Blackpool FC Community Trust are currently looking for a Head of Education and Head of Sport.
Click on the links below for more information and how to apply.
For more information about Blackpool FC Community Trust visit: http://www.blackpoolfccommunitytrust.co.uk/
An initiative set up between Reading FC Community Trust and The Community Furniture Project in Newbury (CFP Newbury) has provided a platform for disabled people to gain valuable life skills – through football activity and work experience.
CFP Newbury is a project that offers work placements to people with disabilities allowing them to gain voluntary, part time or full time employment with their furniture shop, in turn helping them to build on their confidence and reach their full potential.
Reading FC Community Trust were approached by CFP Newbury to see if they could offer sports sessions that would help build morale within the shop and promote beneficial teamwork and communication skills.
Through EFL Trust’s Every Player Counts project funded by Wembley National Stadium Trust, this was made possible and Reading FC Community Trust’s overall goal of establishing a disability team and entering it into the local league was achieved, whilst also recruiting players from Reading’s SEN school and college networks.
One of the senior workers at the shop, Joe, who had completed an FA Level 1 coaching award, was interested in managing the team.
After getting in touch with Reading FC Community Trust he was provided with a mentor to help develop his management skills, which has in turn helped him guide the disability football team in the Berkshire Oxforshire Buckinghamshire Inclusive (BOBI) League.
The BOBI league provides regular footballing opportunities for children and adults across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire who have physical and learning difficulties.
The CFP Newbury team are now competing in seven-a-side BOBI League festivals that occur once a month, playing in five fixtures during each festival.
Joe commented: “The group has come a long way in a short time with the help of Reading FC Community Trust, the coaching and mentoring we have received has been excellent and the group has responded really well.
‘’The Reading FC Community Trust staff have the knowledge of disability football and the local area and have been able to get us involved with the FA’s Disability League.
‘’We look forward to working with them in the future.”
The partnership between Reading FC Community Trust and CFP Newbury continues to grow moving forwards, with the offering of coaching courses, match tickets, funding support and volunteering/employment opportunities.
Daniel Rook, Disability Manager from Reading FC Community Trust said: “The CFP project for us has been great in terms of getting people with disabilities working and active in football.
‘’To see how the group have come on is fantastic and having a team/project like this will only benefit disability football in Berkshire.
Ashley, part of the CFP Newbury disability football team and below, hard at work at the furniture project
To find out more about Reading FC Community Trust visit – http://community.readingfc.co.uk/
To find out more about Every Player Counts visit – https://www.efltrust.com/projects/every-player-counts/
This summer a group of eight young adults on the National Citizen Service (NCS) with Argyle Community Trust, developed a social action project that will leave a positive and everlasting impact on the older generation of their community.
After embarking on a journey of personal development and team based participation, where comfort zones were stretched and friendships flourished, the team of young people based at Carn Brea in Plymouth cultivated an ambition to create a valuable social action project to help the older generation.
They wanted to show that, as younger people, they still value and respect their elders.
The perception that certain older members of the community are forgotten when placed in care homes was the golden thread that brought them together. This collective vision subsequently brought about the initial stages of ‘The Memory Garden Project’. To generate a safe and vibrant place that would bring comfort and joy to residents. A location where family and friends could visit and re-live all those fond and cherished memories.
The team found a very willing and grateful partner in St Martins Care Home in Camborne. This local care home takes immense pride in their work and does an amazing job caring for its residents. However, a communal area situated in the centre of the building, was in need of some TLC. St Martins looks after patients that have Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and this resonated with the team on a personal level.
The team worked incredibly hard raising money in their planning stage and generated a staggering £613. Their aim was to regenerate the communal area and give something back to an establishment that does so much. Although the money raised enabled the team to provide various practical items, such as storage space, seated arbours and decorative hanging baskets, the most significant donation was their determination and hard work.
Craig Tanner, Team Leader said: “It has been a privilege to watch this group of individuals develop and challenge themselves. The change within the team has been truly inspiring.
