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Lifeline Projects expands young people’s support thanks to Charles Hayward Foundation

By
LifeLine Comms Team
on
January 18, 2026

Lifeline Projects is pleased to announce that its Young People Services team has been awarded a grant from the Charles Hayward Foundation. This support will strengthen the delivery of intensive mentoring for young people who are at higher risk and in need of tailored guidance.

The Charles Hayward Foundation provides grants to charities across the United Kingdom and to selected overseas projects. Its funding focuses on several key areas, including social and criminal justice, overseas development within Commonwealth countries in Africa, support for older people, and heritage and conservation.

The grant awarded to Lifeline Projects sits within the social and criminal justice category, which aims to prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system and to support those already in contact with it.

This award will directly enhance our SW!TCH Lives programme, which offers structured one-to-one mentoring for young people who require intensive and sustained support. The funding will help the team respond to increasing demand and reduce waiting times for those most in need.

The grant will enable the following:

  • Sixteen young people per year receiving one-to-one mentoring and support for up to three school terms
  • Between six and eight intensive mentoring sessions delivered in total each week
  • Tailored support plans for each young person, created in partnership to meet their specific needs
  • 80% of young people referred to positive activities (such as sport, art, and trips) within their community
  • Several young people each year will be supported to progress into our SW!TCH Ambassadors programme to further cultivate their leadership skills

The programme aims to achieve:

  • A reduction in the current waiting list for high-risk referrals
  • A reduction in re-offending and escalation of offending behaviour
  • Improved wellbeing, resilience, and motivation for young people
  • Increased engagement with other supportive services within the system
  • Stronger family relationships, improved support networks, and healthier social influences

This support allows us to reach young people at a crucial point in their lives. It gives us the capacity to offer consistent and meaningful mentoring that helps them feel seen, supported and able to make positive choices. We are grateful for the trust placed in our work and for the opportunity to extend our reach to those who need us most.

The funding from the Charles Hayward Foundation will play a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable young people receive the guidance and encouragement they need to build safer and more hopeful futures.

Jenna-Marie Singh
Head of Young People's Services

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