How Street League helped Sheffield teenager Brandon secure qualifications and an NHS job
A Sheffield teenager who left school without formal qualifications has secured a job with the NHS and joined a youth board helping to shape programmes for other young people.
Brandon, 19, first became involved with national employment charity Street League through its Street Sports programme. He had grown up in a low-income household, had no work experience and faced significant barriers to finding employment.
After joining a Street League Academy, he gained his maths and English qualifications and developed essential employment skills.
With support from the charity, Brandon secured a role with the NHS. When an internal opportunity later arose, he successfully applied to become a domestic assistant and continues to thrive in the job.
He has also become a member of Street League’s North of England Youth Board, where he helps shape programmes and policies to ensure young people’s views inform its work.
Street League uses sport and education to support people facing barriers to employment. Its services include CV workshops, interview preparation and employability training, while its 12-week academy combines qualifications with daily sport sessions.
The charity’s long-term partnership with the Barratt Redrow Foundation has received investment of more than £800,000. More than 1,398 people aged 16–29 have been supported into employment, education and training through the partnership.
Since 2024, Street League has supported 2,796 young people across seven regions, including South Yorkshire, helping them develop skills, gain qualifications and improve their mental and physical wellbeing through daily sport.
An estimated 13.5% of people aged 16 to 24 years in the UK are not in education, employment or training, highlighting the demand for specialist support.
Georgie Miles, Senior Partnership Manager at Street League, said: “Many of the young people we support have often been overlooked by traditional services and don't know where to turn for help.
“Street League provides a safe, inclusive environment where young people can build confidence, develop skills and access the support they need to succeed through our experienced team.”