RISE began in 2017 with a desire to connect with and support boys in our local community in South Leeds. Starting small we have grown to now support over 100 boys every year through mentoring programs, knife and gang crime education workshops, sports sessions, youth groups and much more! In everything we do we aim to be role models to the boys we work with and inspire belief that they can achieve more in life than what’s expected. Our small team of experienced and qualified youth workers work in a trauma informed and with a child centred approach.
In everything we do, we aim to educate, equip and encourage all the boys that we work with. Please read more about our specific programs of work below. If you would like to refer a young person to one of our groups please email rise@stlukescares.org.uk to get in touch.
Mentoring
We provide one-to-one mentoring in local high schools supporting and journeying with boys aged 11-16. Life’s not easy at the best of times and having the opportunity to get something off your chest or talk through a problem can make a massive difference. We would believe every young person needs to have their voice heard and through mentoring we provide a platform to help boys process their emotions and take positive steps forward in their lives.
Violence Reduction & Healthy Relationships Workshops
We have written our own bespoke 6 week course that we run in local highschools and in the community where we educate at risk boys on pressing issues such as knife crime, grooming, CSE (child sexual exploitation), CCE (child criminal exploitation) and consent. We have made the course as engaging and practical as possible and continuously update this resource to make sure it is as relevant and impactful as possible in this everchanging space.
Self-Esteem Workshops
We also run small groups in schools to support boys with different issues such as low self-esteem, anger, bullying and how to make positive choices. Schools aren’t always an easy place to be and many boys struggle to adapt to highschool life. Through our 6 week course we aim to give boys the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school.
Friday Football
Every Friday in Holbeck we run football sessions for young people in the local area. We try to make the games as fun as possible whilst encouraging good sportsmanship and teamwork. The group has grown massively since we started and we now run 3 sessions for ages 8-18 every week. In Summer you will find us on Holbeck Moor and in winter we are running from Health For All Community Centre.
RISE Bike Club
We run mountain bike and BMX groups in partnership with Leeds Urban Bike Park, where we teach young people how to jump, turn and overcome fears in a safe environment. Biking is a brilliant way to exercise, have fun and grow confidence as you learn a new and exciting skill. Our youth workers have been specially trained to deliver these sessions in an engaging and safe manner.
Thursday Youth Group
Every Thursday night we meet at Involve in Hunslet to hang out, play games and generally have a fun time! This involves table tennis, pool, playstation, board games, group games, basketball, dodgeball and well the list really does keep going! Boys who are at highschool can attend the group for free and we even provide transport in our minibus to make sure everyone can get there! We also take the group on regular trips to places like Laser Quest, Jump Inc as well as hikes and residentials into the surrounding countryside!
Watch our video of our youth projects at St Luke’s
Learn more about the RISE and SHINE project at St Luke’s Cares
To make a referral for a young person to receive support from RISE please email rise@stlukescares.org.uk to ask for a referral form.
To find out more about The RISE Project and what we can offer please email rise@stlukescares.org.uk