Salwa - S London 2014

Latest

Evidence & Impact Manager

Having spent the last 6 months reflecting on and resetting our mission and core outcomes, this is a really exciting time in SOHK’s impact journey. We are looking for someone to join us in what is a brand-new role to lead the development of this impact management approach and roll out of the new outcomes framework across England, Scotland and Wales.
Freelance Rugby Coach - London

SOHK England are looking to appoint a freelance rugby coach for the 2024/25 school year. Based in London, the SOHK's Rugby Coach will share responsibility for frontline schools delivery in England.
Freelance Rugby Coach - Wales

SOHK Wales are looking to appoint a freelance rugby coach for the 2024/25 school year. Based in the Cardiff area, the SOHK’s Schools Rugby COach will share responsibility for frontline schools delivery in Wales.
Trying Together Challenge

The Trying Together Challenge is a 3 hour game of continuous touch rugby - with rolling subs of course! This event is designed to engage students, foster community spirit, and raise funds so that School of Hard Knocks’ can run its Schools Programme in more deprived areas. Read on to find out why this event is a perfect fit for your school.

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.
Jorge'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 Jorge'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.
Lisa's Story

When Lisa started on School of Hard Knocks’ Adult Course, she felt as though she wasn’t doing anything with her life. She spent her days alone inside her house and had few people to talk to which impacted negatively on her mental health and caused her to develop poor self-esteem. Just under a year later and Lisa has completely transformed. She has gone back to playing rugby and has continued to meet up with her SOHK course-mate.

About Us

School of Hard Knocks' mission is to empower individuals to fully realise their potential. We exist to empower and support individuals facing inequality.
SOHK Schools Programme

The SOHK Schools Programme consists of 2-3 hours of a unique combination of rugby-based sessions, specialist mentoring and indoor group discussion. Combined with the stability and consistency of the relationships that our staff build with the young people, SOHK enables participants to make positive changes to their behaviours, attitudes and mindset and gives them the ability to recognise their personal growth. We focus change on The 5Cs: Confidence, Control, Commitment, Communication & Cohesion
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.
Become a regular giver

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
Our History

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) was set up by Ken Cowen in 2009 and established as a not-for-profit organisation in 2012. Initially set up to help individuals find and sustain employment, SOHK has developed significantly over the years in order toadapt to society's ever-changing landscape.
Damian James - Programmes Director, Cymru
Rosa Innes - Programmes Director, Scotland
Policies and reports

Policies and reports
Impact and statistics