What we have achieved together
Circle of Friends
The Circle of Friends project is a first-of-its-kind peer support group early intervention from the My Tomorrow campaign. Children in Birmingham aged 10 to 14 years who may be at risk of disengagement, conflict, or vulnerability are referred for the 8 week programme by their schools. Support groups are formed of up to 6 children who are friends, peers or siblings. There might be concerns about them from their school, the police or their own parents due to behavioural issues, school absence, anti-social behaviour, bullying or tensions within the group.
Youth workers from The Children’s Society run at least two group sessions a week in schools, youth centres and family hubs. They work with small friendship groups rather than individuals, helping young people:
- build trust
- improve communication
- manage challenges such as anxiety, bullying, school absence, and emotional regulation
Young people say the programme helps them make better decisions and manage conflict more positively. Schools report better attendance, fewer detentions, and improved behaviour.
The project is funded by Birmingham Community Safety Partnership and the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership.
My Tomorrow All Girls Football Tournament
The My Tomorrow All Girls Football Tournament was held at the Tally Ho Centre in Edgbaston, the West Midlands Police training headquarters.
It was organised and supported by the following partners to remove the barriers that side-line girls in football:
- Birmingham City Council
- West Midlands Police
- West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership
- The Police and Crime Commissioner
The tournament aimed to promote the value of the grassroots game in the lives of women and girls, and inspire the next generation as part of the youth-led My Tomorrow campaign.
This video shows a compilation of action photos of girls playing football matches during the tournament.
My Tomorrow Barbers Shop
The My Tomorrow Barbers Shop was set up at the Lighthouse Youth Centre during Black History Month by Birmingham Youth Service, Community Safety Team and the Birmingham Children’s Trust to provide a safe space for young men to talk about their mental health.
The dance studio was transformed into a pop-up barber shop offering free trims to young men who were encouraged to open up about their mental health and future aspirations, with the aim of sparking conversations within their local communities.
The new initiative focused on three main key areas:
- mental health awareness
- future aspirations
- support needed to achieve goals
Page last updated: 26 January 2026
