside our boxing intervention. Our aim is to empower young people so they can break the cycle of criminality which allows them to make positive life choices, helps them to change their belief system and prepares them for a successful life away from crime.
Exit Foundation is an organisation based in East London which is dedicated to providing support to those ready to exit a life of crime and gang-related activity. Through our tailored mentoring program, wrap-around sports and fitness programmes and gang awareness training, we help young people develop the tools they need to progress into employment, training, and education. Founded by Paul. who has lived experience of the criminal justice system and gangs. our founder and mentors draw on their own personal experiences and interpersonal skills to support young offenders and those at risk of offending to grow in self-belief and to make positive choices.
Our grant will be used to deliver intensive mentoring and sport for development programmes to children and young people living in Newham and Redbridge and who are referred to us by the Probation and Youth Justice services. Through a 16-week programme of mentoring and coaching we aim to support behaviour change, reduce mentees’ involvement in crime and violence and support young people known to the Criminal Justice System into education, training or employment.
Saints Foundation is the charity of Southampton Football Club. Saints Foundation dedicates its service to supporting those most in need within Southampton. We provide life-changing opportunities and resources to help the city and its communities thrive. We support Southampton by delivering projects that respond to the ever-evolving needs of the people of our city. We deliver fifteen projects across five key areas: Health, Education, Gender Equality, Employability and Pathways. Our vision is creating a city where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
Our grant will enable the extension of our Saints Switching Play project. Switching Play supports young people, referred by the Youth Justice Service, on a 1-2-1 basis, using sport as a hook to provide mentoring support. The project aims to engage participants with a positive role model, raise their aspirations and ultimately reduce youth offending.
TSA Sports and Education is a community interest company formed in 2019 to provide positive and engaging opportunities for personal growth, where young people can learn, have fun, and develop essential life skills. We believe that by providing young people with the support, guidance, and opportunities they need, we can help steer them away from negative influences and towards a bright and promising future. We believe in the limitless potential of every child and young person, and we are committed to empowering them to reach their goals. Whether it’s through sports, education, or personal development, our programs are designed to inspire and support young people in their journey to becoming confident and responsible individuals. Our impact is already being felt in the lives of countless children and young people, and we are excited to continue this important work for many years to come. Together, let’s build a brighter future for all.
Our Sport 4 Development program engages vulnerable young people, particularly from black and minoritized communities, who are at risk of entering the criminal justice system. By combining sports activities such as cricket, football, and boxing with mentoring and personal development, we help participants build trust, improve their physical and mental health, and set achievable goals in education, employment, and relationships. Our targeted outreach through police, youth offending teams, and community organizations ensures we connect with those at the highest risk, while end-of-program events provide motivational experiences that reinforce positive changes.
Although the program began in 2024, it builds on our extensive experience working with key partners like West Midlands Police and Birmingham Youth Offending Service. We are already seeing promising engagement from participants. The program is overseen and delivered by a team of specialist coaches and mentors who ensure its success through close monitoring and evaluation.