”They have worked incredibly hard to make this happen and to see their faces on completion was a proud moment. I wish them the best of luck in their future aspirations and can’t wait to see them graduate in October.”
This hard work has also been recognised in Plymouth by the local community and more specifically the local MP. George Eustice visited St Martins to show his appreciation of the brilliant work undertaken. The team radiated with pride and spoke enthusiastically about the work they had done. This was backed up by glorious praise given to the team regularly by both staff and residents at St Martin.
John Bulley St Martins (Cornwall Care) said: “We are so very grateful that the NCS team came around and regenerated one of our Gardens at St Martins Residential Home. It has been a huge relief, and our residents very much appreciate what they have done for them and our staff.
”It was great to see the residents take in what was happening, we at St Martins from Staff to residents and Visitors were overwhelmed by the work ethos from your young people and staff who came here from raising the money to organising the work and behaving like grown-ups, and being 100% professional at all times.”
The team have now completed their National Citizen Service programme and are now moving on to future endeavours. They have developed as people and obtained valuable life skills to take forward that can be applied not only within future education, but also when they venture into employment.
To find out more about NCS visit: www.ncsefltrust.co.uk
10 NCS graduates from EFL Trust’s network attended the Passchendaele commemoration event.
The event marked 100 years since the World War One ‘Battle of Passchendaele’, which led to an estimated 250,000 British and Commonwealth casualties. Our graduates involved were;
Max Barnett (Grimsby)
Edward Ross (Beverley)
Michael Hoodless (Hull)
Sarah Newsome (Barnsley)
Libby Smith (Doncaster)
Cheyenne Van Den Berg (Sheffield)
Emily Coulter (Huddersfield)
Annie Caddle (Portsmouth)
Marley Callway (Portsmouth)
Aaron Metcalfe (Hartlepool)
They were part of 100 NCS grads that were invited by the DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sport) to attend the UK ceremony of remembrance in Belgium on the 30th and 31st July. The event was attended by over 4,000 people which included members of the Royal Family, Prince Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) and Prime Minister Theresa May.
During the two days of commemoration, our grads took on important roles at the four main events; Menin Gate, Cloth Hall, Passchendaele Memorial Park and Tyne Cot Cemetery.
NCS graduate Edward, had the honour of passing the wreath over to the country’s ambassador, whilst graudates Cheyenne and Sarah had the opportunity of meeting and greeting the Prime Minister and William and Kate.
Max from Grimsby and Libby from Doncaster, had exciting roles escorting descendants and forming a guard of honour for the Royal Family. They also had time in front of the camera and other media duties such as interviews live on BBC News and BBC Radio Sheffield.
Max had his own family connection with the event after finding out that his Great, Great Grandma’s cousin, Earnest Cooper, died in the Battle of Passchendaele.
He said, “It’s been very warming to hear everyone’s story, I have my own story but it doesn’t compare to some of the people I have met.’”
Libby described her experience as unforgettable, “It was just an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience. It was so much better than I expected and I was unaware of how big the event really was, and how essential the role NCS graduates had to support the event.
“In my role over the weekend I was able to meet the royals and speak with the ministry of defence. We had the opportunity of visiting the front line and walking through no man’s land, which was spectacular. It’s something I will never forget.”
This fantastic experience was only available to NCS graduates. They were able to carry skills from their time on NCS and thereafter feel confident about representing their generation at such an important national event.
Michael Lynas, CEO of NCS Trust, said: “100 NCS graduates were honoured to serve our country at the Centenary of Passchendaele events. I am proud of how these young people represented their generation as they met descendants, the Royal Family and the Prime Minister.
“I know that these young NCS graduates will help ensure that the sacrifice of the fallen will be remembered for generations to come.”
To find out more about the National Citizen Service visit: https://www.ncsefltrust.co.uk
The Kinder + Sport Move & Learn project, developed by EFL Trust and Ferrero, has been shortlisted for the ‘Education Initiative Award’ at the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2017.
