Walking the long road with young people

K came out of Feltham with nowhere stable to go and no one he trusted. His mentor met him the day he was released, helped him into  safe accommodation, and stayed close through the first difficult weeks. When K was matched with his mentor he began to open up, set small goals, and rebuild confidence. Today he’s in training, reconnecting with family, and planning for work. He says the biggest difference was “having someone who didn’t disappear when things got messy.”

M had always loved football, but after leaving Feltham he felt cut off from everything that once gave him joy. He was struggling with confidence, routine, and finding a place to belong. During a conversation with his resettlement worker, he mentioned Brentford FC — almost in passing — as the club he’d always supported.

FCCT reached out to Brentford’s community team, who offered M a chance to visit the stadium and meet staff involved in their programmes. What began as a simple visit became a turning point. M was welcomed, listened to, and treated as someone with potential rather than a problem to be managed.

Over the next few months, he took part in sessions that helped him rebuild confidence, structure his week, and reconnect with something positive. His mentor walked with him through the nerves, the setbacks, and the small wins. M says it was “the first time I felt part of something again.”

Today, he’s exploring training opportunities and talks about the future with a sense of hope. The Brentford connection didn’t fix everything — but it opened a door, and FCCT walked the long road with him through it.

A had been in and out of custody since he was 15. He expected the same cycle to continue. But through regular meetings in custody and consistent support after release, he began to imagine a different future. His mentor helped him practise interviews, build a CV, and take steps towards work. A now has a part‑time job and says he feels “the most stable I’ve ever been.”

J struggled with anxiety and isolation after release. FCCT supported him with appointments, routines, and safe spaces to talk. Over time, he built confidence, joined a local gym, and started volunteering. He says the support “helped me find my feet again and feel like I belong somewhere.”