Youth Hub Supports Over 200 Young People into Work, Training, or Education

Over the past 12 months, Sheffield Wednesday FC Community Programme’s employability team has continued to make a positive difference to the lives of young people across the community through their Youth Hub.

The Youth Hub, launched in partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions, offers a comprehensive range of services to help young people aged 16–24 gain the skills and support they need to secure meaningful employment opportunities.

In the last year, the hub has supported over 200 participants to increase their confidence, build essential skills, and take important steps towards their future. This has included 122 young people moving into employment, self-employment, or apprenticeships, and a further 97 progressing into further education, training, or voluntary work.

The hub also delivers mock interviews, confidence-building workshops, and one-to-one support. More than 200 participants have developed their employability skills and action plans through these activities.

Partnership working has been key to the hub’s success. Thanks to collaborations with organisations including the Department of Work and Pensions, Sheffield City Council Apprenticeships, Birkdale Collective, Daisy Communications, Lightmain, Ascend, Grow, and Quickline, participants have benefited from mock interviews, information sessions, and showcase talks that supported their journey into work, training, and education.

Participants have praised the hub for its supportive environment and practical advice:

• “The team helped me so much in gaining confidence and improving my CV!”

• “I couldn’t have 100% secured my current job without the Youth Hub’s support in regards tovacancy finding and interview preparation. My interview prep and weekly meetings inspired not only better technique, but also resilience in my job search.”

• “Although sceptical at first and not sure about myself and my own abilities, I was nurtured as such through all the obstacles that were in front of me and got to the point where I realised that I could do what I set out to do and am now enjoying the benefits of work and what it’s doing for my mental health.”

• “I would recommend it, as they help bring forward jobs that are relevant to what you are looking for so you can apply. They also help with CVs and cover letters to improve your chance of getting an interview, as well as prepping you for interviews.”

• “Overall, I came out with a job, and that’s all I ever wanted. My confidence has improved, and my overall communication skills have improved. All in all, it was a good experience for me and has opened me up to try and succeed.”

• “Before joining, I didn’t feel like I had a chance to do anything. Since joining, the support I have had has been 10 times more than I’ve had since joining Universal Credit.”

• “My experience attending SWFCCP has been really helpful. I recommend that other people join the Youth Hub.”

Looking ahead, the Youth Hub aims to build on this success by continuing to support young people and strengthening partnerships across the city.

If you would like to learn more about the Youth Hub, please contact: employability@swfc.co.uk