Why we do it
Not all young people have the same start in life. We combat issues that arise out of poverty and lack of opportunity in areas of high deprivation, giving young people the life skills to overcome adversity and realise their goals.
Raising aspirations and achievements
Young people living in areas of deprivation tend to have lower aspirations and are significantly less likely to stay on at school after the age of 16*. The London School of Economics estimates that educational under-achievement costs the nation an astounding £18 billion in foregone earnings.
Aspirations that drive a young person's educational achievements are developed between the ages of 11 and 14. With the support of Greenhouse, eight out of ten young people are getting better grades at school and nine out of ten feel more confident about themselves. They are developing ambitious, achievable aspirations, combined with the self-esteem, self-efficacy, information and inspiration needed to persevere towards their goals.
Providing a deterrent to gangs and youth crime
70% of young people say that boredom often leads to crime and anti-social behaviour**. In many inner-city boroughs, lack of provision and facilities is often the main cause. Parents, guardians, teachers and coaches consistently confirm that Greenhouse is a force for change, diverting young people from gangs, crime and negative behaviour by channelling their energy in positive ways.
Engaging girls and young women in sport
There are increasing concerns about girls' participation in sport and physical activity. The gap between the boys and girls becomes wider as girls get older when, by the age of 14, four in ten girls drop out of sport. High school girls who play sports are:
- More confident and have lower levels of depression
- Less likely to be involved in an unintended pregnancy
- More likely to get better grades in school
- More likely to finish school
Teenage girls want activities that are social, have positive role models, are free and easy to access. We open the door to sport and physical activity with our all-girls club, as well as employing many female coaches across our programmes to inspire girls to keep active.
Improving health
20% of boys and 27% of girls are overweight in the UK. The main problem is said to be the continual reduction in the amount of exercise children take, with many ethnic minority groups tending to have lower participation rates than the national average. Two-thirds of our participants are from an ethnic minority and gain an additional hours of physical activity a week on our programmes.
*Aspiration and attainment amongst young people in deprived communities, Cabinet Office, 2008
**Make Space Youth Review, 4Children Charity, 2007
'Of the gang of 15 that I used to hang out with, only three of us have done something positive with our lives. I was lucky because table tennis offered me a way out. If we could get more sporting opportunities for kids in places where it's needed most, it would give others a way out too.'
Darius Knight, England no. 2 table tennis player (below)
