Football Journeys Exchange Brings Schools Together
The Football Journeys School Programme has made excellent progress since the Easter half-term, with students demonstrating great commitment and enthusiasm throughout their sessions. Participants have been working towards achieving accreditations in Developing Own Interpersonal Skills, Introduction to Peer Support Skills, and Active Citizenship in the Local Community, developing valuable life skills that will support them both in and beyond the classroom.
On the creative side of things, we mostly focused on the accreditation. This is the part that gives the students their leadership qualification. To achieve this, they must answer a series of questions from three different units, including their interpersonal skills, their contributions within their communities and peer-to-peer support.
A significant milestone was reached this term as both schools completed their first Football Journeys exchange event, with Kensington Aldridge Academy hosting City of London Academy. The first of two exchange visits provided students with the opportunity to visit a different part of London and experience it through the perspective of their host school. These exchanges are a key element of the programme, helping young people broaden their understanding of the city, connect with peers from different backgrounds, and challenge perceptions through shared experiences. The exchange was a fantastic success, strengthening relationships between the two schools and providing memorable experiences that supported both personal and social development.
A huge thank you to all the volunteers and staff who supported the day. Your time, enthusiasm, and commitment helped create a positive and enjoyable experience for everyone involved and played a vital role in the event's success.
We look forward to the second exchange event and to seeing students continue to build on the excellent progress they have made throughout the programme.
Thank You Taurus Foundation – Now It’s Your Turn!
We’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to The Taurus Foundation for awarding FJ a grant to support our work over the coming year - it’s wonderful to welcome a new supporter to the FJ community. The fundraising landscape is very challenging for small charities at the moment, but we’re trying to stay optimistic as we await decisions on several other funding applications. Please send positive energy our way… 
If taking action is more your thing, choose FJ as your cause for a challenge event! This time last year, I was signing up for my sponsored boxing bout, and I’m still feeling the benefits of that decision now - it drastically improved my fitness, but I was more surprised by the boost to my confidence and self-belief. Whether it’s running, cycling, or something totally unexpected, now’s a great time to start a new challenge, and since FJ is registered on JustGiving, it’s super easy to set up your campaign. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
FJ x Academia: Expanding Our Reach Together
Our strategic partnership with Academia continues to open powerful new doors for Football Journeys. We were thrilled to join their recent Stakeholder Event, not just to participate, but to deeply engage with an entirely new network of leaders through Academia’s warm introductions.
The evening was a fantastic testament to the strength of our relationship. Our Director, Carlos, took the stage to highlight the critical importance of investing in young people, while our team mingled with attendees to spark future collaborations. We even brought our signature creativity to the room, using a Polaroid icebreaker to cut through standard networking small talk and build genuine, deep connections with potential new partners.
With our FJ impact film capturing the room's attention and new stakeholders eager to learn more via our custom FJ QR codes, the event was a brilliant success. We are incredibly grateful to Academia for championing our mission and introducing our work to a broader network that will help us drive our next chapter of growth.
We were absolutely delighted to host R for his Year 10 work experience recently, providing him with a first-hand insight into the professional world. As an FJ Ambassador, R has already shown immense growth, and being able to offer him this platform to further develop and explore his skills is exactly what our ambassador programme is all about.
Here is what R had to say about his time behind the scenes with the FJ team:
"When people hear the name Football Journeys, they might assume it is only about football. However, the programme is about far more than simply playing the sport. Football Journeys teaches young people how to work together as a community, develop leadership skills, communicate effectively, and achieve common goals as a team.
Completing my work experience with Football Journeys was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was enjoyable, eye-opening, and genuinely inspiring. One thing that stood out to me most was when they explained that, throughout the week, they would treat me as a colleague rather than simply as a student or ambassador. Hearing this meant a great deal to me. It immediately made me feel respected, trusted, and genuinely valued.
Overall, my work experience with Football Journeys was an unforgettable experience. It gave me a deeper understanding of teamwork, leadership, and professional life while also being genuinely enjoyable. It was truly an honour to complete my work experience with Football Journeys and I am forever grateful for it."
Ambassador Spotlight: R’s Work Experience Journey
