The Amber Foundation provides young adults with the tools and guidance they need to overcome homelessness, find employment and build a positive future.
The challenge
In early November 2024 the Community Sport Team at Wiltshire Council visited the Amber Foundation in Trowbridge, a charity dedicated to supporting young adults facing complex challenges, to explore how sport could be used to develop resident’s independence and help them to lead healthier lifestyles.
The Amber Foundation provides young adults with the tools and guidance they need to overcome homelessness, find employment and build a positive future.
It was during this visit that we met Beau, a 20-year-old who had recently joined the Amber Foundation. A few months before meeting us, Beau became homeless. His home life had been difficult, and after a heated argument with family members, he
found himself without a place to live. Beau faced challenges in holding down jobs and struggled to find his true calling.
When we spoke to Beau, it was clear that sport was more than just a hobby for him; it was a way to channel his energy. His passion for sport was evident, making it clear that he could be a valuable role model for young people in the community.
At Amber, I kept to myself. I didn’t trust anyone. I followed the programme, then shut myself away in my room, staring at the walls, feeling like giving up. Three weeks in, my motivation was at an all-time low, and I struggled to see a way forward.” – Beau, 20-years-old".
The solution
After getting to know Beau, we thought that our Doorstep Sport Club would be brilliant for his own development, as well as providing a great opportunity to inspire the groups’ participants, through Beau’s enthusiasm for sport. Our Doorstep Sport Clubs are free-to-attend activities in some of Wiltshire’s most underserved communities, designed to provide opportunity and remove barriers for young people to enjoy being active.
We invited Beau to volunteer at our Doorstep Sports Club sessions in Studley Green, giving him the chance to gain experience and explore potential career paths in community sport. To help him feel comfortable, Lauren from our team joined the session, offering a familiar face and acted as a mentor for Beau, as he built confidence in the role.
When Beau arrived at his first session in, his excitement was infectious. He threw himself into the activities, building strong connections with the young participants. It was immediately clear that Beau had found a place where he belonged, the energy he brought to the session and his natural ability to lead were brilliant to see.
For the first time in a long time, I felt good, good enough to return the following week. And the week after that.”
Over the following weeks, Beau continued to volunteer at our Doorstep Sports Club sessions, steadily building both his confidence and his understanding of coaching requirements. As we spent more time with him, he began to open-up about the toll that his difficult circumstances had taken on his mental health. Speaking about the isolation and uncertainty he had felt during this difficult period but also sharing how his commitment to staying active, whether in the gym or through volunteering, was helping him manage these challenges.
Volunteering at Doorstep became my new escape. Every Wednesday, I had something to look forward to. It gave me purpose, motivation, and a sense of fulfilment I hadn’t experienced in years. Seeing the kids engage and knowing I was making a difference brought a sense of positivity I hadn’t felt in a long time. It helped me believe in myself again.”
His commitment was evident, and after two months of consistent involvement, we reached out to his caseworker at Amber Foundation to discuss how we could further support Beau’s growth. Together, we developed a plan to enhance his career prospects.
Knowing Beau’s love for rugby, we saw a perfect opportunity to connect him with the Bath Rugby Foundation (BRF), a charity we had partnered with to deliver sessions across the county. In early January 2025, we arranged a meeting for Beau with Alex Randall, the Community & Operations Manager at BRF, to explore opportunities with their organisation. However, when we arrived at Amber Foundation for the meeting, we learned that Beau had been struggling with motivation after the Christmas holidays. His caseworker explained that he was having a tough time engaging, especially after the break in routine over the Christmas period. Despite this, when Beau heard that Lauren and Alex were there to meet him, he quickly came to greet us, ready to take the next step.
During our meeting, we discussed how we could support Beau during this challenging period and help him find his motivation again. Alex invited Beau to attend a trial day at Bath Rugby Foundation, where he would have the opportunity to gain further experience and start the process to become a registered volunteer. If successful, this would open doors for Beau to access additional training and take on more responsibilities in community sport sessions.
The impact
The feedback after Beau’s trial day at Bath Rugby Foundation was glowing. Beau not only impressed the team but also demonstrated the qualities necessary to thrive in a sports coaching role. As a result, Bath Rugby Foundation have offered Beau a fixed-term, part-time position, dependant on achieving relevant qualifications.
Beau has continued to volunteer with us at Doorstep Sports Club and now also spends every Friday working alongside Alex at a school in Midsomer Norton. This role has given him the opportunity to further develop his coaching skills and build confidence in an education setting. The feedback from the school has been outstanding, with the headteacher praising Beau for his positive interactions with students and his ability to inspire them through sport.
For the first time, I can imagine a future - one where I’m doing something I love, something that gives me purpose. I want to make my family proud, and I truly believe I’m on the right path now. I’m incredibly grateful to Wiltshire Council for giving me this opportunity. They saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it in myself. Coaching has given me a reason to push forward, to believe in a better future, and to do something I love.”
Through the connections Beau has created at our Doorstep sessions, he has returned to regular rugby training himself, with Trowbridge RFC. Recently, a local business, inspired by Beau’s journey, funded his rugby membership and kit for the season, helping him overcome financial barriers to participation. This has had a huge impact on his mental health, providing positive outlets through sport and social connections.
With our support, Beau recently applied to Wiltshire’s Coach Bursary Scheme, the funding from this and further support from the Sport and Physical Activity team at Wiltshire Council will enable Beau to undertake a Level One and Two coaching qualification. The plan is to have these completed by May, which will then enable him to secure his offer of employment with Bath Rugby Foundation.
Thanks to volunteering, I now work with the Bath Rugby Foundation in local schools, lead sessions at Doorstep, and receive training to develop as a coach. Once I finish my training, I’ve even been offered a job with the Bath Rugby Foundation.”
Beau’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport and the difference that targeted support and opportunities can make in young people’s lives. His story highlights how community sport can play an important role in supporting wider care services to develop resilience, independence and confidence for vulnerable members of our community. The Sport and Physical Activity team look to use the power of sport, through working with support services and wider partners, to develop happier and healthier communities that empower people to flourish. Beau’s story is more than just about overcoming challenges; it showcases the power of community sport and the belief that with the right support, young people can thrive and inspire others. Beau continues to pursue his dreams, and we look forward to watching his journey unfold and seeing the positive impact he will continue to make on others.