The Respect Young People’s Service is part of a new Comic Relief funded Sport for Change project in the West Midlands, alongside partners Roshni, Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid, Beyond Equality, The Change Foundation, Fight for Peace and Football Beyond Borders.

Tackling Harmful Norms is a project that supports young people with learning about healthy relationships and stopping violence against women and girls. It will use sport and physical activity to engage young people, promote equality, positive role models and challenge behaviours linked to violence against women and girls. It will help to implement early interventions that encourage boys and young men to become role models and leaders while also championing a culture of respect and healthy masculinity.  

As part of this project, the Respect Young People’s Service plans to expand its existing toolkit, ‘The Dating Detox’ which teaches young people about healthy relationships, masculinity and gender equality. Alongside this, they will train sports coaches and mentors to deliver the sessions, and co-design sessions with input from young people.  

“Our focus is very much on prevention and early intervention, changing beliefs and changing attitudes.  This funding is about positive masculinity and positive relationships, so it just felt like a good fit for us.”  Alice Lilley, Implementation Lead, Respect Young People’s Service.  

As part of this work, we have an exciting opportunity for organisations across the West Midlands to help young people influence this project. 

We are looking for organisations to host small focus groups with young people aged 11–18 to support the development of our Sport for Change project.  

We are particularly keen to hear from organisations supporting young people who are not engaging in education, as it is vital that their voices and experiences are included in shaping this work.  

Why get involved?  

This is an opportunity for young people to: 

  • Share their experiences in a safe and supported environment 
  • Help influence future services and support 
  • Build confidence in expressing their views and ideas 
  • We are flexible and happy to work around schedules, group needs, and safeguarding or consent processes. 

We would like to facilitate a small, informal focus group: 

  • Around 60 minutes in length 
  • With approximately 5–8 young people 
  • Delivered either on-site or virtually, depending on what works best for your setting.  

What we will provide: 

  • Fully facilitated, low-pressure discussion session 
  • All materials and a session structure 
  • £20 Amazon vouchers for participating young people 
  • Food and refreshments 
  • Financial remuneration for staff time 
  • A clear safeguarding approach and risk assessment 
  • A summary of findings for your organisation to use internally 
  • Opportunities to engage in the wider Sport for Change project. 

If your organisation is interested in supporting this work, we would love to hear from you. For more information and further details, email Alice Lilley at  [email protected].