Football Journeys School Programme

About Project

FJ creates positive and life-changing experiences for young people affected by increasing community division in London. We use the common language of football and the medium of filmmaking to unite young people through shared experiences where they discover their potential, improve emotional self-regulation, build positive relationships with adults and peers and develop interpersonal communication and problem solving skills. We do this through our key programme: FJ Schools, our 16-week exchange programme for young people (13-14 years old). The programme have a strong focus on supporting mental health and wellbeing and building social skills and resilience.

Programme activities:

• 16 weekly 90-minute after school sessions for a cohort of 18-20 young people;

• Community interview and filming trips, supporting young people to gather content which is edited into a short film about their locality;

• Screenings of their short film at their partner schools/PRUs;

• Inter-community football exchanges where the groups travel and meet other groups of young people and play football together;

• National Open College Network Level 1 Youth Leadership qualification;

• Celebration and awards ceremony to acknowledge the young people’s achievements.

The programme will support young people to develop communication skills, increase their openness and build a deeper understanding of their own value and the consequences of unhelpful or reactive decisions. It will address the root causes of being affected by violence by building skills, aspirations, confidence, empathy, self-esteem, wellbeing, and positive relationships.