MARCH 2007
Disadvantaged people in Sheffield are being helped to overcome barriers in social exclusion and given a sense of belonging with team sports and active recreation at St Wilfrid’s Centre.
The centre’s personal development programme has been attracting increasing numbers of people to take part in structured activities and interest groups, geared towards the development of new skills and the rediscovering of old ones.
With over 80 people attending per day, some of whom are recovering from mental health problems or have learning difficulties, the centre runs sport activities including cricket, football, rounders, snooker and more. The activities run all year round, with competitions and cups in the summer. Other activities include educational classes such as woodwork, literacy, cookery and computer skills.
The centre’s invaluable work has attracted support from its close neighbours, Sheffield Utd Football Club, which regularly donates time and money; Neil Warnock visits the centre with his players for events and lunches.
Kevin Bradley of St Wilfrids says: “The centre has gone from strength to strength recently and the encouragement we have received from everyone has been fantastic. Sheffield United has been especially supportive and it’s great that players can take time out to give something back to their community.
“Football appeals to everyone, whether you’re a millionaire or a homeless person, it brings people together with a common interest and for some of our clients who are so depressed or lonely that there is nothing else to talk about, they can always talk about football.”
St Wilfrid’s Centre was set up in 1991 by the Roman Catholic Priest and Parish of Mother of God St Wilfrid’s Church in Sheffield. Christian values are central to its work to help marginalised people in the city.
Last week, the centre presented the work that it does at a landmark conference at the Megacentre in Sheffield, which brought together people from sports organisations with faith groups from across the region. These included the Hamara Health Living Centre in Beeston, Leeds, the SITARA project in Batley and the St Michael’s Youth Project in Hull, as well as Yorkshire’s four County Sports Partnerships, and sports development representatives from many local councils in Yorkshire and Humber. The aim of the conference, organised by Sport England, the Churches Regional Commission for Yorkshire and Humber and the Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum, was to establish how sports bodies and faith groups can work better together, to give more people in faith communities the opportunity to take part in sport.
Alistair Copeland, interim regional director of Sport England Yorkshire says: “We believe sport is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and should be enjoyed by everyone. We want to learn from schemes like St Wilfrids, which encourage and promote sport in communities that otherwise might not get exposure to active recreation. Many people belong to a faith, or a sports club supported by a faith group. By working with faith organisations like the Churches Regional Commission and the Regional Faiths Forum, we hope to be able to give more people the chance to get involved in sport, be it playing or volunteering. St Wilfid’s is an example of how sport really does change lives.”
For more information on Sport England please visit www.sportengland.org
- ENDS -
For further information or contact details of the school and rowing club please contact Robson Brown:
Dan Stewart/Lyndsay Cantu
Robson Brown
Tel: 0191 244 6655 Tel: 0191 244 6646
dans@robson-brown.co.uk / lyndsayc@robsonbrown.co.uk |
|
|
|
|
