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<\/p>\nBristol City Robins Foundation, Bristol Bears Foundation and Empire Fighting Chance have joined forces to launch United Bristol, an innovative sport-led employability programme supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training.<\/p>\n
The new NEET programme forms part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority\u2019s expanded Youth Guarantee Trailblazer scheme, backed by an additional \u00a32 million investment to help more than 1,000 young people across the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
United Bristol will use the power of sport to support 18-21-year-olds from areas of deprivation in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, helping them build confidence, develop skills and progress into employment, apprenticeships or training.<\/p>\n
By combining three charities with a proven track record of transforming lives through football, rugby and boxing, United Bristol offers a consistent, city-wide approach to engaging young people who may be struggling with confidence, poor mental wellbeing, limited support networks or disengagement from education and employment.<\/p>\n
Officially launching on July 1st 2026, United Bristol will provide participants with personalised, needs-led support over three to 12 months, including mentoring, sport-based activities, employability and life skills workshops, accredited qualifications, workplace visits, volunteering, work experience and guidance with applications.<\/p>\n
Through completing the United Bristol programme, participants can gain recognised qualifications, transferable skills, stronger connections with employers and training providers, and ongoing mentoring support to help sustain positive outcomes.<\/p>\n
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\nChris Stenner, Chief Community Officer from Bristol City Robins Foundation said:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThis groundbreaking partnership brings together three of Bristol\u2019s largest and most established sports charities to deliver a powerful, city-wide programme for young people across the West of England. By combining the reach, expertise and community impact of Bristol City Robins Foundation, Bristol Bears Foundation and Empire Fighting Chance, we can create life-changing opportunities for young people who are not currently in education, employment or training.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuilding on decades of work across South, Central and North Bristol, and the wider WECA region, this programme will use the power of sport to raise aspirations, build confidence and provide real pathways into employment, education and volunteering over the next three years, made possible through the Mayor\u2019s Youth Guarantee Fund.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nOllie Morton, Head of Projects and Development at Bristol Bears Foundation<\/strong>: \u201cWe know that many young people in our city face significant barriers when it comes to progressing into employment, education or training, and too often those challenges can impact confidence, mental wellbeing and future aspirations.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnited Bristol is about creating opportunities and providing the right support at the right time. By bringing together the strengths of Bristol Bears Foundation, Bristol City Robins Foundation and Empire Fighting Chance, we\u2019re able to offer young people a unique programme that combines the power of sport with personalised mentoring, skills development and real-world experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis partnership represents a shared commitment to helping young people realise their potential, build brighter futures and access sustainable pathways into employment, education and training. We\u2019re proud to be working together to deliver a programme that will make a lasting difference across Bristol and the wider region.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nMegan Knowelden, Head of Programmes at Empire Fighting Chance:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cYoung people who are out of education, employment or training aren\u2019t lacking potential, they\u2019ve often developed resilience, determination and strength through the challenges they\u2019ve faced. What\u2019s needed is the right environment where those qualities are recognised and supported, so they can see new possibilities for themselves and take the next step forward. <\/p>\n
\u201cBefore moving into work, it\u2019s about building trust, confidence and a sense of belief. That\u2019s where sport can be so powerful. It creates spaces where relationships form, confidence grows, and young people reconnect with what they are capable of.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnited Bristol brings together three organisations with different strengths but a shared belief: every young person deserves the chance to thrive. By combining our experience across boxing, football and rugby, we\u2019re creating more opportunities for young people to develop their skills, discover what drives them, and move into employment, education or training on their own terms.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\nHelen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that Bristol City Robins Foundation, Bristol Bears Foundation and Empire Fighting Chance are coming together in this exciting new partnership, backed by my Youth Guarantee Fund.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe West of England\u2019s Youth Guarantee is there to give young people new opportunities in training and work. By harnessing the power of sport to inspire, engage, and connect with young people from all backgrounds, United Bristol offers a unique programme to help them develop the confidence, self-esteem and skills needed to thrive in both life and the workplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important step forward in our ambition to become the country\u2019s first NEET Zero region, where everyone has the opportunity to succeed in a fairer economy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
ABOUT UNITED BRISTOL<\/strong><\/p>\n
United Bristol is a collaborative employability programme delivered by Bristol City Robins Foundation, Bristol Bears Foundation and Empire Fighting Chance. Through sport, mentoring and skills development, the programme supports 18\u201321-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training to build confidence and progress into sustainable education, employment, apprenticeships or training opportunities.<\/p>\n
ABOUT YOUTH GUARANTEE TRAILBLAZER PROGRAMME<\/strong><\/p>\n
The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, led by Mayor Helen Godwin, has secured an additional \u00a35million of national government funding to expand the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme for 2026\/27 and has announced a \u00a32m Mayor\u2019s Youth Guarantee Fund to empower community organisations to support over 1,000 more young people in the next three years.<\/p>\n
Through this funding, the West of England is\u00a0pioneering new ways to support young people aged 18\u201321 who are not in education, employment or training. Delivered in partnership with local councils, the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer is funded by the UK Government and forms part of the national Get Britain\u00a0Working strategy. The West of England Youth Guarantee is a key initiative from Skills Connect*, the one-stop shop for training, skills and careers information in the region.<\/p>\n
For further information about United Bristol, please contact:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Danielle Southwick \u2013 Bristol City Robins Foundation (danielle.southwick@bcfc.co.uk<\/a>),\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Josh Ladbury \u2013 Bristol Bears Foundation(jladbury@bristolbearsrugby.com<\/a>),\u00a0<\/p>\n