The activity programme is designed to get children moving by encouraging dynamic play and sports amongst young people and their families, promote nutritional education and build awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and active lifestyle.
As childhood obesity levels continue to rise across Britain, Ferrero recognised a responsibility to take positive action to promote nutritional education and build awareness of the importance of a balanced diet and active lifestyle amongst children.
After forming a partnership with EFL Trust in 2014, the project has expanded to reach over 54,000 children in the UK and continues to grow.
Accrington Stanley are 1 of 24 EFL clubs who run the project through their Community Trust reaching out to schools across the country.
To read more about the FDF Awards 2017 click here.
Wigan Athletic Community Trust are today pleased to release their 2017 Impact Report, highlighting the outstanding work carried out by the charity over the last year. The report also reveals the Community Trust’s new vision and objectives for the next three years.
Working with Wigan Athletic, the Community Trust will work to improve health, enhance life chances and create stronger communities by:
• Increasing participation in sport across all levels of society – particularly those from under-represented groups.
• Encouraging young people and families to lead healthier and more active lifestyles.
• Improving the skills, aspirations and achievements of young people.
• Contributing towards increased community cohesion and improving the quality of life of young people, families and communities.
Over the last year some of the key highlights of work undertaken by the Community Trust have included working with 72 primary schools, 19 secondary schools, an increase in 4,114 young people taking part in P.E lessons and 122 young people receiving mentoring support.
Chairman of Trustees, Philip Williams, said: “It is with great pride that we look back on another year of outstanding results achieved by the Community Trust.
“The fact that we’re able to help so many young people and families each year is a testimony to the hard work and commitment of all of our staff who do such fantastic jobs across the whole borough.
“I would like to take this opportunity to both thank and congratulate Head of Community Tom Flower and all of his team for their continued success, while also introducing our new aims and objectives for the next three years which will only enhance the work and reputation of the charity.”
Thanks to the support of the Big Lottery Fund, the Community Trust were able to work with Wigan based researchers Progress Health Partnerships to develop its new Outcomes Framework and through this process participants, staff, trustees and partners including the Premier League, the PFA, the EFL Trust and Wigan Council were consulted about their views of the work of the Trust and what our shared priorities and outcomes should be over the next three years.
To read the Impact Report please click here: Impact Report
For more information about the work of Wigan Athletic Community Trust, please call 01942 318090 or email [email protected].
EFL Trust Futsal and Education programme scholars, Morgan Pratt and Momodou Touray, are two prime examples of how the course can open the door to life changing pathways and experiences.
After approaching the end of secondary school, both boys were hesitant of what to do next in their lives. Never could they imagine that two years later, they would be playing for their home country in front of thousands of fans.
The boys were chosen to represent Wales at under-18 school boy level and played in international fixtures against England, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“I wish I could relive the experience,” said Morgan. “From not knowing what to do with my life two years ago after finishing school, to then singing the Welsh national anthem away in Scotland in front of over a thousand people was unbelievable.”
Momodou commented: “I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Wales team. The atmosphere whilst coming on against Northern Ireland was phenomenal, it will be a moment I will never forget. It brought me to the realisation that this is only the beginning for me.”
The EFL Trust Futsal and Education programme specialises in offering a platform to young people who love sport but aren’t motivated by the classroom environment, presenting a different way to learn and progress in their careers.
Unlike regular college courses, students are able to combine studying sport, gaining qualifications that will enable progression into university, and play football and futsal with regular coaching to develop their technical, tactical and physical ability.
Morgan added: “I was unsure what to do next when I finished school. Then I came across an opportunity to go on the programme. At first I was worried about leaving my comfort zone and leaving my old school and friends – but it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.”
“I’ve always been interested in learning how the body works with nutrition, in different situations of exercise and activity,” Momodou said, “I’m so glad I chose to join the programme as I now realise it has helped me to understand nutritional information as a footballer and the best food and meals appropriate to contain a healthy diet.”
