Case Study: Communities First Foundation
Mentorship Partner: Communities First Foundation
Beneficiary Focus: Individuals challenged by low household income, those with settled refugee status and NEET young people
Mentor: Bob Snarey
Overview
Communities First Foundation has been supporting disadvantaged young people for over 20 years, providing mentoring, structured support, and skills-based programmes to help them build positive futures.
The organisation works with young people aged 11–25, particularly care leavers, refugees, asylum seekers, and those at risk of or involved in the criminal justice system. Its programmes focus on early intervention through sports, employability training, music, dance, health and wellbeing, and personal development, helping to reduce social isolation, build confidence, and create pathways into education and employment.
Communities First Foundation operates youth facilities in Croydon and Sutton, providing safe, inclusive spaces where young people can access learning rooms, creative studios, and structured support. Through mentoring, leadership opportunities, and work experience, the organisation helps young people overcome barriers and develop resilience.
Location and Delivery Setting
Communities First Foundation is based in Croydon, South London, where it operates a dedicated youth facility with learning rooms, an e-games room, and a music studio.
The AI Empowerment Hub programme will be delivered in Croydon, engaging young people from underrepresented communities. Croydon has a diverse population and high levels of digital exclusion, particularly among low-income households, making it an appropriate setting for an inclusive AI literacy initiative.
Delivering the programme within a trusted, youth-friendly environment will support engagement, accessibility, and long-term impact.
Recruitment and Outreach
Participants will be recruited through Communities First Foundation’s existing youth programmes, including its Community Café and activities engaging over 150 young people weekly.
Outreach will also include social media, local flyers, WhatsApp community groups, and peer-to-peer referrals. Young leaders will act as ambassadors, supporting outreach and encouraging participation within their networks.
Delivery Partners and Expertise
The programme will be delivered in partnership with We Are UTCAI and Good Future Foundation, organisations specialising in AI education and responsible technology integration.
Their mission is to equip young people with the knowledge and confidence to engage with AI regardless of background.
Daniel Emmerson, Executive Director, brings over 14 years of experience in education leadership and regularly speaks on AI implementation in schools.
The Good Future Foundation’s AI Quality Mark provides a structured framework to support safe, ethical, and effective AI adoption, offering guidance, staff support, and recognised standards for responsible implementation.
Need for the Programme
AI is increasingly shaping employment and public services, yet many marginalised young people lack access to AI education and opportunities.
Communities First Foundation has identified that young people often feel disconnected from technology and lack awareness of AI and related career pathways. This programme will address this gap by building AI literacy, increasing awareness of digital bias, and empowering participants to engage confidently with emerging technologies.
The need has been identified through consultation with young people, community leaders, and previous digital skills programmes.
Previous Experience and Learning
Communities First Foundation has delivered programmes in digital literacy, employability, and creative technology.
Key learning includes the importance of delivering programmes in trusted youth spaces, using relatable entry points such as gaming and music, and providing clear career pathways through employer engagement and role models.
These lessons will inform the delivery of the AI Empowerment Hub, ensuring strong engagement and meaningful outcomes.
Mentorship and Organisational Development
Communities First Foundation is seeking mentorship to strengthen its capacity to lead inclusive AI programmes and build internal expertise.
Mentorship will support the organisation to develop understanding of AI ethics and digital inclusion, improve programme oversight, and build long-term sustainability.
This will enable Communities First Foundation to expand its role as a leader in accessible, community-driven AI education for underrepresented young people.