Our work focuses on the essential personal and social skills that young people need to develop and progress.

The Lean on Me Programme is a targeted one-to-one mentoring scheme. We build relationships with the children and young people allowing us to challenge their behaviours and attitudes and aid them in progressing educationally and socially and to feel more positive about their lives.

Mentoring sessions will be weekly or fortnightly depending on need. The activity undertaken can include a discussion in a cafe, a trip to a place of interest, or a sporting or cooking activity. At times the help can be practical, accompanying young people on visits and appointments and assisting them with applying for college and employment.

The long term aim of Lean on Me is to aid the progression and re-integration of young people into education and employment alongside empowering them to find a positive role to play in society. To date two-thirds of the young people we have mentored have returned to full time education, and two-thirds of them have developed their social skills and self-confidence.

Infuse is a youth club and cafe for young people between 11 and 18 years old. All young people are welcome, come either for a quick bite to eat, or stay for longer, relax, meet some new people and have fun together. We currently have table tennis, pool, PS4, and more! Our mouth watering menu includes homemade burgers, smoothies and home made cakes. Check out our Infuse Facebook Page and Twitter for regular updates and information.

It is open every Wednesday and Thursday from 3.30pm - 6.30pm, held on site at St Marks Church (see our contact page for address details).

We have created a safe and fun environment for local young people. The Future Skills team is on hand to build relationships and offer help and advice to those in need.

The Learn2Live Programme is a personal and social development project for young people excluded from mainstream education. We deliver 2 half day workshops, one on-site and one off-site using drama and role-play activities, lateral thinking exercises, team games, sport, and other creative tools.

Our approach is therapuetic, with the building of good relationships between the young people and the FST team central to everything we do. Once trust is built our young people are more able to engage fully and be challenged, developing a more positive attitude towards education and their future.

We currently deliver Learn2Live on a Thursday and Friday morning. Thursday on-site in the crypt of St Marks Church, Friday off-site at various venues around London (we always meet togther at Future Skills before travelling together).

Many young people who have been excluded lack the self-confidence, tools and personal skills to engage in education and other aspects of society in a positive and fulfilling way.

Football team that grew out of our successful after-school club and now plays in the Sunday Tandridge Youth League. Training is coached by professional FA coach Ricky Hammond, supported by members of the Future Skills team.

Training - Battersea Park All Weather Pitches, Tuesday from 6pm - 7pm

The structure of the team provides an excellent space to offer life coaching to the players.

At least once per year we take a group of our young people away for a few days of challenging and fun activities in a totally different environment to what they are used to.

We have been to Llanrwst in North Wales with Horizon Expeditions, Avon Tyrrell in the New Forest, Bewl Water in Kent and sailing round the South Coast with the Island Trust.

Normally during the summer holidays, but we have been away during February half term.

Because it provides an opportunity for the lives of our young people to be impacted in a very deep way over a short period of time. Many young people return having had new experiences, their confidence boosted, and seeing themselves and others in a completely different light.

Future Skills works closely with other organisations to provide a variety of effective projects for disadvantaged young people. We obtained ‘Alternative Provider Status’ in 2011 and are in the Wandsworth Alternative Providers Directory. Examples of collaborative projects include a Peer Mediation Project with Wandsworth Mediation Service (WMS), ongoing work with Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit and Battersea Lions Football Club.

These projects take place throughout the year and can either be one-offs or ongoing. Most of the work we do takes place in South London but we have worked throughout the capital.

Joining with the right partners is an excellent way to effect positive change in young people.