A community programme which has brought new sporting
opportunities to young people living in disadvantaged communities
in Folkestone has been awarded the 2009 BBC Power of Sport Award,
supported by Sport England.
The Kent Community Programme, delivered by Kent Safe Schools (an
organisation which is part of Kent County Council), 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 BBC Power of Sport award recognises real projects that have
made a difference in the community and the Kent Community Programme
is a leading example of this.
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.
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.
Collecting the BBC Power of Sport Award, Penny Tanner, Kent Safe
Schools Project Officer, said:
“It’s just brilliant to win a Power of Sport Award. It makes me
so proud for the boys who have come such a long way since we
started the project. Some of them have really developed their
confidence. The Kent Community Programme has opened up so many
opportunities for young people to get involved in sports they’ve
never tried before.”
David Holdsworth, Controller BBC English Regions, added: "All of
our Power of Sport award winners are making a real difference
through sport to the lives of people in their communities. Finding
and telling these fantastic stories back to our audiences across
England are at the heart of what the BBC is here to do, so we're
delighted to be part of these awards."
Sport England is supporting the BBC Power of Sport Award. Jennie
Price, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said:
“This award celebrates the power of sport to improve lives and
enrich local communities. The Kent Community Programme proves just
what can be achieved when you have great ideas backed by dedicated
people.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
You can read a full case study for this project on their
case study page
For more information on the BBC Power of Sport Awards, supported
by Sport England, please visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/8296653.stm
The Kent Community Programme
The Kent Community Programme, which is run by Kent Safe Schools,
is linked with Shepway District Council’s Folkestone Forward
project. Folkestone Forward provided funding to support the
programme.
The project is supported by Kent County Council and Pace
Development Ltd
Sport England’s Sport Unlimited programme part-funded the
skiing, canoeing, basketball, climbing and scuba diving
activities
Sport England
Sport England invests National Lottery and Exchequer funding in
organisations and projects that will grow and sustain participation
in grassroots sport and create opportunities for people to excel at
their chosen sport.
Sport England is committed to creating a world-leading community
sport system, and has set specific and measurable targets to
achieve by 2012/13:
- One million people doing more sport
- A 25% reduction in the number of 16- to 18-year-olds who drop
out of at least five key sports
- Improved talent development systems in at least 25 sports
- A measurable increase in people’s satisfaction with their
experience of sport
- A major contribution to the delivery of the five hour sports
offer for children and young people.