TWO top athletes have joined an initiative to inspire young people to achieve their goals.

Former Olympic swimmer, James Kirton, and Commonwealth Games badminton player, Jenny Wallwork, will be mentors at Sanctuary Supported Living’s Victoria Road, Norton Road and St James House in Stockton and Hartlepool.

The athletes are part of the Get on Track initiative run in partnership between Sanctuary Supported Living and the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

During a sixth-month programme, the scheme aims to motivate young adults to pursue their ambitions and improve their confidence, resilience and self-esteem.

Participants will be involved in a series of sessions where they will learn work-related skills, use activities to promote teamwork and gain qualifications such as First Aid.

David Shaw, Sanctuary Supported Living’s Head of Service (North), said: “Get on Track is a fantastic initiative and we are proud to be working with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to deliver it to our residents.

“We are committed to supporting young adults to reach their potential and become independent and this programme is an integral part of that.”

James and Jenny will share their own experiences in achieving their sporting goals.

With a dream of swimming at the Olympics, James overcame a series of injuries and finally represented Great Britain at Beijing in 2008.

He now spends time working to highlight the positive impact the sport can have and is a mentor at the City of Sheffield Swimming Club.

Similarly, Jenny pursued a career in international badminton and enjoyed success in mixed doubles events.

She went on to found her own charity, the Jenny Wallwork Foundation, which offers support and guidance to people suffering from a variety of mental health issues.

The Get on Track programme is being funded through £60,000 from Sanctuary Group’s community investment fund.

Ben Hilton, CEO of Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, added: “We have seen first-hand the success of Get on Track and we are really pleased to be working in partnership with Sanctuary Supported Living in Brighton.

“Our world class athlete mentors can help young people overcome multiple barriers to participation and I am looking forward to seeing how this partnership can transform the lives of young people over the weeks and months ahead.”