After representing Wales and going into his second year of the programme, Momodou has since signed a two year scholarship with Newport County AFC’s academy team.
He has already been named five times on the substitute bench for the first team, something that Newport County’s Futsal and Education Programme co-coordinator Dave Lewis is proud of.
He said: “It was fantastic to see Momodou offered a two year scholarship with the academy team and I am immensely proud to have played a part in his development.
“Both individuals [Momodou and Morgan] have showed a fantastic attitude towards their studies and consistently performed to an excellent standard during both futsal and football 11v11 games programmes.
“They both had unforgettable and outstanding experiences during their international fixtures which wouldn’t have been made possible if they weren’t part of the programme.”
The two scholars were also keen to encourage others with an interest in studying and playing sport to sign up to the programme.
“Anyone should consider signing up to the programme as it gives you the opportunity to not only study sport and get good qualifications, but also travel to different cities within the UK and play against experienced players,” Momodou said.
“You should sign up to the programme if you want to get a good education behind you,” added Morgan. “It gives you the tools to go to university and you get the chance to play lots of football and futsal which will definitely improve you as a player as the coaching is second to none.”
To find out more information about the EFL Trust Futsal and Education Programme visit: www.efltrust.com/futsal
Marek Hyde, a participant from Derby County Community Trust’s Active Choices programme has been chosen to represent his country in the upcoming Street Football World Cup.
The tournament takes place in Oslo between the 28th August – 6th September,seeing 64 teams, representing 52 countries, come together to celebrate and highlight the life changing work of the Street Football Partner Network.
Following his involvement in the Active Choices programme, Marek, aged 26, from Spondon will be one of 500 players at the competition, each with their own individual story.
Active Choices is a healthy lifestyle and behavioral change programme which helps people who have struggled with substance misuse issues. It has now helped over 500 people with drug and alcohol problems to turn their lives around, giving them the opportunity to receive one-to-one support and take part in worthwhile activities at a critical point in their recovery.
Marek joined the programme back in April 2016 following a referral from Jericho House, a residential addiction recovery project which works closely with Derby County Community Trust, supporting service users in achieving the highest quality of life and in realising their full potential.
Since joining, Marek has become fitter, more active and has stopped smoking. The support and exit routes have even allowed him to find full time employment and complete a Sports Leadership qualification in partnership with the Street Football Association, which led to the England call-up.
Following the news, Marek said:
“I feel brilliant, it’s such an honor which I thought would never happen to me. It’s something I didn’t think would happen because it’s so unrealistic to think of playing for my country. It’s given me time to reflect on my achievements in recovery.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out there, meeting my teammates and pulling on the shirt to represent England.”
On the involvement of the Derby County Community Trust and the Active Choices programme he said:
“They have been there for guidance and support on my exercise and nutrition. The programme has helped me make new friends, given me the opportunity to play at professional football grounds and gain a sport leader qualification, helping me to further myself.”
Marek’s call-up comes following a long line of successes between the Active Choices programme and the Street Football Association. Over the past three years nine participants have made trips to Scotland, Chile, Portugal and Holland for the tournament.
Adam Rowley from Derby County Community Trust said:
“We are delighted for Marek. The opportunity is a reward for his engagement in the programme and the positive lifestyle changes that he has made. We have no doubts that he will do DCCT, Jericho House and his country proud throughout the tournament in August.’’
To find out more about Derby County Community Trust’s Active Choices programme visit – http://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/programmes/health/active-choices/
Young people who have struggled to find employment have been offered a life changing opportunity to turn their lives around, thanks to their local football club.
Blackpool FC Community Trust are one of many EFL club trusts offering youngsters the chance to gain invaluable work experience on the traineeship programme.
The course, aimed at people aged 16-23, has been made to offer those who are currently not in education, employment or training a stepping stone back into further education.
