Review of the Boost Lift Project for vulnerable young people

The Mental Health Partnership team work with Healthwatch Islington and Islington’s Mental Health Core team to connect NHS and community services to offer better outcomes for patients. The team approached Lift, a youth hub in Islington, to explore creative options to support vulnerable young people. From this, the idea of Boost was generated, a way to guide young people, experiencing mental health challenges to find positive outcomes through exercise and activity. A successful bid was submitted to Sport England and funding raised for a year.

The teams worked with 14 young people on this project. The cohort of young people have experienced various challenges around isolation, suicidal ideation, involvement with gangs, domestic abuse, as migrants and have experienced hardship in their lives. Some also had diagnoses of neurodiversity.  This report looks at the impact of this project on participants' lives and health.

Nine of the attendees are motivated to attend regular activity

All the engaged attendees feel physically fitter

Attendees are more aware of fun and opportunities (employment, skills, social) and more confident to engage with them 

Six attendees who were under the care of Islington's Mental Health Core team have been discharged 

All the participants have had support around nutrition, various exercise options, wellbeing links, volunteering and training

On a partnership level, the success of integrating support between statutory and community expertise is highly positive. This project demonstrates person-centred care where trust in Partnership and Lift teams impacts on the young people. The coaches at Lift are seen as role models who genuinely increase motivation and confidence for young people who have experienced adversity.