1 / 13

Background music

Head Held High Logo
Head Held High

People Are Not Defined By Their Past

Early Intervention. Behaviour Change. Thrive.

Head Held High | Empowering Young People at Risk

School Exclusion is a Pipeline Into Violence

85%
of young offenders have experienced school exclusion
5x
more likely to be criminally exploited
£200k+
cost per young person entering youth justice system
<£50k
cost of prevention

Exclusion isn't just an education issue; it's a gateway to gang involvement, serious youth violence, and lost potential. Early intervention saves lives and money.

Reveal Courage. Take New Action. Thrive.

Head Held High Mission

"Head Held High empowers young people at risk of exclusion or youth violence to take new transformational action and thrive in their lives. We help create proactive tangible goals for clearer pathways to long-term success in wellbeing, education, and employment."

1000+ young people transformed 13 years proven track record

Interactive. Proactive. Results-Focused.

Head Held High Approach Head Held High Impact

Change from Day 1

Participants feel change from Day 1

Long-term Change

Long-term behaviour change, not short-term compliance

Comedy Approach

Comedy breaks through bravado to reveal true potential

Personal Coaching

One-to-one coaching alongside group work

Strong Partnerships

Partnerships with schools, DWP, Mind, Youth Offending Teams

People carry limitless ability. They just need someone to help shine a light.

Transform Anger Into Assertiveness

Programme 1: "The Best You"

The Best You Programme

Format

  • 6 weeks
  • 1.5-hour sessions
  • 10 participants
  • Ben Kinsella Trust partnership

Outcomes

  • ✓ Take responsibility for actions
  • ✓ Discover root causes of anger and hurt
  • ✓ Transform aggressive responses into assertive communication
  • ✓ Reveal passions and career goals
  • ✓ Create winning personal statements
  • ✓ 4 follow-up one-to-one sessions post-course

Results: Maintained education positions | Reduced exclusions & detentions | Increased self-worth

Find Your Voice Through Comedy

Programme 2: "Stand Up For Yourself"

Stand Up For Yourself Programme

Format

  • 6 weeks
  • 2-hour sessions
  • 10 participants
  • Professional comedian coaching

What Participants Do

  • ✓ Learn from stand-up comedians
  • ✓ Participate in confidence-building exercises
  • ✓ Master comedic technique and storytelling
  • ✓ Receive one-on-one coaching with a professional comedian
  • ✓ Perform live comedy set to an audience

Results: Improved mental health | Increased self-esteem | Transformed negative patterns into positive action

Reach Scale. Impact Groups.

Presentations

Custom Presentations

45 mins to 3 hours

  • Unswayed
    Focus & Distraction
  • Walk the Talk
    Assertive Communication
  • Big Up
    Self-Worth & Confidence
  • Revise Wise
    Purpose & Routine
Residential Adventures

Residential Adventures

Partnership with UK Youth

  • Outdoor activities + motivational workshops
  • Kayaking, tree climbing, mountain biking
  • Challenge by choice | Personal development focus
  • Growth + enjoyment

Results That Protect Futures

Impact Results

✓ Prevention of school exclusions

✓ Prevention of gang involvement

✓ Young people remaining in education

✓ Improved behaviour, attendance, engagement

✓ Expanded access to further education, training, employment

✓ Reduced youth justice costs

✓ Improved mental health and wellbeing

"M.F. had a high number of lesson removals due to low engagement, poor behaviour, and a negative attitude towards learning. Head Held High helped build his confidence and with encouragement, he is now thriving in a top London media school."

Cost of Action vs. Cost of Inaction

Prevention Investment

<£50,000

per young person

It costs four times more for a young person to enter the youth justice system at the age of 16 (£200,000) than it does for them to avoid it (less than £50,000)

Youth Justice Costs

£200,000+

per young person over time

Includes: policing, courts, custody, and wider social costs

ROI: Early intervention delivers strong social return on investment while reducing demand on public services (policing, courts, custody, long-term unemployment support).

Make Tangible Difference. Meet Your Impact Goals.

Partnerships

Achieve Impact Objectives

Achieve ESG, CSR, and Community Impact objectives

Scale Prevention

Support prevention at scale

Measurable Outcomes

Measurable, verifiable outcomes

Build Reputation

Build brand reputation in youth development

Proven Track Record

13 years of proven delivery

Partnerships to Date

Secondary schools London-wide | Department for Work and Pensions | Mind | Pupil referral units | Youth offending teams | Young homeless projects

Support 200 Young People Per Year

Investment Required

£180,000

per year

(3-year partnership)

Cost Per Young Person: £900 per year

What It Achieves

  • ✓ 200 young people per year in behaviour change programmes
  • ✓ Life-changing intervention at critical moment
  • ✓ Prevention of exclusion, gang involvement, and crime
  • ✓ Creation of pathways to education, employment, and wellbeing

Let's Get to the Root Cause

"So young people don't just survive; they thrive with Head Held High."

Contact

Tash Alexander

tash@headheldhigh.org.uk

07826 183405

"Every young person deserves someone to help them shine a light on their limitless capability."

Research-Backed Figures

All data from UK Government bodies, registered charities, NHS sources, and peer-reviewed academic institutions

Key Sources

  • [1] Children's Commissioner for England (2023)
  • [2] Youth Endowment Fund (2025)
  • [3] National Youth Agency (2024)
  • [4] Madia, J.E., et al. (2022) - Peer-reviewed research
  • [5] Education Policy Institute & ONS (2024)
  • [6] Valdebenito et al. - Campbell Collaboration (2025)
  • [7] UK Youth (2022)
  • [8] NHS Confederation & CF Analysis (2024)
  • [9] Children's Commissioner for England (2023)
  • [10] Education & Skills Funding Agency (2023)
  • [11] Youth Justice Board (2025)

Full references and data sources available in downloadable format. All claims are research-validated and backed by credible institutions.