The Jack Petchey Foundation
How The Jack Petchey Foundation Supports UTurn
The Jack Petchey Foundation helps young people across London and Essex to believe in themselves, try new things and recognised for what they achieve. UTurn is proud to be apart of this, and their support makes a real difference to what we can offer young people in our community.
How The Jack Petchey Foundation Supports UTurn
We take part in the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme, the Foundation’s flagship programme for young people aged 11–25. It’s all about spotting those who go “above and beyond” – not just the highest achievers on paper, but young people who:
Show effort and commitment
Overcome challenges
Support others and make a positive impact
Act as role models within our groups
Young people, staff, volunteers and sometimes parents can put names forward. From those nominations, award winners are chosen and celebrated within UTurn, and then at special Jack Petchey celebration events where they receive a medallion in front of family and friends.
UTurn was invited to the Jack Petchey Awards for the first time in 2023, marking a big moment in recognising the achievements of the young people we support.
Wider opportunities for young people
Through the Jack Petchey Foundation’s wider programmes, youth organisations like UTurn can also connect young people to:
Educational visit grants – helping cover the costs of trips to museums, theatres, science shows and other learning experiences.
Volunteering grants – supporting young people who want to take part in volunteering projects in the UK or overseas.
These opportunities help our young people build confidence, independence and real-life skills beyond our usual sessions.
The difference it makes at UTurn
Because of the Jack Petchey Foundation’s support, UTurn can:
Recognise young people who might normally be overlooked
Encourage a culture of kindness, effort and peer support
Offer “extras” – trips, projects and equipment – that we couldn’t otherwise afford
Involve young people in making decisions about funding and activities
For many of our young people, receiving a Jack Petchey award is a turning point: it shows them that their effort matters, that others see their potential, and that they have a voice in shaping what happens at UTurn.
Thank you, Jack Petchey Foundation
We’re extremely grateful to the Jack Petchey Foundation for believing in our young people and investing in our work. Since 1999, the Foundation has invested over £180 million in programmes for young people aged 11–25 across London and Essex – and UTurn is proud to be one of the organisations benefitting from that vision.
If you’d like to know more about how the Jack Petchey scheme runs at UTurn, or how to nominate a young person for an award, please speak to a member of staff at one of our sessions or email info@uturn4support.co.uk.