Archive for category: News

Lockdown has been challenging for Bodhi, aged 9 and his mum Caren. However Bodhi, who has global developmental delay and autism, has been managing the lockdown by taking part in Brentford FC Community Trust’s online Short Breaks activities for children with disabilities.

His mum Caren believes that physical activity for Bodhi is now needed more than ever. She said:

“Bodhi has not had occupational therapy for over a year and this is not the first time we have had such big break sadly. Doing sport activities, which incorporate both gross and fine motor skills, is hugely beneficial. Because of his age, he now wants to do ‘regular’ activities, so sports can mean he is learning without him realising it!”

Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s Short Breaks project, commissioned by Hounslow Council, supports children with a disability with their confidence and development through a range of free sporting activities. Over the past year, the project has engaged with more than 150 children in Hounslow.

Under normal circumstances, these sessions are delivered on a weekly basis in Osterley and during the school holidays.

Yet the government lockdown has meant that Brentford FC Community Sports Trust have had to be creative in how they deliver physical activity for children while at home.

Chris Tribe, The Trust’s Disability Manager, said:

“We’ve had to find new and innovative ways to engage with our participants and encourage them to stay active at home. Since the lockdown began, we created and sent out weekly sports challenge videos for families to try at home, which have proved to be really popular.

Caren adds: “Although we home educate, and have lots of resources, we still found it a bit difficult to establish a routine and ensure a balance between education and fun. It is also difficult for us parents to constantly look after the house and kids – I honestly don’t sit down!”

Back in April, Fulham’s official Club Doctor, Justin Yeoh, signed up as a volunteer to help homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Consultant in Sports & Exercise Medicine (and previous GP), used his medical experience to support vulnerable individuals placed in protective hotel accommodation by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

With all football matches suspended at that time, Fulham supported the community response to COVID-19 by deploying experts like Dr Yeoh and other members of the FFC medical team whose skills are invaluable in difficult times.

Dr Yeoh has been treating rough sleepers who have been put up in hotels across the capital to keep them safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Back in April, Dr Yeoh said: “Fulham and the Fulham FC Foundation have been working with many key local partners and have been keeping in touch with supporters and people from our neighbourhood.

“Whilst football is currently suspended, I’m glad to have been invited to offer my services to Turning Point and work closely with them, St Mungo’s and the local authority to support the tremendous work being carried out with the homeless in the borough.

“The voluntary work I do is very rewarding for both myself and the patients that gives a little bit of help to those in need.”

Dr Mohammed Al-Saidi, Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist at Turning Point, said: “Dr Yeoh’s support on our clinical team is a great opportunity to reach some of the most vulnerable people in society. This is a crucial step for many to get off the streets for good.”

“I’m passionate about further growing as a youth leader and being able to empower other young people to be the start of change.” says Emmanuel Essien, one of three NCS graduates who has been accepted out of hundreds of applications of young people, to join The FA Leadership Academy.

Three EFL Trust NCS graduates have been accepted onto The FA Leadership Academy (FALA) after successfully navigating a competitive application process. Emmanuel Essien from Sheffield, Ellie-Ja Goddard and Josh Newbold, both from Rotherham, were all accepted on the FALA.

The FALA takes young people on a journey through developing themselves, others and their communities. The Academy equips young people with the skills and tools to become youth leaders, concluding with each young person delivering a social action project to positively impact their local communities through football.

Their 12-month journey begins today with a four-day event. The event usually takes place at St George’s Park, but due to COVID-19, will be held virtually. During the event, young people will be introduced to the academy, learn how to become a leader and hear from football icons and other workshops to develop their skills.

Ellie is delighted to have been accepted onto the FALA. She said:

“I have always loved helping people and I am looking forward to FALA as I think it is the perfect platform for me to develop my skills and help people in my community, alongside a sport that I love.”

The opportunity to apply for the FALA was made available to Emmanuel, Ellie and Josh through the EFL Trust’s Regional Youth Board, a Board they are all a part of having done NCS in their local area. As part of the Youth Board they have been involved in supporting local charities such as Hull Homeless Community Projects and food banks across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Emmanuel, who completed his NCS experience with Sheffield Wednesday, believes the FALA is a great step for his development

“I’m looking forward to the FALA programme because I’m passionate about further growing as a youth leader and being able to empower other young people to be the start of change.

“I know the FALA programme is a step up to make a greater impact for the lives of people in the wider football community.”

