WHO ARE WE
Champions is a community based, personal development program In Lancashire, that aims to ensure that individuals (10-25) who are known to have high risk violence indicators have access to opportunities and bespoke support to enable them to meet their potential. The program has been helping individuals across Lancashire since 2020 and so far, has supported over 2,000 individual journeys.
Mentors meet the clients where they are at, and can deliver work within an educational setting or even home, but with a focus on supporting the individuals to move forward and access community activities and support further down the line.
As a program we fully recognise that an individual experiencing four or more ACEs increases the likelihood of becoming a serious violence offender by 140% , and that specific ACEs like physical neglect, emotional abuse, household violence, and substance use each raise the risk by 20–26%.
Working in a user-centric way, agnostic of organisational centric behaviours, we are keen to work with those individuals who are ready for change, and support of the initial engagement process is beneficial. We are fully aware that the clients we are working towards engaging are often the hardest to reach and we endeavour to work with patience and creativity with each referrer to ensure best chance of a successful engagement.
Our work is client led and is not time limited, offering clients flexibility and time to work towards meaningful change. Our mentors whilst being closely supervised, have permissions to work creatively, and in a bespoke fashion with each individual client, ensuring explicit consent is agreed throughout the relationship that then builds trust.
During the programme of support, mentors help individuals to access activities of interest, that appeal to them, and support access to other services, and promote both social and educational inclusion. The program was set up and was funded by the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network and is now part of the OPCC, working collaboratively across the Lancashire violence reduction landscape to address serious violence by understand and addressing its root causes.
Click here to learn more about the Violence Reduction Network.
MEET THE TEAM
Our mentors are at the heart of the Champions team, without them, the programme wouldn’t exist. They are the reason we are able to support young people across Lancashire in the way that we do.
Champions mentors come from all walks of life, but all share a common passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. Mentors do not work for the police and whilst all conversations with them are completely confidential, they cannot discuss criminal proceedings.
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Adam Bolton
Adam Bolton
adam.bolton@teamchampions.co.uk
Through coaching a variety of sports, I have met people from all kinds of backgrounds. I want to use some of these sports coaching skills to motivate my clients and set them goals to work towards and achieve. I want to be the person motivating them, listening to them, and guiding them back towards the path to achieving their targets.
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Amber Ashcroft
Amber Ashcroft
amber.ashcroft@teamchampions.co.uk
Hi! I'm Amber, a Champions Mentor at Blackburn Rovers Community Trust. I'm passionate about fitness and running - which have been game-changers for my mental health! I love helping others and am excited to support young people in my community. I believe everyone deserves the chance to thrive, and I'm hoping I can make a positive impact!
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Cheryl Creighton
Cheryl Creighton
cheryl.creighton@teamchampions.co.uk
In my role I support the mentors with all their administrative tasks. Accurate recording of the data provides valuable information for our Stakeholders and strengthens the value of the programme.
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COURTNEY KIRKHAM
COURTNEY KIRKHAM
courtney.kirkham@teamchampions.co.uk
I have a passion when it comes to supporting young people. Champions allows me to help people reach their goals and become the best version of themselves.
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DANIEL HALL
DANIEL HALL
dan.hall@teamchampions.co.uk
I really enjoy working with young people and I am passionate about helping them become the best they can be. I love my football but spend most of my free time trying to be a good dad to my young kids!
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Gary Smith
Gary Smith
gary.smith@teamchampions.co.uk
My aim is to support young people so they can contribute to stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities. Hopefully they can then keep themselves and others safe by making better informed choices. Out of work I can be found either walking my two dogs Buzz and Woody. Or watching Leeds United, I know!!!
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Jack Corless
Jack Corless
j.corless@teamchampions.co.uk
I am really passionate about trying to make a positive impact in the world, where I believe sport is the best tool we have to accomplish this. In my spare time I play football and love watching or doing anything sport related (unless it's Cricket).
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Jamie Houghton
Jamie Houghton
jamie.houghton@teamchampions.co.uk
Start the day with boxing, running or a gym session then end it with anything salt and pepper from the Chinese – a winning combination in my eyes.
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Jamie Johnson
Jamie Johnson
jamie.johnson@teamchampions.co.uk
Hi, I'm Jamie! I am the Champions Mentor for Fleetwood Town Community Trust. I have worked with young people for almost five years now and have loved every second of it. In my spare time you can find me often starting another DIY project in my house, or reading a book at home!
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Joe Preston
Joe Preston
joe.preston@teamchampions.co.uk
I joined the programme to use my experience in football and coaching to inspire young people to stay on the right path. A typical day for me? It's all about connecting - whether I'm texting, calling, or meeting up with someone 1-1 or with their parents or teachers. I'm here to support, guide, and make sure everyone has what they need to succeed.
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Kathryn Hoyle
Kathryn Hoyle
kathryn.hoyle@teamchampions.co.uk
I love working with young people and making a difference to our local community. I’m a true believer that every young person has the potential to make a positive change, as long as they have the tools and opportunity to do so.
