The social investment arm of The Big Issue is investing £1.25 million into a programme that will support more than 6,000 young people in Waltham Forest and across the UK to improve their lives, through sports and activity.

The Chances Programme is committed to harnessing the power of sport to enhance the life chances of disadvantaged young people aged eight to 17 years for the next three years.

Leyton Orient Trust is a partner organisation of the programme and it is rolling out the scheme in Waltham Forest.

The investment will be used to create new opportunities to empower young people to get active and re-engage with education and skills provision, targeting those who are from low socio-economic backgrounds, have an offending record and/or low school attendance.

The programme has been co-developed by research and technology company Substance in partnership with Life Chances Fund, Sport England and The Big Issue’s social investment arm, Big Issue Invest.

The programme offers sessions on sport and physical activities, martial arts, dance, enterprise and social action projects, photography, emergency aid, residential experiences and expeditions.