This week, we are proud to announce the public launch of the Lost Boys Taskforce, a cross-sector coalition of leaders from football, education, youth work, policy, and business, united by a bold and urgent ambition: to make the UK a country where every young person has access to a trusted adult.

Chaired by our very own Chair of Trustees, Paul Barber OBE, Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, the Taskforce is backing the Trusted Adult Guarantee, a national call for government investment to train 10,000 trusted adults in schools and sport settings.

At FBB, we’ve always believed that young people need to feel safe, seen, and supported. They need trusted relationships with adults who show up consistently, believe in them, and create space for them to thrive. While we could share all the statistics, and they are compelling, nothing speaks more powerfully than the stories from our practitioners themselves.

So we asked Pedro, one of our long-standing FBB practitioners, to share the story of his relationship with Yassin, a former participant. His journey is a living testament to what’s possible when trusted adult relationships are placed at the heart of education.

“We Didn’t Try to Fix Yassin — We Just Showed Up”

By Pedro, Head of School Partnerships (former FBB Practitioner)

When Yassin started secondary school, he was bright, curious, and full of energy. But early into Year 7, he was held at knifepoint and robbed by someone he thought was a friend. That traumatic moment shattered his sense of safety. He began missing school, lashing out, and withdrawing from everyone around him.

Underneath the surface, Yassin was dealing with a lot: fear, betrayal, and a strong reluctance to let anyone in. His absences weren’t just about skipping class; they were about protecting himself from further harm.

His path could have led to permanent exclusion. Instead, it became a story of what’s possible when a young person has someone in their corner.

But throughout this time, FBB remained a steady presence. I didn’t try to “fix” Yassin, I stayed consistent. Even when he pulled away, I kept checking in. No pressure, just presence.

Over time, Yassin re-engaged through creative projects and began to trust again. A turning point came when I encouraged him to mentor younger boys. That moment of responsibility and recognition helped Yassin see his own value. He began showing up differently, not just at school, but in how he saw himself.

Today, Yassin is an FBB graduate mentor, working weekly at The Elmgreen School and supporting the next generation of boys walking the path he once did. He’s completed his electrician qualification and continues to contribute meaningfully across FBB and YBB.

His story shows us what’s possible when young people are met with trust, consistency, and care. It’s not about grand interventions. It’s about one adult showing up, again and again.

That’s the vision behind the Trusted Adult Guarantee and why FBB is proud to be part of the Lost Boys Taskforce.

Why This Matters

There are 630,000 teenagers in England who don’t have a trusted adult outside their family to turn to when life gets hard. That’s not just a number, it’s a generation at risk of exclusion, exploitation, and disconnection.

But we know what works. Trusted relationships change outcomes. At FBB, 97% of young people at risk of exclusion stayed in school last year through our programmes. And now, through the Lost Boys Taskforce, we’re working with national partners to take that impact to scale.

Because Yassin isn’t an exception — he’s proof of what’s possible when young people feel safe enough to grow on their own terms.

Join Us

We’re calling on the government to co-fund the Trusted Adult Guarantee and invest in the 10,000 adults already working in schools, clubs and communities — the ones boys already trust. Let’s build a future where no young person is left to navigate life alone.

Find out more and back the campaign at: lostboystaskforce.com