Partnering with schools and local authorities in north-west London, Springboard Youth Academy provides the necessary, wrap-around support for refugee and asylum-seeking young people that is lacking in the mainstream system. They run Saturday, half-term and holiday programmes for 13 – 18 year olds in their partner schools in north-west London, and have plans to expand to the north-east of the city. Their dynamic curriculum champions participatory learning as a means of effectively improving language, whilst rehearsing essential life skills for thriving in the UK. They take a holistic approach – be it wellbeing support, basic advocacy, sports and team-building – helping give their students a solid foundation for rebuilding their lives. Friendship, connection and community are at the heart of what they cultivate.
The Symondson Foundation has committed to unrestricted, multi-year funding to Springboard, seeing the work they do as essential for supporting newly arrived young people in the long-term.
