NEWS STORY : Mayor announces new £1m sports investment featuring holiday activities for young people at greatest risk of violence [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 9 April 2025.

• Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) investing in a range of activities this Easter and over the next year
• Since the VRU was set up, it has delivered more than 400,000 diversionary activities for young people
• Funding for community-led projects to deliver physical activity and mentoring for up to 2,000 young people in areas of the capital most underrepresented by sport
• Compared to when the VRU was set up, there has been a 31 per cent reduction in homicides and a 28 per cent fall in hospital admissions for knife injuries of under-25s

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), the first in England and Wales, is investing a further £1m to deliver sports and physical activities for young people at greatest risk of being affected by violence.

Activities begin this Easter with up to 20 community-led projects across London getting a slice of the investment over the next year to deliver opportunities during all school holidays for almost 2,000 young people most underrepresented in sport.

Since the VRU was set up, it has delivered more than 400,000 diversionary activities for young people. During this time, there has been a 31 per cent reduction in homicides, a 28 per cent drop in hospital admissions of under-25s as a result of assault with a sharp object, and a 12 per cent reduction in robbery. Last year also saw the lowest number of homicides of under-25s in more than 20 years. However, the Mayor has always been clear that one death as a result of violence is one too many and is committed to working in partnership to drive down violence in London.

Funding will be used to deliver a variety of sports interventions for young people over the next year. There will be a strong emphasis on targeted provision and delivery during school holidays to provide safe spaces for young people and access to activities to benefit both their physical and mental health. Diversionary activities will work to support young people during the school break when evidence shows they are more vulnerable to exploitation and to violence.

It’s part of the VRU’s approach to prevent and tackle violence by providing opportunities for young people and access to youth work, youth clubs and community hubs. Research suggests that sports interventions can have an impact in tackling violence.

Alongside funding for holiday provision, investment in sport over the next year will support a further 1,000 young people as they prepare to transition from primary to secondary school. Access to a mentor and sports sessions will combine to support those at greatest risk of exclusion to engage in education and school life.

It will also provide sports internships for young people in major sport sector organisations and build on connections and careers already developed with the likes of the Lawn Tennis Association, GB Snowsport and Formula E.

Funding for sport builds on the Mayor’s investment in his VRU, which he set up and funds to lead on prevention and early intervention to drive down violence in the capital. VRU investment in sport and physical activity since 2023 has already delivered activities including sport sessions, mentoring and internship programmes, for more than 10,000 young people.

Sport plays a key part in the VRU’s approach to tackling violence, which includes interventions to tackle school exclusions and keep young people safe in and out of school, and funding youth work and access to positive opportunities.

Today, the Mayor and VRU director, Lib Peck, visited a youth club in Westminster. The youth club is funded by the VRU to deliver activities including multi-sport, music production, wellbeing sessions and healthy cooking for young people during the holiday period. Sadiq and Lib did some cooking with chef and influencer Nathaniel ‘Natty’ Mortley during the visit. Natty spent two years in prison and has turned his life around. He is passionate about young people accessing positive opportunities to help set them up for their futures.

Other activities funded by the VRU, City Hall and others can be found on the Local Village Network app and signposting website, which offers thousands for live youth services, activities and job opportunities for young Londoners.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “My top priority is to be tough on violence and tough on its complex causes to build a safer London for everyone.

“I have been clear that we can’t arrest our way out of this issue and that’s why a key part of my approach to tackling violence is investing in prevention and positive opportunities for young people, at the same time as providing record investment in policing for enforcement.

“My Violence Reduction Unit is investing a further £1 million for sports and physical activities during the holidays and beyond, delivering on my commitment to provide a further 250,000 positive opportunities for young people and access to youth clubs and hubs.”

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Sport and physical activity play hugely important roles in a young person’s life, providing opportunities to develop skills, teamwork and access to positive role models in coaches and youth workers.

“Working with the Mayor, we’re funding a range of activities and opportunities for young people during the holidays when we know they are at greatest risk of exploitation and violence.

“Prevention and delivering thousands of positive activities for young people is critical to tackling violence and whilst our work is having impact, it’s clear there is more to do. We’re committed to working in partnership across London to keep young people safe because we believe violence is preventable, not inevitable.”

Chef Nathaniel ‘Natty’ Morley, aka @nattycancook_ on socials, said: “I know first-hand how important it is that young people are able to access positive opportunities and role models, and how proper support can be lifechanging. If I had been able to take up activities like these, I believe I would have been able to get my life on track much sooner, so I’m really pleased that the Mayor has announced this £1m investment. Everyone deserves the chance to succeed, and the VRU programmes are helping level the playing field.”

Marcus Leon, programme manager at the Avenues Youth Project, said: “As a former member and resident of this area, I experienced first-hand how transformational The Avenues Youth Project can be. Many of my first experiences happened during the school holidays in this youth club.

“Having a free service that provides such a wide range of activities and experiences is invaluable in Westminster. The funding we received from the VRU ensures that we can give the children and young people of this area experiences that are not normally afforded to them. It also allows us to provide sports coaching for activities such as judo, boxing, and football — which can be unaffordable at times for some families.

“We want to ensure that children and young people have equal opportunities, no matter their background or circumstances.”

Kyanne Auguste-Walker, a young person who uses the youth club, said: “Having The Avenues is like having a second family, that always has cool stuff happening and people that are there for you. Avenues is our safe space.”

Emily Robinson, London Sport CEO, said: “Sport has the power to change lives, and from our vital work across the capital, we know that access to physical activity and positive role models can play a vital role in supporting young people’s wellbeing and future opportunities.

“London Sport is proud to support the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit in investing in community-led sports initiatives that provide safe spaces, mentorship, and life-enhancing experiences for young Londoners. This funding will help ensure more young people, particularly those at risk of violence, have the opportunity to benefit from the positive impact of sport.”