Supporting Care Leavers Through Sport

Did you know that over a third of care leavers experience homelessness within two years? Or that one in three under-25s in prison has been through the care system?

These sobering statistics were front and centre at Fatima Whitbread’s recent One Voice Summit – a powerful call to action for better outcomes for care-experienced young people. Imogen Walsh, our lead for the Boats Not Bars programme, was in attendance and presenting on a panel at the One Voice Summit.

At Fulham Reach Boat Club, our Boats Not Bars programme works directly with those who find themselves at the intersection of the care and criminal justice systems. We believe that with the right support and community, young people can unlock their potential and rewrite their futures.

Recently, we've partnered with Daniele Lucia and the Homewood Group to offer rowing sessions for care leavers aged 18–25 who are also gaining qualifications in hospitality. This week saw our first rowing sessions take place for this group and they have taken to it really well, progressing quickly into rowing in our explore/tub boats. It’s not about creating elite athletes – it’s about offering something more fundamental: the chance to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, work as part of a team, and discover that they belong.

Sport has a unique way of opening doors. At Boats Not Bars, rowing becomes a vehicle not just for fitness, but for self-worth, stability, and hope. It’s about helping these young people do more than survive — it’s about helping them thrive.