We asked a selection of our participants to write an introduction to this years’ Impact Report based on what they want the reader to know about Saints Foundation.
Saints Foundation is a welcoming place. How we got involved is different for all of us, but what’s key is what has kept us involved - the people and the chance to try new things.
There is lots of information within this Impact Report, but what we’d really like you to know is that Saints Foundation is a place where you can express yourself without being judged and where you don’t feel lonely.
You can take what you need from the sessions, whether that’s improving your mental and physical health, having more confidence, getting back into education or realising and getting the help you need. It’s somewhere that helps you to achieve your goals.
Continue to support Saints Foundation because of the work they do, not just with us, but others, to help them out and on the right path.
Our key message for you from this report is that with Saints Foundation, there is always someone there for you.
We support people in need throughout Southampton, providing life-changing opportunities to help our city and its communities thrive.
To help us achieve this, we focus on five key goals that link with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals:
Helping people live healthier lives
Improving learning and opportunities
Creating positive pathways for those involved in, or at risk of involvement in crime
Helping people access work and training
Supporting equal opportunities for everyone
Imagine we spend £1 running our Employability pillar and one of the young people gets support and eventually finds a job;
that’s not just a win for that person, it also means less strain on benefits, more taxes paid, and improved wellbeing;
or if we spent £1 on our Pathways projects to help young people stay out of trouble, that’s good for the community and saves money on policing, social services or even the cost of prison accommodation.
This outcome has value; and if all these benefits add up to £5, then we have created £5 of social value for every £1 we spent.
Participants achieved a
positive outcome this year
VS
Last year (+12%)
positive outcomes were achieved
by those participants
VS
Last year (+10%)
Participants improved their mental wellbeing (+492 YoY)
Participants raised their
aspirations (+92 YoY)
Participants formed stronger positive connections (+115 YoY)
The social value ratios of our five focus areas
Hover over to reveal the action:
Click to reveal the action:
Southampton has a significantly lower life expectancy than the national average– those living in the 20% most deprived (Southampton Data Observatory Inequality Profiles, 2021) areas have a mortality rate almost 2x higher than those living in the least deprived areas (Southampton City Council, 2024)
Our Health projects are shaped by the needs and ideas of our local communities. We’re not just running sessions, we’re focused on making a real, long-term difference to the health and wellbeing of everyone we work with.
Teaming up with the NHS, health agencies, City Council, and a network of community organisations allows us to make sure our efforts are targeted to meet local priorities. This helps us keep improving and ensures we’re meeting the specific needs of our city and the people in it.
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3 years ago, Robert took a nasty fall which would leave him hospitalised. This year, at 72-years-old, he took on the Big Saints Skydive to give back to the cause that helped him find his confidence again.
Southampton has one of the highest (Department for Education, 2024) rates of secondary school absence in the country, with 11% of all lessons missed (LAIT, 2024).
Going to school regularly is essential for helping young people to succeed in their education and reach their full potential later in life. It also helps them feel included and connected to others.
Our Education work supports these young people by working alongside schools to identify those who need extra help. We then offer support through one-to-one mentoring, group sessions, classroom support, and sports activities, which have all been designed to help students feel more engaged and confident in school.
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Due to living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Ethan had no career ambitions or future aspirations before working with Premier League Inspires. After making such a positive impression on staff during work experience, he would start volunteering weekly at our Falls Recovery sessions.
Southampton has the 14th highest crime rate in England and Wales, and 5th highest for violence with injury (Southampton Safe City Strategic Assessment, 2023/24).
Our Pathways Pillar is all about helping our participants move toward a positive future. We work with individuals facing tough challenges like gang involvement, peer pressure, or offending behaviour, and support them in reaching the goals that matter to them.
Whether it’s helping young people get into education, providing access to leisure activities, or supporting adults to rebuild their lives and rejoin the community, Pathways offers the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to take their next step forward.
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In the transition from primary to secondary school, Erin lost her confidence, was struggling with anxiety, and clashing with her parents. Through working with the Premier League Kicks project, she not only regained her confidence but became a leader among her peers.
21% of Southampton’s population are economically inactive. (Southampton Economic Dashboard, 2023/24)
Starting work for the first time can be tough, especially for many of the young people we support, who often face extra challenges that affect their confidence and motivation. These pressures can lead to issues like poor mental health or anti-social behaviour if the right support isn’t in place.
Our Employability Pillar helps young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and take steps towards their first job.
By working in partnership with the DWP, local businesses, colleges, and industry experts, we connect young people with the training and opportunities they need to succeed. Saints Foundation helps them unlock their potential and build brighter futures.
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Kurtis was low on confidence when he first engaged with us, had been out of education for well over a year and didn’t see any pathway into his dream career. Through Saints Works, he gained confidence and attended workplace tours with our Corporate Patrons Williams Shipping, where he impressed with his passion. Kurtis has now been employed with them, and has continued to thrive in his role.
A recent report by Plan International, 2025 highlighted that Southampton is one of the toughest places in the UK to be a girl – and in Southampton intimate partner violence is 1 of the top 10 risks of years of life lost to disability for women (Global Burdens of Disease, 2019).
Our Gender Equality Pillar focuses on building a fairer, more inclusive community by empowering girls to reach their full potential and educating young people of all genders to understand and challenge inequality.
Through education, advocacy, and targeted projects, we break down stereotypes, remove barriers, and promote equal opportunities for everyone within the Southampton community.
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In her own words, Jess was “scared of getting things wrong” so often wouldn’t speak at all, and her voice would very rarely be heard whether it was in, or out of the classroom. While Jess’ journey culminated in Changemakers, positive connections through Community Champions and Premier League Kicks all led to her becoming a leader and role model to other participants.