The benefits of the Skilltrain experience are wide ranging:

Addressing deep social exclusion:  Skilltrain primarily works with deeply excluded young people and gives them the opportunity to re-engage with the system by learning new skills in ways that are sensitive to their needs.

Prevention:  Recent Home Office research shows that 80% of all those serving time in prison fall well below the minimum educational standard.  It has been proven that if we can improve a young person’s education in a meaningful way, there is less chance that they will offend. 

Community spirit: Skilltrain’s interventions lead to a better engaged society in South London as each child is encouraged to turn their backs on negative influences, fulfil their true potential and play a valuable role in the local community.

Access to education and learning: many young people find that we are the catalyst to them re-entering the world of learning. Through skilltrain they turn their backs on exclusion and discover how to interact confidently with other young people. They become more motivated to engage in group activities, and acquire positive life and social skills.

More effective schools:  Skilltrain projects contribute to the reduction of the number of days lost in truancy and disruptive behaviour in general in local schools.  This provides a better working environment for teaching staff and, ultimately, better academic results. 

Safer neighbourhoods:  If we can get more young people back into school, there is less chance of young people partaking in irresponsible gang culture, shoplifting and other forms of anti social behaviour.