Standing shoulder to shoulder with young people in Sheffield
We had a fantastic morning on the 28th November at the English Institute of Sport, launching the second year of our schools wellbeing programme in Sheffield, run in partnership with Westfield Health.
Following a successful first year, which saw nearly 200 young people in Sheffield receiving wellbeing mentoring, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and Westfield Health are delighted to embark on the second year of partnership. The two organisations welcomed young people from ten schools across the city to the English Institute of Sport to launch the 2022/23 academic year schools wellbeing programme.
Athletes from left to right:
Kelvin Batey, Paul Broadbent, James Kirton, Jenny Wallwork and Adam Whitehead
At the launch event, students from the ten schools met their athlete mentors for the first time and heard about their inspirational journeys that led to them becoming sporting champions. They also took part in ice breakers and physical activities designed to break down barriers and started to think about the goals and targets they’ll be working towards over the course of the programme. Each activity such as Jenga reach, clockface and the obstacle course had an element of competition about it and each student from every school got thoroughly involved throughout the day.
Dave Capper, CEO Westfield Health said:
“We all know how much of a difference it makes when you have someone in your corner fighting for you, encouraging you and challenging you to be the best you can. It’s transformational. We’re so proud to be a part of this inspirational programme that not only champions wellbeing but harnesses the power of having a personal champion to help young people reach their potential.”
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Westfield Health Chair Steve Purdham and CEO Dave Capper and all the volunteers from Westfield Health for attending and supporting the young people. The students will be working with their athlete mentors over the next six months to develop their confidence, resilience and self-esteem as well as their physical and mental wellbeing.
Highlights from the first year of the programme include:
178 Young People mentored by world class athletes through transformational programmes. Over half of which were girls (51%) and 48% came from ethnically diverse backgrounds
50% of the schools engaged are located in the top 5% most deprived wards in the country and over 80% of the young people taking part in On Track to Achieve live in the 40% most deprived area of the country
Teachers reported students’ confidence in their ability to achieve more than doubled; poor behaviour and attendance also went down
As a result of already being active in the city, through the Youth Endowment Fund, the Trust has brought an additional £50,000 to Sheffield to deliver 1:1 mentoring for young people at risk of criminal activity
Participants on the Young Leaders programme enjoyed an opportunity to meet South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard to discuss his vision for wellbeing in the region; as well as delivering wellbeing activities at Move More’s Olympic Legacy in Action event in June – accessible to upwards of 1,000 people