Why Kick Start Matters

Kick Start began six years ago with the ‘Heroes Programme’. Today we offer this, plus a range of extra services to provide a complete service to schools, colleges and students.

Here’s why

Young people today face more challenges to their emotional development than ever before. Pressures come from a range of sources including:

  • The media’s portrayal of beauty and social success
  • Academic performance
  • How others see them
  • Problems with parents and teachers
  • Health and physical development
  • The pressures of simply being a teenager

Trying to live up to these expectations often leads to frustration, low self-esteem, depression and even anti-social behaviour. At Kick Start we help young people to build their lives on a foundation of self-acceptance, mutual respect and healthy decision-making. We also encourage them to look past the instant gratification of short-term highs and risky behaviour.

Kick starting lives through positive education

At the centre of the Heroes programme is the idea of positive education. By that, we mean education that teaches not just traditional skills but also the skills for happiness and wellbeing.

By teaching well-being in schools, we can give young people skills that will increase their resilience, positivity, engagement and general life satisfaction, as well as providing an antidote to depression. In our experience, promoting wellbeing results in better learning, more creative thinking and skills that prepare young people for life.

The results of Kick Start’s programmes?

After going through the Kick Start programmes, students are more confident, focused and positive. They also understand their goals and, more importantly, what they need to do to start achieving them.

Working with teachers

Find out how we can help both teachers and their students.

About our programmes

Find out more about our current range of programmes.

For parents and carers

Find out how you can play a part in the Kick Start programmes.