Five years ago, we shared Taylor’s story - a young participant in Arsenal in the Community’s Talking Tactics programme. Back then, Taylor worked closely with mentor Jack Ferguson, learning to express his emotions, build friendships, and improve his mental health.
His journey showed how the programme offered something unique: a supportive, inspiring space where young people could develop real-life skills and confidence.
What set Talking Tactics apart was its ability to keep young people engaged through mental health mentoring, personalised goal-setting, and mentors who understood their cultural and local context - all delivered over a six-month period with sessions once a week.