Five of our Steps into Employment students had the incredible opportunity to work at the Wimbledon Championships this year. They were offered paid roles thanks to Work at Wimbledon, an initiative run by the Wimbledon Foundation that offers supported pathways into employment for people facing barriers to getting jobs.
Our students’ Wimbledon journey began well before the tournament. We arranged interview training and they took part in training days with the Wimbledon Foundation to help prepare for the roles on offer.
All that preparation paid off. Anna and Joe joined the Guest Services Team, where they welcomed visitors at the gates, scanning tickets and helping set the tone for a great guest experience. Joe alone scanned an impressive 1,208 tickets in a single day!
Anna-Marie encountered a challenge: some guests found it difficult to hear her over the crowd. But with the help of her employment tutor and her team at Wimbledon, she introduced communication cards, a simple but powerful adjustment that boosted her confidence and helped her connect more easily with visitors.
Reflecting on her experience, Anna-Marie said, ‘My manager was Graham. He made me happy. I went to Graham for help. My colleagues helped me with what to say to visitors, like, "Hello, I need your ID and tickets ready please. Thank you!” And the scanner went beep!’
Shammah took on a role as a retail assistant in one of the shops. Although he was nervous at first, he quickly settled in, telling us, ‘I had a fun time at Wimbledon. Lovely people there. I hope to do it next year’.
He was especially appreciative of the support he received from colleagues, ‘They took time to know me. They’re really nice...they were supportive. They helped me learn how to do things. Some people didn’t like it when I said they couldn’t bring drinks in the shop, but I had people next to me helping me [explain] why I was saying that.’
One of Shammah’s key takeaways?
‘I learned how to work in a busy environment. It gets busy in the shop so easy.’
This experience has been a fantastic step forward for our students, giving them the chance to build skills, grow in confidence, and show what’s possible with the right preparation and support. We’re incredibly proud of them, and we look forward to seeing where their employment journeys take them next.
We’ve launched a new weekly wellbeing session for our students called Mindful Moments — a space designed to support emotional health through mindfulness, meditation, and sensory activities. The sessions create a calm, welcoming environment where our students can explore tools for managing stress and building emotional resilience.
Held in our immersive 4D learning space, the sessions make full use of the room’s wraparound video and sound technology. Students are surrounded by soothing nature scenes and calming audio, with soft blankets and pillows available to help everyone feel safe and comfortable. Each session begins with a gentle check-in, giving students the option to share how they’re feeling.
The sessions draw inspiration from Metta meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation, which encourages participants to silently repeat phrases of goodwill and compassion for themselves and others. It’s a simple yet powerful practice that helps nurture self-awareness, empathy, and a sense of emotional connection.
What makes Mindful Moments especially meaningful is that it’s co-created with our students. Early on, they expressed an interest in using sound to help with relaxation, leading to special sessions with Sound Gong practitioners. This collaborative approach ensures the sessions are truly relevant and empowering for everyone involved.
Facilitator of the programme Holly Hudson commented, 'Overall, the Mindful Moments project is providing meaningful and impactful support for students, encouraging emotional expression, relaxation, and a stronger connection to their own wellbeing.' Holly and other tutors and facilitators have noticed the effect of this across all our projects. Holly noted that, 'Staff members and I have witnessed students reminding themselves to breathe throughout the day when they feel dysregulated. This is a lifelong skill that will continue to support them well beyond the classroom. I am incredibly proud of their growth, resilience, and commitment to their own wellbeing.'
One standout moment came from Charlotte, one of our student health and wellbeing ambassadors. After regularly attending the sessions and feeling the benefits, she volunteered to lead part of one herself. Charlotte chose a familiar guided breathing video, positioned herself at the front of the room, and led a calming 15-minute session using body movements to demonstrate each breath. Her leadership created a peaceful atmosphere, and many students joined in with ease.
Afterwards, she told staff, 'I would love to do this again. I want to lead more health and wellbeing activities for my friends. I feel so calm now!'
Student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and interest is growing. With support from the group, our next focus will be exploring calming scents as part of the sensory experience.
Mindful Moments is proving to be more than just a weekly session; it’s a valuable and evolving wellbeing tool, empowering students to connect, reflect, and care for themselves in ways that can last a lifetime.
Students from our Art, Textiles, and Health and Wellbeing programmes have taken part in the Giant Dolls’ House Project — a social arts initiative encouraging people to reflect on their home and environment by making a dolls’ house in a shoebox. Along with 200 people across Wandsworth, 18 Share students had their work featured in the Voices of Wandsworth installation at the Battersea Arts Centre, part of the London Festival of Architecture.
Each shoebox-sized space represents a unique perspective and experience. Linking the boxes with ropes and ladders turns these stories into a tapestry that symbolises community connections.
