Some of the UK’s most successful confidence-building programmes for young people are set to continue through LTSB following the transfer of Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s education programmes and Athlete Mentor model. The move ensures that Dame Kelly Holmes’ vision of helping young people develop confidence, resilience and self-belief will continue to benefit thousands more young people in the years ahead.
For almost two decades, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has worked with schools and community organisations across the UK, helping young people overcome challenges, build resilience and believe in themselves through the inspiration of elite Athlete Mentors. Those programmes will now become part of LTSB’s wider offer, creating a seamless journey that supports young people from school into sustainable employment.
The transition comes at a time when employers consistently report that confidence, communication, resilience and teamwork are among the most important skills young people need to succeed.
By bringing together DKHT’s expertise in developing these qualities with LTSB’s employer partnerships and employability programmes, the organisations believe they can help bridge the growing gap between education and employment.
The transition also creates an opportunity to bring together the wider strengths of the two organisations. Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s connection to elite sport and Athlete Mentors, combined with LTSB’s expertise in employability and employer engagement, creates opportunities not only to support young people differently, but also to give more sportspeople meaningful opportunities to use their experience beyond their sporting careers.
Importantly, programme delivery will continue, ensuring schools and young people experience continuity while benefiting from new opportunities over time. We look forward to working with athletes and helping them transition from the world of elite sport, including as Athlete Mentors to young people.
The announcement also marks the beginning of Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s wind down, with its legacy continuing through LTSB.
"This is a hugely exciting moment for LTSB and, more importantly, for the young people we exist to serve. Dame Kelly Holmes Trust has built an exceptional reputation for helping young people develop the confidence, resilience and communication skills that employers consistently tell us they value most. By bringing these programmes into LTSB we are creating a more comprehensive journey for young people that starts at a younger age, supporting them from their school years through to sustainable employment. We also see enormous potential in the experience and expertise of elite sportspeople, and in creating more opportunities for them to bring those skills into our work with young people. This is about bringing two highly complementary strengths together to create something neither organisation could achieve as effectively on its own. We know many young people need support with confidence and wellbeing long before they begin thinking about careers. Combining these programmes with our employer partnerships means we can help young people build those foundations earlier while creating stronger pathways into work. We are honoured that Dame Kelly has entrusted us with continuing this remarkable legacy, and we are committed to ensuring it grows for many years to come."
"When I established Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, the ambition was simple: to harness the unique skillset and experience of elite level sportspeople to help young people realise their potential by building the confidence, resilience and self-belief they need to succeed. I am incredibly proud of everything the Trust has achieved and of the thousands of young people whose lives have been changed through the dedication of our Athlete Mentors, staff, funders and partners. The challenges facing the charity sector mean organisations must continually think about how they create the greatest possible impact. I believe this transition gives these programmes the strongest possible future to continue supporting the young people who need a champion in their corner. LTSB shares our commitment to improving young people's life chances and offers an exciting opportunity to build on everything we have created. By bringing together our expertise in confidence and resilience, and our amazing team of athlete mentors with LTSB's employability programmes and employer partnerships, even more young people will have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to thrive. This isn't the end of our work. It is the continuation of everything we set out to achieve, and I couldn't be more pleased to see that legacy continue through joining with LTSB."
