Govia Thameslink Railway and West Sussex County Council has funded a mentoring programme run by top UK athletes including former World Champion sailor Sarah Ayton (centre). More pictures at bottom of press release

Press release - 6 May 2025 09:22

UK’s top former athletes mentor West Sussex youngsters to tackle ASB

Rail firm Govia Thameslink Railway and West Sussex County Council Violence Reduction Unit fund education programme

B-roll is available of case study former World Champion sailor and double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ayton and GTR Community Engagement Manager talking about the programme at a recent sailing taster day with some of the youths at Hove Lagoon

Some of Britain’s top former athletes have been mentoring young people from across West Sussex, providing them with a positive role model to help reduce antisocial behaviour in local communities and at railway stations.

Govia Thameslink Railway and West Sussex County Council’s Violence Reduction Unit have together funded three Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship athletes to deliver a mentoring programme arranged by Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

The Trust has been working for three months at West Sussex Alternative Provision College at their Lancing, Burgess Hill, Littlehampton and Crawley schools. The college provides a caring, positive environment where young people are valued and supported through a personalised curriculum which challenges them to reach their potential.

Young people across West Sussex have been engaged in antisocial behaviour both in and around stations and their local communities, in particular along the Southern West Coastway rail route. Children have also been risking their lives playing chicken on the tracks view past press release here.

Athletes, especially those who have reached the pinnacle of their career, possess a unique set of skills and experiences. They know how to achieve their goals and apply resilience during the highs and lows of competitive sport and life. Young people really respond to them and the positivity of their can-do, never quit attitude.

The 11-week programme adapted for each of the colleges aimed to transform behaviour by boosting wellbeing, increasing confidence and self-worth, strengthening resilience and building self-esteem. The aim was to show young people the impact of their actions and equip them with the knowledge and skills to choose a positive path in life.

The three athletes (pictured below, left to right) were:

Littlehampton APC – Liz Johnson, Paralympic gold medallist and World and European Champion swimmer and World record holder
Crawley APC – Hannah Beharry, two time British and European Champion boxer
Lancing and Burgess Hill APC – Sarah Ayton, former World Champion sailor and double Olympic gold medallist

Each of the four programmes ended with a celebration event. At Lancing APC, two teenagers (aged 14 and 16) took a Southern train to Portslade with their mentor, Olympic double gold medallist, sailor Sarah Ayton, for a sailing taster session in Hove Lagoon (see pictures below and broadcast B-roll).

Rob Whitehead, Community Engagement Manager at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “This fabulous partnership with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, GTR and West Sussex County Council is one of several ways we are tackling the antisocial behaviour that we’ve seen at our stations and on our trains, particularly along the Southern West Coastway route.

“Every day we see amazing work done to tackle antisocial behaviour by our Rail Enforcement Officers, Safety team, Education team and the British Transport Police.

“What we are trying to do is create an environment where our colleagues can go to work safely, and our customers can travel in safety as well.”

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust athlete mentor Sarah Ayton said: “As an athlete, I’m sharing some of the skills I’ve learnt with these young people to help them get out of really tough situations. It’s about giving them that one-to-one help, really listening, to understand their needs and putting a plan in place.

“It is about equipping the young people with the skills they need to go on and thrive and live to their true potential – the skills they need to work on. We’ve been really successful at Lancing, where two of the young people have gone back into mainstream school.”

Doug Thomas, Executive Head at West Sussex APC said: “We deliver a nurturing community that strives to ensure our young people can re-engage, re-focus and re-integrate. We're committed to guiding students with empathy, skill and professionalism so they can make informed and positive decisions for themselves, the school community and society.

“Dame Kelly Holmes mentoring programme fits perfectly with our mantra by giving our young people the confidence, self-esteem, knowledge and skills to choose the right track – serving as a great example of what can be achieved with the right approach."

Councillor Duncan Crow, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, said: “Reducing crime and antisocial behaviour is a priority for the county council and our partners. As well as robust enforcement to keep our communities safe, it is equally important that we use innovative methods to engage and divert young people from becoming involved crime and antisocial behaviour, so it does not happen in the first place.

“I am delighted to hear about how the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust’s athlete-mentors inspire and create new positive opportunities for students at the Alternative Provision Colleges. Working in partnership with Govia Thameslink Railway has enabled this great project and we look forward to collaborating in the future to undertake more work together.”

ENDS