Following the four-day event, the youth leaders will take part in a 12-month development plan of which they are required to create and implement a project within their local community that aids the growth and development of other young people, youth leaders and football as a whole.

Blackpool FC Community Trust and Preston North End Community and Education Trust have each been awarded a grant from the Youth Endowment Fund to support young people at-risk of being drawn into violent crime through the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the support of a £41,000 grant, Blackpool FC Community Trust will be launching a new online adaption of the Trust’s ‘Tower Above’ crime prevention programme mentoring and education programme, to prevent vulnerable young people being drawn into violent crime. The move online will help the Trust continue its support of vulnerable young people while COVID-19 social distancing measures remain in place.

Jason White, Head of Community Programmes, said:

“Social distancing measures have meant we’ve had to put much of our face-to-face work with young people on-hold and look for alternative ways of supporting them. This funding will help us to strengthen and build our online mentoring and ensure young people can still access our help even if it’s difficult to physically meet.”

Preston North End’s project focuses on ‘Back on Track’, a 12 week initiative at providing weekly physical activity sessions complemented with interactive educational workshops centred around improving young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards criminal activity, lifestyle and careers. The sessions will run over the summer holidays and also into the first term of the new academic year as we help the targeted young people transition back into education.  

Tom Drake, Head of Community said:

“We are delighted that we have been successful in our application to the Youth Endowment Fund. Our new Back on Track programme will help provide some much needed support through both physical activity and educational based workshops for some of the most vulnerable young people in Preston throughout the summer holiday and as they transition back into education. The COVID period has been extremely challenging for young people, we are hoping the Back on Track programme provides some much needed ‘normality’ whilst also educating them on key life skills.”

The Youth Endowment Fund is an independent charitable trust set up by the Home Office. It funds, supports and evaluates projects in England and Wales which work to prevent children and young people from being drawn into violent crime.

Jon Yates, Executive Director at Youth Endowment Fund, said: “It has been too easy to forget vulnerable young people during this crisis. The pandemic has removed much of the critical support that many of them rely upon – from teachers to youth workers. This funding will help us find the best way to reach and support these young people when they most need it.”

During COVID-19, Oxford United in the Community have focused on delivering health, fitness and well-being programmes to support those who have been impacted physically, mentally and financially by the pandemic.

Here are some key highlights:

Homework packs

Oxford United in the Community have been engaging with hundreds of youngsters during lockdown via homework packs. They created a special timetable of homework to support parents who are home schooling their children and to inspire youngsters. More than 500 children took part in the programme. The work was designed to encourage youngsters to think, remain healthy and active.

Daily Challenges

Hundreds of youngsters have taken part in daily challenges and shared their activities via video. The daily challenges were designed to support youngsters during lock down to remain fit and active.

Masks

Members of the Oxford United in the Community team joined the Club in helping to distribute over 10,000 face masks to help fans and key workers. Club Manager Karl Robinson also volunteered to pack and despatch masks which were sent to the NHS, local charities, the city and county councils. Additionally, 2,000 masks were sent by post to season ticket holders aged over 55 and some higher risk supporters.

Horrid Henry

Oxford United in the Community teamed up with animated TV star Horrid Henry to help share home-based activity programmes with thousands of families. The collaboration has seen youngsters receive homework packs via Henry Unlocked, a regular lock down podcast.

2.6 Challenge

More than £1,000 was raised via the 2.6 Challenge to help your charity do more in your community. The 2.6 Challenge saw United fans, youngsters on Oxford United in the Community programmes and some Patrons and Trustees take part.

Chris Lowes, Head of Oxford United in the community said:

“We appreciate many people in our community have been impacted in various ways by COVID-19, physically, mentally and financially. As the Club’s charity we have remained committed to supporting as many people as we can throughout the on-going pandemic.

“It has been challenging but we have managed to readjust and deliver some really positive impact. We have focused on delivering health, fitness and well-being programmes designed to keep people active and promote healthy bodies and minds. We have also directly helped with other COVID-19 related activities within the community, including delivering Oxford United face masks to care homes.

“Football really does help pull the communities together and COVID-19 has reaffirmed that EFL Trust Club Community Organisations have a huge responsibility to make a real difference and there have been so many uplifting stories from across the EFL network.

“Oxford United reaching Wembley has given our community an additional big lift at this challenging time and it is another opportunity for the charity to create further ways to engage with people.”