MOPAC
A Foundation programme working with the Premier League to mentor youths
In light of the latest government advice on COVID-19, we have suspended delivery of all programmes involving direct social contact until further notice.
We are fully aware of how important Foundation programmes are to the health and wellbeing of participants – where possible, we shall endeavour to maintain contact with participants to offer support and advice during this difficult time.
TACKLING CRIME THROUGH FOOTBALL-BASED MENTORING
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation works with the Premier League and Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to deliver this successful football-based youth mentoring programme.
The year-long pilot programme has been delivered to over 1,300 12 to 18-year-olds across London – all identified as being involved or at risk of becoming involved in crime – through the London Premier League Kicks scheme, using football to steer young people away from crime.
Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has worked with over 350 people on the MOPAC initiative, offering one-to-one support through a mentor, personal development plans, volunteering opportunities and accessible pathways into employment. It is hoped that signposting individuals on to accessible pathways will challenge the negative elements a young person may come across on a daily basis such as engaging in criminal activities or gangs.
The aims of the project are to:
- Engage referred young people at risk of joining gangs/being perpetrators of knife crime
- Take direct referrals from other agencies of young people already known to relevant agencies
- Engage young people with personal development workshops
- Induct young people at risk or leaving gangs into short-term volunteering
- Provide in-depth volunteer placements
- Develop gang, gun and knife crime specific programmes with each of the Kicks programmes in London
- Signpost young people to further training, employment and education opportunities.
As a result of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s MOPAC scheme, over 60 young Londoners have found employment or enrolled in education and training provision.
In line with the Mayor’s ambitions for young people and plans to tackle youth crime, the Foundation works closely with its Kicks participants to turn them away from gang life and instead take part in football lessons and life skills workshops.
Prisoner Mentoring - Myton's Story
Myton was serving a custodial sentence before being referred to the Foundation for a mentoring programme designed to help reintegrate young offenders back into society.
The Club helped Myton through a difficult period in his life and found him an apprenticeship at a railway maintenance firm upon release.
MOPAC is a closed programme. Entry on to the programme is via referral only.
