LSSP secure funding from the UEFA Foundation for Children
by Educate Magazine December 3, 2020 · Education News
LSSP (Liverpool School Sports Partnership) has been approved for funding from the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Foundation for Children.
On World Children’s Day 2020, the UEFA Foundation for Children approved 55 new projects across the world. One of these successful projects was submitted by LSSP – just one of two organisations to receive funding in the UK.
‘Finding My Potential’ aims to develop employability and leadership skills in young people across Liverpool.
The project will provide equality of opportunity regardless of circumstances for targeted children and young people to be educated, trained and prepared for a successful adulthood.
Finding My Potential will increase confidence and self-efficacy of 160 young people aged 14 years plus, and develop employability and leadership skills by providing them with accredited qualifications, which will enable them to coach and lead sport and physical activity sessions in the local community.
The 160 young people will be from 16 different secondary schools in Liverpool. They will have access to National Governing Body of Sport courses and Youth Sport Trust Active in Mind training.
In turn, the programme will increase and widen opportunities for 500 young people aged 8-12 years. They will become more active and improve their health and wellbeing, by increasing the number of physical activity sessions delivered by the above trained sports role models.
The UEFA Foundation for Children was established on the initiative of the former UEFA President, Michel Platini, reflecting UEFA’s desire to play a more active role in society.
For many years, the governing body of European football has been supporting initiatives and programmes that help children in difficult circumstances, working with numerous different partners to develop projects across Europe and beyond.
James McGinn, partnership manager at LSSP, said: “I saw this brilliant funding opportunity online over summer, during the first lockdown. I put my ideas onto paper and submitted it to the UEFA Foundation for Children.
“When I received confirmation that LSSP was successful I was absolutely over the moon! Finding My Potential will be a fantastic opportunity for the young people in Liverpool. Not only will they receive the relevant training and they will also obtain the right qualifications to pursue a career in sports and health and fitness.”
The Finding My Potential programmed is set to be rolled out from January 2021.
