Pedro - N London 2011

Latest

Lead Behaviour Specialist - Scotland

SOHK Scotland is looking for a Lead Behaviour Specialist to join our team for the new school year.
Director Of SOHK Cymru

This is a fantastic opportunity to join the Senior Leadership team at SOHK, as Director of Programmes for Wales!
Freelance Staff - Portsmouth - September 2022

SOHK are looking for a new team to kick off our work in the Portsmouth area from September 2022!
SOHK Cymru’s exciting new partnership wIth The Prince’s Trust Cymru

SOHK Cymru’s exciting new partnership wIth The Prince’s Trust Cymru The past 10 years have seen School of Hard Knocks work with a number of different delivery partners to successfully reach and support more adults and young people across our UK bases. This year we are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Prince’s Trust Cymru, who are working with 16-25 year olds through their Explore programme.

Ayesha's Story

"Friday has become my favourite day at school because it is an SOHK day." Ayesha was on the brink of exclusion from school before SOHK stepped in. She used to hate sport but SOHK have helped her to realise she can feel confident exercising and even enjoy it. Read her story in her own words here.
Thomas' Story

“Can you stay until I leave school in S6?”. Thomas' relationship with his SOHK mentors was not always so good. Before SOHK, he was struggling at school and was often disruptive, but learning rugby helped Thomas flourish and improve his behaviour and wellbeing.
Joaquim's Story

“When this 6”5 man broke down in floods of tears in a park on an SOHK course, it was clear that the tipping-point had finally been reached.” Read about Joaquim's transformation from hardship and homelessness to employment and security.
Josie's Interview

Read about Josie's experience volunteering with SOHK Wales at Maesteg School and how it has helped her navigate the next few steps on her career path.
Shaun's Story

Shaun was doubtful of his own abilities and uncertain about what SOHK would bring. He felt helpless and was uncomfortable sharing his problems. The adults programme has since been transformative in his life. Through rugby, he has overcome his previous injuries and lack of confidence to gain friendships and a fresh perspective. Read on to hear his inspirational story.
Lisa's 'Back in the Game' Story

Lisa is one of the many people who has felt the effects of Covid-19 and the jobs crisis. Every opportunity she thought would be a new start seemed to lead to disappointment. Take a look at how SOHK's Back in the Game course helped her move forward.
Joe's Story

Joe signed up to School of Hard Knocks’ Adult Course through a volunteering programme; he was both excited and anxious on his first day. Having become accustomed to a fairly isolated lifestyle, he found being in groups uncomfortable. Despite these initial concerns he felt welcome, valued and understood by the people around him. He found that he shared experiences with many other participants and could be himself without judgement. For the first time he felt like he was part of a team.
Jamie's Story

Jamie started on School of Hard Knocks’ Schools Programme just over a year ago. His behaviour had become unmanageable at school and he constantly found himself in trouble. Since starting the programme Jamie’s behaviour and way of thinking has changed dramatically. Jamie’s teachers not only find him much easier to handle, but have noticed that he contributes positively in lessons, asks insightful questions and has more respect for others.
Macy's Story

When School of Hard Knocks started working with Macy on the Schools Programme, she was getting involved in fights on a regular basis. Not knowing how to handle her behaviour, Macy's school recommended she get involved with SOHK. Each week the team found a new way to engage Macy more and more with the rugby sessions so as to help her improve her confidence both on and off the pitch. Macy now mentors other students, trains with Quins Girls Rugby and dreams of playing internationally for Wales.
Jo and Angela's Story

When we met Jo just under eleven months ago, her attendance at school was well below average. She had started to find it increasingly difficult to control her emotions, which in turn caused her relationships with peers and teachers to suffer. Eleven months since starting on SOHK's Schools Programme and Jo now feels much happier, more confident and secure in herself.

Our story

The School of Hard Knocks journey so far.....
SOHK for Schools

SOHK for Schools began in 2015. We now work with over 700 children every single week of the school year, across London, Cardiff and Scotland.
Adult Courses

School of Hard Knocks began with delivery to unemployed adults, and it remains the core of our work today. We are passionate about achieving our mission of empowering people to fully realise their potential and we deliver life-changing eight-week programmes to adults in challenging circumstances.
Friends of SOHK

Become a Friend of SOHK and help change lives for the better. We empower vulnerable adults and children so they can create a positive future, but we need your support. Please donate just £3 per month and help us change the game.
Ken Cowen - CEO
Catryn Newton - Programmes Director, Cymru
Rosa Innes - Programmes Director, Scotland
Impact and statistics
Nathan Persaud - Programmes Director, England
Policies and reports

Policies and reports