Through sport we aim to enhance the well-being of children from deprived backgrounds and reduce loneliness.
by Sporting Influence CIC in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
The initial fund-raising will provide places at the sports childcare camps, where children and young people will be able to engage and socialise together during the school holidays. The additional money raised will be used to subsidise travel costs associated with getting young people to the venue. Moreover, extra money will be used to provide food and drinks for those who may not have the funds.
The Together Project
The SI foundation is a Community Interest Company that uses sport and exercise to tackle social inequalities. The aim of The Together Project is to increase participation rates in sport of children and young people who have experienced deprivation or hardship. The SI foundation takes responsibility to make positive steps forward in supporting young people through working on their social skills, to:
“Our mission is to ensure that children and young people have the best opportunity to access all the peripheral benefits that Physical Education and sport have to offer, whether that be physical, social, emotional our environmental".
(David Moss, Director)
The Together Project long term agenda is to help the most at risk students and young people to develop holistically throughout childhood. Students will be identified by the school and supported in recognising and overcoming barriers that lead to isolation and loneliness.
Young people during school holidays will be provided with a safe, fun and professional environment to flourish and lead a fruitful life. Aided by our members, qualified teachers and experienced staff, young people will be supported and each pound donated will help provide opportunities for young people.
Why does this matter?
Statistics from Government have shown that 15.9% of children in North Yorkshire are eligible for free school meals. With a national Primary School size average of 278 pupils, that would equate to approx. 44 pupils per school. Free school meals can be seen as an indicator of pupil premium need and highlights that there are areas of deprivation within the community. To support young people when they are not at school, the SI Foundation aims to provide opportunities out of curriculum time at childcare sports camps during the school holidays
Nationally in 2020, one in six (16%) children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable mental disorder, up from one in nine (10.8%) in 2017. According to the NHS, Yorkshire and the Humber is the third highest county with children with probable mental health disorder at 17%. Many schools have shown an interest in using sport as a vehicle to help tackle mental health and promote wellbeing. We will aim to target schools within the community from deprived areas. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows a greater risk of developing a mental health problem in childhood and adolescence amongst those who live in social housing, have a parent with a mental health problem, or whose families are on benefits. Through the strong links already created with head teachers, pupils will be identified and offered opportunities to take part in The Together Project that aims to reduce loneliness and to improve well-being through sport.
How can you help?
To kick start the support, and change lives for these young children we aim to raise an initial target of £1500, which will in turn provide many places at the childcare sports camp. Using the +Extra we aim to have a proportion of this matched by Sport England, again increasing opportunities and changing lives of young people.
A typical day at camp runs similar to that of a school day, children will be given an age appropriate group of which they will stay with for the day, they will be able to chose 5 activities, ranging from swimming and tennis to football and dodgeball. Throughout the day children will work on their social skills and at the end of the day there will be a presentation of social skills wristbands.
If you are passionate about sport and the well-being of young people, please make a donation. And if you are from Harrogate and the surrounding areas and want to see a change in your community, please consider making a pledge. We also know that publicity is crucial for this campaign, so please spread the word on social media.
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The impact
Parents of children that have attended the sporting childcare camps previously have highlighted the impact that the camps have had on their children, parents said…
“I'd like to commend the staff on their communication, welcome and enthusiasm. In the current trying times SI was the perfect solution for reintegration and rebuilding of confidence, thank you”.
“During what has been an undoubtedly stressful time, the guys at Sporting Influence have been wonderful in providing an outlet for my daughter to blow off some steam and reconnect with other children. I always knew she was safe and I am very grateful”.
“With my health conditions, I can't even tell you how important Sporting Influence is to us. I'm not sure how I would manage through the longer holidays without it. It allows me rest and I am grateful. It most importantly gives the boys a safe, happy place to use their energy doing things they love, meeting other children and all the fantastic teachers”.
“Sporting influence is the best activity camp we have found for our daughter. We feel reassured that she's in safe hands and she's loving every minute”.
“The club is fab I have a sporty and not so sporty child, and both love coming and enjoy their time”.
“Keep up the good work it's been fantastic this summer, giving the children some sports, social interaction and a gentle return to routine after an unusual school term thanks for all you do”.
What’s in it for you?
If the this project a successful, it will make a real and lasting difference to the lives and children in and around Harrogate. Your support will ensure that we can start changing lives and creating better futures.
In return for your contribution there are various rewards which you can see in the panel on the right.
If you feel that you would rather the full amount of the pledge went towards our programme feel free to send an email to [email protected] to opt out of the reward.
Terms and conditions apply. To see our tangible rewards please click here.
This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.