The Kent Community Programme has won the 2009 BBC Power of Sport Award, supported by Sport England, for the South East.

The programme, which has brought new sporting opportunities to young people living in disadvantaged communities in Folkestone, is delivered by Kent Safe Schools (an organisation which is part of Kent County Council). It has been using sport to improve the lives of 16-19 year olds by giving them the practical and life skills needed to help them get a better education or find a job.

The project worked with six young people who were not in education, employment or training and living in the most disadvantaged areas in East Folkestone (Folkestone East, Folkestone Foord, Folkestone Harbour and Folkestone Harvey Central). The challenges facing those youngsters included being young parents, drug use, low confidence and lack of motivation. Organisers used less-mainstream sports such as skiing, canoeing, basketball, climbing and scuba diving to help engage with them during an eight week course. Some of the positive skills they learnt included delivering sports sessions, first aid and interview skills.

The course days were separated into three parts. Two days per week focussed on the ‘Taking Part in Sport Qualification’ delivered by Pace Development Ltd (an approved National Open College Network centre). These sports-related days included both practical and written work. The participants took part in two practical sessions (delivered by qualified coaches) in each of the five sports which were selected by the young people themselves and part funded through Sport England’s Sport Unlimited programme. The third day each week concentrated on life skills, and the fourth day on basic skills.

As part of the ‘Taking Part in Sport Qualification’ the young people were given the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills into practice within the community. They delivered football and basketball sessions which enabled them to use and improve their teamwork, confidence and communication skills.

All of the young people on the programme improved their skills through the sessions. Two of the youngsters started college in September 2009 - one taking A levels and the other studying for a sports qualification so that he can further his career in basketball coaching.

Tai Read, a 16 year old from the area, is one of the young people who has benefited from the programme. When Tai joined the programme, he had been excluded from school without completing his GCSEs and had regular appointments with the Youth Offending Service. In the beginning, Tai refused to take part in the sessions. Over time however he became more and more engaged so much so that he has not been in any trouble since joining. He has now started studying at Ashford College.

The programme ran in June and July 2009 and was the first time that the project had been delivered using sport. The programme has now been evaluated and another course is planned for January or February 2010.

To find out more about the Kent Community Programme, go to Kent County Council’s website