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Luke Harris
Luke Harris
luke.harris@teamchampions.co.uk
Champions is a programme i have followed for a while now, it offers the chance to support young people in the local area which i have a real passion for. In my spare time i like to think i can kick ball a little bit, others say different 🙂
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Millie Hall
Millie Hall
millie.hall@teamchampions.co.uk
I'm passionate about helping young people achieve their potential and backing them to succeed. In my free time you can find me in front of the TV watching fast cars drive round in circles.
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NAOMI JOHNSTON
NAOMI JOHNSTON
naomi.johnston@teamchampions.co.uk
I became a Champions Mentor because I'm passionate about helping people. For me, it's about more than just giving advice - it's about supporting young people in every aspect of their lives. Everyone deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and I'm honoured to play a part in that journey.
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Prince Ndlovu
Prince Ndlovu
prince.ndlovu@teamchampions.co.uk
I am an experienced youth worker who is dedicated to the empowerment of young people. What attracted me to this role was that it more focused on the clients, which is something that I have been wanting to be involved with for some time now.
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Rosie Robinson
Rosie Robinson
rosie.robinson@teamchampions.co.uk
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Ryan de
Ryan de
ryan.delaharpe@teamchampions.co.uk
I have a lot of desire and passion. I love to help people of all ages and backgrounds. My professional sporting background has given me lots of interchangeable experience which I feel will be useful for this programme. What brought me to this opportunity is to be able to make a difference in the community. I feel this is a huge responsibility and an honour to be involved.
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SOPHIE JONES
SOPHIE JONES
sophie.jones@teamchampions.co.uk
I’m here to help others make the best out of tricky situations, and I love supporting people to learn, grow and hit their goals. Outside of work, you’ll find me camping, on long walks with family friends, and dogs, or cheering on my son at football. I could happily live on pizza, and yes, Gilmore Girls reruns are my comfort zone!
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Stephanie Szklanka
Stephanie Szklanka
stephanie.szklanka@teamchampions.co.uk
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PARTNERS
The Champions programme is delivered by nine football club community organisations (CCOs) across Lancashire.
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Preston North End Community and Education Trust
Utilising the power and appeal of Preston North End Football Club and football as a whole, we situate ourselves at the heart of the Preston community, providing a high-quality service to improve people’s lives. Our provision is centred around Community Engagement, Education, and Health and Wellbeing.
Our services connect people from all walks of life, supporting people to achieve their goals and helping them to make positive changes, ultimately creating a safer, stronger and more resilient community.
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Morecambe FC Community Sports
Morecambe FC Community Sports operates a range of innovative projects, schemes and initiatives supporting education, health, social inclusion and sports participation.
Our programmes include extensive work in schools; partnerships with local agencies, charities and organisations; support to government initiatives promoting health and well-being and sessions targeted at groups with special needs or from socially deprived areas.
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Wigan Athletic Community Trust
Working with Wigan Athletic towards Equality in Health, Life Chances and Stronger, Safer Communities. BELIEVE in Communities.
As the official charity of Wigan Athletic Football Club, Wigan Athletic Community Trust recognises the value of the badge it represents and the introduction it gives to help reconnect young people into positive activities in their own communities.
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Fleetwood Town Community Trust
Fleetwood Town Community Trust (FTCT) is a vibrant and active community project that aims to provide socially inclusive community, health and education engagement programmes which aim to make a difference to the lives of people within our communities.
The Trust offers many diverse activities that aim to provide the people in Wyre and Fylde with the opportunities to participate and enjoy themselves in a fun, friendly environment.
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Blackpool FC Community Trust
Working with residents as young as two years old up to adults in the later stages of life, Blackpool FC Community Trust provide a diverse range of programmes to increase social inclusion opportunities; improve physical fitness, health, and education; and lessen involvement in anti-social behaviour.
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Burnley FC in the Community
We believe in the immense power of our football club to transform people’s lives for the better. We work hard every day to deliver our mission across the communities of Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, the Ribble Valley and West Yorkshire.
Together we inspire, support and deliver positive change for all.
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Blackburn Rovers Community Trust
Blackburn Rovers community trust is fully committed to offering all members of the local community access to the highest quality programme of grassroots sports, education, inclusion, and awareness projects to open up new avenues of life chances to make a positive difference to the lives of the people of Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire.
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AFC Fylde Community Foundation
AFC Fylde Community Foundation is the official charity of AFC Fylde Football Club, it was formed in 2015 as a financially independent organisation to improve the lives of others.
Working across the Fylde area, the Foundation works with AFC Fylde to improve health and wellbeing, improve employability and skills, and create stronger communities.
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Accrington Stanley Community Trust
Accrington Stanley Community Trust is a non-profit, self-funding registered charity and community organisation that has been working within the Hyndburn community since 2007.
With the support of partners, the community trust has the ability to engage people, improve community cohesion and raise the hopes and aspiration of the people of Hyndburn.