Through funding from The Evelyn Trust, OA-Cambridge and Cambridge United Foundation are continuing to deliver outreach programmes that support young people across Cambridgeshire with their wellbeing, personal development and understanding of important social issues.
Building on the success of the original programme, the partnership now delivers a broad range of activities through our outreach work with local schools.
Through the Pledge United programme pioneered by Inspire, and run by Cambridge United Foundation, students are exploring important conversations around misogyny in football, challenging harmful attitudes and encouraging young people to address the “silent majority” by speaking up and promoting positive culture in sport. The programme has already been completed by 25 students.
“This showed me how to feel confident in speaking up.” - Student from outreach programme
Meanwhile, the Mind Your Head initiative - a six-week intervention for Key Stage 3 students - is helping young people better understand mental health, recognise challenges and build confidence in supporting themselves and others. Delivered through OA-Cambridge outreach and funded by The Evelyn Trust, 27 students have completed the programme.
“It was good because I was in a safe environment with my friends. It was good to learn that it's not just me that has mental health and how to help me and my friends.” - Student from outreach programme
“It helped because I now know I'm not the only one. I don’t feel like I’m alone.” - Student from outreach programme
Alongside this outreach work, students at OA-Cambridge continue to benefit from on-site programmes delivered in partnership with Cambridge United Foundation. Delivered two days a week at OA-Cambridge, students take part in Life Skills sessions focused on preparing for adulthood, including topics such as banking, insurance, budgeting and managing a household. Alongside this, Sport Leadership sessions give students insight into the many careers within sport beyond the pitch, exploring areas including sport science, finance and the range of roles that support a professional football club behind the scenes.
This year alone, nine students are set to receive recognised AQA Unit Awards certificates in Life Skills and Sport Leadership - tangible recognition of the progress and skills they have developed.
The wider Evelyn Trust-funded initiative brings together partners across education, health, wellbeing and community sectors to improve outcomes for Cambridgeshire’s most vulnerable children and young people. By embedding early intervention and therapeutic support within school settings, the programme aims to prevent exclusions and reduce long-term pressures on health and education services.
With funding secured through The Evelyn Trust until spring 2027, OA-Cambridge and Cambridge United Foundation are committed to continuing and growing this work - ensuring even more young people can benefit from targeted wellbeing support, life skills education and positive personal development opportunities.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping students thrive both in and beyond education, equipping them with the skills, confidence and support needed for brighter futures. Thanks to the ongoing support of The Evelyn Trust, these meaningful opportunities can continue to make a lasting difference for young people across OA-Cambridge and our outreach communities.