The charity, which was launched by the Manchester United defender and supports teenagers in care who are involved in street gangs or crime in Manchester, has been handed £270,820 for its Rising Stars project.
The project offers young people a 48-week employment and education course covering a range of sporting and media skills and leading to work experience placements.
Michael Nyarko, the foundation’s head of operations, said: “Rising Stars will provide a variety of positive engagement opportunities and activities supported by bespoke training with the long-term aim of supporting participants into employment or education.”
The second recipient of funding is global charity Fight For Peace (FFP), set up by former boxer Luke Dowdney to divert young people away from gang culture through boxing and other martial arts.
FFP has received £475,000 to provide activities for 11- to 25-year-olds at risk of crime in Newham, Waltham Forest and Redbridge. The focus will be on boxing and martial arts competitions and providing an alternative, safe way for young people to channel their aggression.
It also offers an education programme, offering GCSE-equivalent qualifications in English and Maths, as well as an employment role, with mentoring, careers advice and help gaining internships.
Marigold Ride, FFP head of programmes UK, said: “We use boxing and martial arts to open dialogue with some of the hardest to reach young people; including those involved in gangs or violence; ex-offenders and those who are not in education, training or employment.
“As well as engaging young people, these sports, when combined with additional youth services such as personal development and mentoring, also help to channel aggression, build self-confidence, instil discipline and provide transferable skills such as goal setting.”
The Big Lottery has made the money available through its Reaching Communities programme.