Trainees on the programme get to spend three days a week based at their local professional football club, whilst shadowing experienced members of club staff and community football coaches.
In just 12-16 weeks, students get free training in employment skills including; CV writing and experience, employment opportunities, interview skills, coaching skills resulting in a FA Level 1 qualification, high quality work experience in business administration, hospitality, grounds maintenance, match day, retail and experience of working in the sport and leisure industry.
Connor Snape, aged 18, is currently on work placement with Blackpool FC and has been helping the Seasiders staff to prepare for pre-season and life in League One.
Connor said, “As a massive Blackpool FC fan, I’m delighted to be receiving my work placement at the club. I’m helping out in the kit-room and making sure everything is ready for when the players return for pre-season training.
“This is my second placement as I was at TEE Time Golf Centre last month working with the grounds staff. Both placements have given me key employment skills which will hopefully get me some full-time work.”
Blackpool FC Community Trust also offer a ‘Kickstart’ programme allowing those who successfully complete the traineeships programme the chance to continue their further learning and employment opportunities.
James Hanson, 17, has just finished the Kickstart course and is now working at Ascent Trampoline Park as a court marshal assisting customers.
James thanked Blackpool FC Community Trust for turning his life around. James said, “At 16 I went into the army and I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t know what to do with my life but I enrolled on to Blackpool FC Community Trust’s Traineeship course and learnt important life skills.
“I progressed on to the Kickstart course. It really gave me the boost I needed in life and the Trust set up interviews with different organisations. I’m now working at Ascent Trampoline Park and I’m really enjoying it. Both courses (Traineeship and Kickstart) have changed my life. Thanks to Colin and Rick for their support.”
Geoff Scott, 23, also used the Kickstart programme to gain full time employment. Following the completion of the course, the Trust set up a number of interviews for all Kickstart students. Geoff impressed local shop Co-op during an interview and was hired by them at the end of May.
Geoff is delighted with how the Kickstart got his life back on track after struggling to find full time work. Geoff said, “I’m so pleased to be working full time at Co-op and it wouldn’t have been possible without Blackpool FC Community Trust.
“They taught me key skills which I’ve taken with me into this new job and I’m really enjoying working at Co-op as I’m a big believer in quality of customer service.”
To find out more information about traineeships visit: https://www.efltrust.com/projects/traineeships/
Rotherham United Community Sports Trust’s (RUCST) ‘Back Into Sport’ project has been shortlisted for a 2017 National Lottery Award.
The project funded by Sport England and launched 12 months ago, reaches out to members of the black and ethnic minority community to encourage them to take up sport and physical activities.
‘Back Into Sport’ has increased levels of physical activity and sport among black and ethnic minority (BME) people at high risk of health-related issues. It has also worked with local schools, mosques and community groups to recruit participants and volunteers to help set up sports lessons and arrange matches.
Over half of Rotherham’s adult population do not take part in physical activity, according to a local authority survey. BME adults also face a number of barriers including hate crime, poor local facilities for sport, language and cultural barriers.
The project runs three netball sessions a week and has supported women from a local school to go on and set up a netball team to play competitive games. It also works with a local mosque to increase sport participation among male congregation.
Winners of the 2017 National Lottery Award will receive a £3,000 prize for their project and star in a BBC One television show.
Zanib Rasool from Back into Sport says: “We’re absolutely delighted to have made it through to the finals of The National Lottery Awards. It’s wonderful for everyone involved in our work that our achievements with National Lottery funding have been recognised. We hope all our supporters will vote for us so we can enjoy national recognition on BBC One later in the year.”
Inclusion officer Trudi Race said: “Rotherham is a town with a beautifully diverse mixture of culture and races. “Many of these people face barriers when it comes to accessing sport, particularly women. This project enables us to work with the participants to build trust and to make sport more accessible. The first year has seen an incredible increase in BME women accessing sport which is a proud achievement.”
To vote please click here: http://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/project/back-sport
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