Key life and employability skills provided to children thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund-backed project
School children in Charnwood will be taught key life and employability skills through physical education, physical activity and sport, thanks to a new project.
Generation Charnwood is being run by Youth Sport Trust and Active Together, and it is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It is one of 10 projects chosen for support by Charnwood Borough Council which has been allocated £4 million from the fund to invest in communities and support local businesses.
The programme, which will receive £540,900 over three years from the fund, will support teachers to equip pupils with the relevant life and employability skills, resilience, and improved wellbeing to help them be ready for the world of work in the future.
Cllr Jennifer Tillotson, the Council’s lead member for economic development, regeneration and town centres, said: “This is a fantastic project which is being backed by the Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which will have long-term benefits for Charnwood.
“It is important that we invest in our future generations and our residents. This project will teach them important life-skills as well as supporting teachers across the borough to deliver it.
“I look forward to seeing this project progress and the impact it will have on the borough.”
Schools will receive free teacher training, and resources to enable staff to support the delivery of the Generation Charnwood programme. They will also be provided with free equipment to run an after-school enrichment club, led by a local, fully trained volunteer.
Several pupils from secondary schools will also be selected to be part of a targeted mentoring programme which will see pupils working with an athlete to mentor them for six weeks to further develop their confidence and resilience.
These pupils will then go on to deliver a social action project within their local community.
The programme works with local employers from the sport and leisure sector to provide short work placements for young people aged 16-24, who are not currently in education, employment or training.
Programme manager for Generation Charnwood, Claire Smith, said: “The Youth Sport Trust passionately believes improving children and young people’s wellbeing is a national priority which is why we’re so pleased to be working in partnership with Active Together to deliver this project in Charnwood, the borough where we’re based.
“We’re excited to be able to give back to our local community and will work tirelessly to ensure young people in Charnwood have the skills, attributes, and opportunities to reach their full potential.
“This programme will allow us to capitalise on the world-class facilities and resources available in Charnwood to be of benefit to the local community.
“I am calling on all primary and secondary schools in the borough to get in touch so we can see how this programme can benefit them and their pupils.”
The outcomes of the project will see an increased level of confidence and resilience amongst pupils on the programme and will give them the opportunity to be involved in community activities.
The programme also aims to allow schools to engage with other schools in Charnwood and the local community.
Generation Charnwood will run until July 2025 and applications are open to schools until July 31, 2024.
To find details about Generation Charnwood, visit: https://www.active-together.org/generationcharnwood.
The projects being backed by Charnwood Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund include creating a MUGA facility at Birstall, expanding sports facilities in Mountsorrel, backing a three-year youth support programme, extending a village hall as well as regenerating Shepshed’s Market Place.
For more information, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/UKSPF
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