Story
Young people who have made the difficult journey to the UK face many challenges common to starting a life somewhere new.
These young people face barriers to progression - most notably within the education system. They are required to enroll in school immediately, often with little to no English language skills or support to prepare them for this experience. This is made worse by recent budget cuts that have slashed funding for tailored classroom assistance.
This is where Springboard Youth Academy comes in: they bridge the gap to provide the necessary support that is lacking in the mainstream school system. Springboard does this through an innovative and exiting summer programme for young asylum-seekers and refugees who have recently arrived in the UK, with three key features:
- Experiential Learning: Workshop-style teaching to rehearse for life (incorporating drama and arts).
- Life Skills: From navigating Transport for London, to sexual health literacy, to understanding their legal rights.
- Holistic Support: Mental health counselling, legal advocacy to help them access services, mentoring, and sports/field trips.
This summer, Springboard will be hosting a programme tailored for alumni. Graduates of Springboard have often come back to serve as ambassadors - assisting the new participants in their journeys. Springboard staff are excited to be able to deliver a week of activities and learning for the young people who have given back to the programme over the last few years - and provide an opportunity for them to get together again.
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