Building Futures: Funding Renewal Enhances Opportunities for Local Young People
Street League is delighted to announce funding via North Ayrshire Council has been renewed for 26/27, allowing us to continue our essential work in the region. To find out more about what this means for the local area, we spoke to Ross Gilmour, Operations Manager for North Ayrshire.
In today’s article, Ross also shares with us insights into his role at Street League and some great advice for young people who may be thinking of signing up to a Street League academy.
How has this funding contributed to our outcomes and overall impact in North Ayrshire?
The funding enables us to deliver a robust service in North Ayrshire, where unemployment rates are particularly high. Supporting young people in this area is therefore especially important. So far this year, our academy has supported 48 young people, with 36 of them progressing into positive destinations.
What opportunities has this funding created for Street League participants?
Funding has allowed us to create a programme that is structured, offers a positive routine, allows young people to work on their health and fitness, and also allows young people to be introduced to the local labour market and employers through visits and work placements. This provides opportunities our young people might not get without that funding.
Going forward, what does this funding renewal mean for the communities and individuals we work with in North Ayrshire?
We’ve been in North Ayrshire for over 10 years now, so the continuation of funding allows us to offer support to the young people of the local community, helping develop a new generation of talent coming through in an organisation that they know and that they trust.
What does a typical day in your role look like?
A typical day usually starts with catching up with the team and making sure our young people have everything they need. From there, it’s about keeping our trackers up to date, ensuring our data and performance are on point, and offering support wherever it’s needed. I also spend time building relationships with employers and partners, making sure we can provide the best possible opportunities for the young people we work with.
One of the best things about being an Operations Manager at Street League is that no two days are the same. I get the chance to work across almost every department, which is great. It means I’m constantly connecting with different teams and getting a real sense of the wider impact we’re making.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking of signing up for a Street League programme in North Ayrshire?
I’d say come along and give it a try. Be open to new opportunities as you never know what path that might lead you down.
If you had to describe Street League in three words, what would they be?
I'd describe Street League as fun, professional, and inclusive.
Is there a particular success story from your region that really stands out to you?
There have been lots of success stories, but one that really stands out is Laura. She joined our programme from another training provider where she had been receiving a lot of one-to-one support. When she first arrived, she was quite shy and anxious about being in a larger group, especially as the group she was joining was predominantly male.
Our staff worked closely with Laura, taking a person-centred approach to her learning. Together, they created a plan to help her feel comfortable taking part not only in Street League workshops, but in the sport sessions too.
We received some really positive feedback from Laura about how the team supported her to open up and grow in confidence. Since then, she’s applied for several jobs, secured a work trial, and successfully landed a role in retail which was a career path she was keen to explore.
The renewal of funding through North Ayrshire Council marks an important step in continuing Street League’s impact within the region. As Ross highlights, it’s not just about sustaining a service, it’s about creating real opportunities, building confidence, and supporting young people into positive destinations.
Stories such as Laura’s are an example of what can be achieved with the right support, environment, and encouragement. With trusted programmes in place and strong community partnerships, Street League will continue to empower young people across North Ayrshire to realise their potential and take positive steps towards their futures.
Ryan Tait (left) and Blair McKie (right) from our North Ayrshire team pictured with Liam (middle), who was successful in landing a role at Nando's after participating in a Street League programme.