SGTO was established in 1984 with the vision of promoting tenants' rights and empowering them to have greater control over their housing and environment through information sharing between the organisation and local authorities. As we became more aware of the community’s needs, we expanded our services to address their challenges with a comprehensive approach. Over the years, our charity has supported thousands of families across Southwark, offering a wide range of services to improve the lives of all community members.
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Southwark Group of Tenants is a registered charity established to represent the voice of tenants and resident groups in Southwark. We registered our organisation in 2009. However, we’ve been in operation since 1990 in the heart of Peckham. SGTO is a community-driven organisation dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Southwark's. We thrive through bringing our community closer together, helping residents reach their potential and addressing the challenges faced by community members.
One idea proposed by Southwark residents is ‘Youth Football 4 Change’. It will be a year-long program that uses football to reduce crime, build relationships, and improve mental health among approximately 150 youths. Weekly sessions include tournaments, skills workshops, and mentoring, led by qualified coaches, and supported by community partners.
We want you to join us in uplifting the youth of Southwark.
If we can reach our target of £7,875 with your support, it will be matched 1:1, doubling your impact! Every contribution strengthens the foundation of meaningful change in our community.
Contribute To The Development Of Southwark.
Southwark Group Of Tenants have been working with residents to address issues in Southwark since 1990.
Since then, our vision has been to advocate for Southwark residents who desperately need support but have often been ignored or overlooked. Like other inner-city boroughs, Southwark has faced a range of socioeconomic challenges, but we are dedicated to working with our community to find practical, effective solutions.
Our charity has helped hundreds of individuals through the services we offer to our community, these include:
- Health and fitness programs
- Mental health and well-being support
- Community networking event
- Housing advice
Southwark residents rely on us as a central hub where individuals seeking advice or support can come together and collaborate to tackle challenges. Each service we provide serves as a foundation in strengthening and rebuilding a unified, thriving community.
Peckham has been significantly affected by knife crime and youth violence in recent years, with 2023 marking the highest level of knife crime in Southwark since 2019. This concerning trend is not isolated to our borough; it's occurring throughout London, with 16% of teenagers in England and Wales experiencing violent crime within the past year.
In a survey of 106 parents and caregivers, 84% expressed concern about the impact of crime and violence on the lives of youth in the area. They highlight the urgent need for programs that not only keep young people off the streets but also equip them with essential life skills and provide opportunities for personal growth.
Why ‘Youth Football 4 Change’?
We firmly believe that sport, and football in particular, has the power to transform lives and communities. By creating a safe environment for young people, they get to learn about structure, team work, leadership, developing their abilities, and establishing a network. These activities will divert them from negative influences and crime, lead them towards a brighter tomorrow.
This is why, over the past few years, we’ve successfully raised funds to run various football initiatives in the community, which have been hugely popular among young people. Through these programs, we’ve fostered and repaired relationships among youth who might not have otherwise connected. By bringing people together, we’ve provided opportunities to learn new skills, explore careers in sports, and receive mentorship, help to reduce negative behaviour and social isolation.
The challenge is that we need to do more, and this can only be accomplished through collaboration with others who are passionate about the future of Southwark's youth.
Jamie - “SGTO’s football project helped me to make new friends and work on building confidence because I was really struggling with both.”
Youth Football 4 Changes’ Goal
Our motivation for this project comes directly from the voices of our community. Over the past few months, we have conducted extensive consultations with local youths, parents, schools, and community leaders to understand their needs and concerns.
Our Objectives:
- Reduce the rising crime among youth in Southwark.
- Improve the physical and mental wellbeing of 70% of participant.
- Work with at-risk youth through mentorship and skill development.
- Assist 60% to take part in regular exercise.
- Work with youth who wish to find a career in Football through partnerships with other local football clubs and organisations.
- Bring youth together to collaborate and establish long-term friendships.
Thomas - “I joined the football program because I really enjoy the sport but didn’t really get much opportunities to get involved in a football team. It helped me improve and get a chance to train with 3 local teams.”
How Your Donation Will Support Us
We will hold a launch event and registration day to kick off the program, promoting it widely through local schools, youth clubs, social media, and community networks. Participants will be allocated to teams based mainly on age group, focusing on creating balanced, competitive teams. Throughout the year, teams will switch players as a method of team building.
Monthly skills development workshops will cover leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and goal setting topics. These interactive workshops will use role-play, group discussions, and practical exercises to help participants develop key life skills.
Our mentoring program will pair each young person with volunteer mentors from the local community, whom they can speak to about their progress and challenges as being part of the program.
We will prioritise participant safety and well-being, with robust health and safety protocols, first aid provision, and clear pathways for accessing mental health support and other services.
Partnerships with local entities like schools, youth services, sports clubs, and businesses will facilitate participant recruitment, and the acquisition of additional resources. This will create pathways for further education, training, or employment prospects.
To monitor and evaluate the program's impact, we will collect regular feedback from participants, coaches, mentors, and community partners through surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Key indicators such as attendance, skill development, behaviour change, and progression will be tracked to continuously improve the program.
**SPECIAL INVITATION**
All donors will receive a special invitation to our End-of-Project Showcase, a celebration of the incredible achievements of our youth and a chance for us all to unite in our shared passion for improving society. The event will feature a series of exciting football matches to crown a champion, along with live music, delicious food, and refreshing drinks, making it a perfect occasion to network and celebrate together!