Led by architect Catja de Haas, the project aims to raise awareness of homelessness and the experience of refugees, and remind us of the importance of a home and community for all.
We first took part in the Giant Dolls' House Project after lockdown, a time when connections and home were especially meaningful. So we were delighted to reconnect with the project and be part of this thought-provoking installation.
We'd like to say a massive congratulations to Share student, Georgia, who completed the TCS London Marathon MyWay in April, finishing with an impressive time of four hours and 40 minutes.
Georgia chose to run in support of Share, raising an incredible £2,521 for our charity! This will make a real difference to the work we do at Share and we're deeply moved by her commitment and generosity.
Running a marathon is no small feat. It takes great strength, a huge amount of dedication, and countless hours of training. Georgia committed wholeheartedly, training weekly with running buddies from her club, Wimbledon Windmilers, and putting in extra miles in her own time.
Reflecting on the marathon, Georgia told us, 'It was a really good day and I really enjoyed the run'. She shared her race-day strategy, explaining how she kept a steady running pace throughout and finished strong with a sprint. Georgia said she felt 'proud and relieved' when she reached the finish line. Thank you Georgia, not only for your generosity to Share but also for inspiring us all through your hard work and determination.
Share has been selected to take part in Culturally Mindful, an innovative professional development programme that brings together global majority creative practitioners, healthcare providers, and grassroots organisations to transform health and wellbeing support in Wandsworth.
Our art facilitator, Mowbray, will attend training sessions and work with an acclaimed artist to co-design culturally competent creative health programmes which we can then deliver to our students.
Funded by the Mayor of London as part of Wandsworth's London Borough of Culture programme, Culturally Minded focuses on developing culturally relevant approaches that make mental health support more accessible and meaningful across Wandsworth's diverse communities.
Eve Bradshaw, Share's Creative Programmes Coordinator commented, 'We at Share Community are absolutely delighted to have been selected to take part in the Culturally Mindful Programme. As a service that aims to empower adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs, we believe this inspiring initiative will bring immense value to our students, enriching their lives through inclusive, culturally responsive and expressive experiences that promote wellbeing, confidence and joy.'
Two Share students were celebrated at the Wandsworth Moves Together Awards ceremony at the Civic Suite in Wandsworth alongside over 200 people from across the borough, including nominees, local councillors, and representatives from key London sporting organisations. Daniel and Jodie were each shortlisted for the 'Sports Person of the Year' award in recognition of their commitment to physical activity and community spirit.
Previously known as the Active Wandsworth Awards, the event reflects the council’s growing focus on movement to boost wellbeing, encourage physical activity and strengthen communities. The Wandsworth Moves Together initiative, in partnership with Enable Leisure and Culture, also aims to make sport and leisure more accessible and affordable for all.
Daniel has made excellent progress in our sports programme. He's always kind and compassionate to other students, supporting them in sessions and offering great instruction. He's also demonstrated strong skills across a range of sports, including basketball, football, hockey and cricket to name a few.
Jodie has been leading weekly dance fitness sessions at Share Clapham Junction, which have become very popular with both students and staff. She also led a dance fitness warm up at our sports day last year, as well as at our Awards Day, showcasing her passion and confidence.
Congratulations Daniel and Jodie on your amazing achievements. Keep up the good work!
We've been working with the Wimbledon Foundation as part of their 'Work at Wimbledon' initiative that offers supported pathways into employment. A group of students on our Steps into Employment programme have been part of a journey that has culminated with six of them securing paid jobs for the championships in 2025.
The group first visited the championships last year to watch a spot of tennis, get to know the site and see what happens during the tournament. They then attended workshops and open days. All 13 students who applied online for various roles were offered interviews. To help them spruce up and look the part we worked with Smart Works, a charity who provide free interview-appropriate clothing to unemployed women. Our group also benefitted from interview practice and preparation with Smart Works and during our regular Steps into Employment sessions.
Student Charlotte told us a bit more about her interview, 'We practised in Steps for it with Alice – practice runs. They asked me why I want the job and I said I like tennis and I'm always on time and reliable. I showed her [the interviewer] my folder with all the Steps work in it, and I took my certificates to show her and the different work placements I've done.'
Charlotte, together with fellow students Michael, Anna-Marie, Chloe, Shammah and Joseph have successfully secured paid jobs for the championships this year, working in retail and guest services, and we're incredibly proud of them!
Charlotte said, 'I’m excited to work in the big, massive shop, working with customers and serving customers around the shop. And they're giving us all our uniform for free and free lunch - what else could we ask for?'
And Michael told us that he's looking forward to, 'Helping people to come into Wimbledon...ticket scanning, helping people in. Maybe helping the royal family in!'
Leading up to the championships, they'll take part in training days and we're also providing training and support to their line managers to help them understand how to best support people with learning disabilities and autism at work.