Before you join
Check the age group, venue and whether booking or a referral is needed. If a booking link is shown, use it for current availability.
Ask about Champions →
← Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Champions
Targeted one-to-one mentoring and positive activities for young people at risk of serious violence.
Age
10–25
Cost
Free support
Approach
Voluntary & confidential
Area
Lancashire
About the programme
Champions
Champions is a targeted serious violence prevention programme for Lancashire residents aged 10–25, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. It provides client-led diversionary support, one-to-one mentoring and creative activities for young people with known violence or knife-crime offences, or those assessed as being at demonstrably high risk. Champions is the higher-tier programme in a prevention pathway alongside Changing Ends.
Enquire about Champions →How it works
One-to-one support to prevent serious violence.
Champions offers client-led mentoring, creative activities and diversionary support to disrupt high-risk behaviours and build safer, more positive opportunities. The programme forms part of a stepped prevention pathway with Changing Ends.
✓
Support towards education, training or employment.
✓
Help to reduce practical barriers affecting progression.
✓
Positive activities and goal-setting in the community.
✓
Support tailored to the young person following referral and risk assessment.
Important to know
The relationship is voluntary.
Participation is voluntary. Referrals are assessed for risk, eligibility and programme capacity. Those at demonstrably high risk without a qualifying offence should be discussed with the programme manager before referral; not every referral can be accepted.
Champions FAQs
Good to know before you start.
Quick answers to the questions we are most often asked about this programme.
Who can Champions support?
Lancashire residents aged 10–25, including Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, with a conviction or known involvement in violence or knife crime may be eligible. Where there is demonstrably high risk but no qualifying offence, discuss the case with the programme manager before referring.
Is the programme voluntary?
Yes. Engagement with a Champions coach is voluntary.
Is the support confidential?
The programme is confidential within normal safeguarding and legal limits. The team will explain this clearly when support begins.
What types of support are available?
Client-led one-to-one mentoring, creative activities and diversionary support to reduce serious violence risks and help young people take positive steps.
How can someone be referred?
Contact the Champions team to discuss eligibility and referral. Acceptance depends on individual risk assessment and available capacity. Sexual offence cases and people post-conviction expecting a custodial sentence are currently excluded.
Support to take part
Tell the team if you would like to discuss access, communication or additional support before your first session. We can explain what to expect.
Talk to the team →Your wellbeing matters
If something worries you at an ASCT activity, speak to a member of staff or contact our safeguarding team.
Safeguarding contacts →
Community Engagement
Ready for the next step?
Use the option below to book, enquire or contact the team about Champions.