16th May 2025
Sanctuary Supported Living
Dame Kelly Holmes Trust puts world-class athletes shoulder to shoulder with young people.
At supported housing services across the southeast of England, Sanctuary Supported Living’s young residents have been marking the successful completion of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust ‘Get on Track’ employability programme.
The exciting final ‘Get on Track’ sessions came in the shape of a celebration event where the young people chose an activity to enjoy with the athlete mentors who have guided them throughout the programme.
Residents from Brighton and Hove Foyer opted for an adrenaline-filled afternoon of go-kart racing, while young people living in two Essex services chose an exciting rage room activity.
Funded by Sanctuary’s Sustainable Communities Programme, which focuses on building connection and resilience for their customers and communities, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust ‘Get on Track’ programme gives young people a ‘Champion in their Corner’.
The young people attend a 20-session programme with world-class athlete mentors who share their experiences from elite sport and help the young people apply the knowledge to their own lives. The programme promotes the intrinsic link between physical and mental wellbeing, and the athlete mentors encourage involvement in sport and movement. The young people benefit from improving their personal development by building their confidence, self-esteem, resilience and employability prospects.
Two-time British boxing champion Hannah Beharry has been working with young people in Brighton, while Commonwealth fencing gold medallist Claire Bennett has been mentoring young people living at Dove Cott House Foyer and Swan House Foyer.
Residents Tyler and Nathaniel have been working with Hannah throughout and have really seen the benefit. Tyler said: “The programme really changed my perspective on life, and working with Hannah helped me to feel better mentally and physically about myself.”
When the programme started in October, Nathaniel was dealing with depression, which led to isolation and a lack of social interaction with other people. Hannah utilised boxing as a way of getting young people more physically active, and Nathaniel found it beneficial. He said: “I really enjoyed those active boxing sessions with Hannah. Getting fitter and chatting to her about her sporting career was great.”
Over the course of the programme, Nathaniel grew in confidence and has started to look for employment. He shared his dream of moving to Thailand and is exploring options to do this. He is also considering joining the Army Cadets or merchant Navy.
In Essex, Claire Bennett has seen tremendous growth in the young people she’s mentored - whether it’s been through increased confidence and self-esteem, using the programme to help realise their future goals, or by increasing their physical activity.
The Essex group included some young mums, and as a parent, Claire was able to share advice and support from her own personal experience. One young parent said: "I have enjoyed Claire being supportive of everyone here. She's been able to support other mums as she is a mum herself, and I have enjoyed taking advice from her."
Claire encouraged the group to focus on identifying things they wanted to achieve and set themselves goals to work towards. During their final session, the group wrote commitment cards which Claire will post to them three months later to remind them of the progress they made on the programme. Some of these commitments included putting themselves before others, keeping to a regular routine, staying positive, not giving up and having the courage to try new things.
Saphffire, one of the residents, highlighted that although they have had to overcome many life challenges, the partnership between Sanctuary Supported Living and Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has given them a sense of community: “I’ve been used to isolation for over a decade, so these sessions have given me huge emotional support. When I came to the sessions, I got that sense of community and human affection and being reminded that there are people out there that you can talk to.”
For more information about Sanctuary Supported Living’s services for young people, see our young people page, or find a service near you.
