Steel City Youth Project delivers 534 youth work hours across Sheffield
The Steel City Youth Project, delivered in partnership by Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme and Sheffield United FC Community Foundation, is continuing to grow across Sheffield with support from the National Lottery’s Million Hours Fund.
The project is now active across Hillsborough, Sharrow, Nether Edge, Woodhouse and Darnall, delivering regular youth sessions and detached work designed to give young people safe, positive spaces and trusted support in their local communities.
During the latest reporting period, SWFCCP delivered 96 additional youth work hours, engaging 92 attendances and welcoming 67 young people for the first time. Alongside this, SUFCCF delivered a further 438 hours of youth work, supporting young people across multiple sites city-wide.
Across both organisations, engagement has been driven largely through word of mouth, local outreach, schools and community visibility, helping the project reach young people who may not have engaged with services before.
The sessions have included a mix of sport, informal youth work, holiday activities and social development opportunities, with a growing focus on progression routes such as youth leadership and personal development.
Paul Hebda, Youth & Integration Manager at Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme said: “The Million Hours Fund and Steel City Youth Project have been a fantastic addition to the city, particularly with two football clubs, known as rivals in the city, coming together to deliver youth work to some of the most vulnerable and at-risk young people. Having representatives from both football clubs engage in the project helps break down barriers with young people massively, highlighting that it doesn’t matter what your background is, your characteristics, or which football club you support – our opportunities are for everyone!“
As delivery continues, the project will focus on building on current engagement, strengthening youth voice, and ensuring more young people across Sheffield can access consistent, high-quality support close to where they live.