Since 2006 Spark2Life has supported nearly 40,000 young people to prevent their risk of harm. We have helped them create positive futures for themselves by avoiding criminal activity, providing new opportunities for them and making them feel valued and empowered. We don’t give up on them.

Our work stretches from mentoring to assemblies to community work; our approach is to reach young people wherever they’re at. Our Enhanced Prevention mentoring specifically has had a life-changing impact on the young people we work with. Last year alone, 90% of our young people who received mentoring did not reoffend, a clear reflection of what consistent and compassionate support can do. Our approach to mentoring is unique; it’s person-centred, trauma-informed and all our young people are treated with unconditional positive regard. Our young people feel safe with our staff, many of whom have lived experience of their own.

This year one of our Enhanced Prevention projects, Meaningful Mentoring, funded by the Youth Endowment Fund successfully passed its pilot stage. This is our largest contract to date with funds of £2.6m, it is equipping us to reach so many more young people who need our support.

The project itself is one-to-one mentoring of young people who are at risk of violence. We help young people reduce the likelihood of (re)offending, improve their relationship skills, and increase their engagement in education, training, and employment. The young people who receive the mentoring are identified by their schools, Youth Offending Services, or social services.

The project is conducted as a Randomised Control Trial, this means all the young people who are referred to the project are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives mentoring from Spark2Life, the other receive business as usual, where they continue to receive the usual support already being offered.  This method of evaluation is considered one of the best ways to determine what works (and what doesn’t) by researchers and academics.

Young people who receive the mentoring are provided with 12 months of enhanced one-to-one support from a specially trained caseworker or mentor. The mentoring includes:

Weekly (or more frequent) one-to-one sessions tailored to the young person’s needs

Consistent mentoring offers stability in what can often be a chaotic world. These sessions create a safe space where young people can open up, set goals, and build confidence. Over time, this regular connection helps them develop emotional resilience, improve decision-making, and take positive steps towards their future.

Advocacy and support at professional meetings

Whether it’s a Child in Need meeting, Child Protection conference, or Team Around the Family, having a mentor by their side ensures the young person’s voice is truly heard. Our mentors help translate complex processes, give reassurance, and advocate for the young person’s best interests, leading to more joined-up, effective support from professionals.

Help to attend important appointments and practical support

Navigating solicitor meetings or court hearings can be daunting, especially for young people facing multiple challenges. We provide both emotional and practical support, from attending appointments together to helping them prepare, reducing anxiety and ensuring they stay engaged in the process.

Tailored Education, Training & Employment (ETE) support

Many of the young people we work with face real barriers to education or work, whether that’s lacking ID, not being able to afford travel, or needing clothes for an interview. We help remove those obstacles and build the skills and confidence they need to take the next step towards independence. We mentally prepare them for the realities of ETE too, as many of our service users have disengaged with education and thereby struggle with routine and confidence. We can also assist practically by purchasing necessities for them.

Building confidence, resilience, emotional skills, and positive peer relationships

At the heart of our work is personal growth. Through mentoring, young people learn to understand their emotions, build healthy relationships, and believe in their own potential. These life skills not only reduce risk-taking behaviours but also help them make positive, lasting change.

The aim of this support is to strengthen young people’s resilience, enhance their social and emotional wellbeing, increase engagement in education, training and employment (ETE), and reduce risky or harmful behaviours. The project has already achieved a range of positive outcomes for the young people involved. To date, 243 young people have been engaged and assessed: 123 are in the control group receiving business-as-usual support, while 120 young people are currently being supported by 11 Casework Mentors delivering the project. We have already seen some incredible outcomes for these young people which includes but is not limited to:

• We were able to provide a young person with a bed who was (before being on the project) sleeping on the floor
• We have attended court with young people facing serious charges and advocated for them verbally
• We have provided a young person with a phone which they did not have because of financial instability at home
• We purchase ID and right to work documents (provisional license and passports)
• We purchase essentials: clothing items and clothing/equipment for young people stating college
• We visit one of our young people who was moved to northern England for safety concerns once a month to maintain positive relationships
• We visit our young people who are in custody

The project continues until 2027, and with every young person we support, we remain committed to preventing harm, promoting life, and helping them realise their full potential.