Memorandum submitted by the The Prince's
Trust
1. BACKGROUND
The Prince's Trust exists to help young people
to overcome their barriers and get their lives working. Through
practical support including training, mentoring and financial
assistance, it helps 14 to 30 year olds to realise their potential
and transform their lives. The Trust focuses its efforts on young
people who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term
unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.
The Prince's Trust has developed effective partnerships
with football, cricket and rugby to help recruit, retain and motivate
young people on two of our key programmes—Team and xl.
Team enables 16 to 25 year olds, the majority
of whom are unemployed, to improve their employability by developing
key skills such as communication, tolerance and working with others,
to increase their self-esteem and confidence and to earn nationally
recognised qualifications. During the 12-weeks, young people undertake
work placements, complete team projects in their community, enjoy
a residential activity week and get support with basic skills
and planning for their futures. On average, 75% of young people
who were previously unemployed will go on to further training,
education or employment after the course.
xl is a team-based in-school programme for students
aged 14 to 16, who are at risk of underachievement, truanting
or permanent exclusion. xl club activities are designed to improve
students' self-esteem and confidence, leading to increased attendance,
better behaviour and improved chances of completing their schooling.
Described by OFSTED as a "very effective alternative curriculum".
Students meet for at least three hours a week, guided by an xl
club Adviser at 600 schools across the UK.
By working in partnership with sports authorities,
professional clubs, players unions and commercial sponsors, we
are able to access prestigious facilities, staff and famous players,
to the benefit of thousands of socially excluded young people
in the UK.
2. THE PRINCE'S
TRUST FOOTBALL
INITIATIVE
Our largest sports partnership, it was first
piloted in 1997 at eight Premier League clubs, and expanded between
2001-05 with £3.8 million funding from the FA Premier League,
the Football Foundation and the Professional Footballers' Association
to 65 clubs. The scheme has recently received a further £2
million funding from the three partners to run until 2008.
— 9,000 young people will have benefited
by April 2005.
— Of those who were previously unemployed,
more than 75% have gone on to employment, further education or
into training.
— 22% were young ex/offenders and 13%
were young people in or leaving care.
— 17% were from black and ethnic minority
groups.
Premier League, Football League and Conference
division football clubs provide substantial in-kind support to
improve young people's employability, to support skills development
and increase recruitment and retention on the course including:
recruitment events, team bases and "graduation" events
at stadiums; motivational workshops on healthy lifestyles, teamwork
and over coming barriers; interview skills training with HR staff,
work placements and part-time jobs in hospitality and stewarding;
small sided tournaments and skills days at Clubs and training
grounds; Q & A sessions with players; stadium tours and free
match tickets.
3. NATWEST
CRICKET WITH
THE PRINCE'S
TRUST
The programme builds on The Prince's Trust Football
Initiative, working with 12 first class County Cricket Clubs with
the support of the Professional Cricketers' Association and NatWest.
The support given varies from club to club, but includes motivational
talks, player involvement, cricket coaching, talks on healthy
lifestyles, space for a team base in the grounds, and work placements
at the clubs. Approximately 620 young people have benefited from
the partnership to date.
4. RBS 6 NATIONS
WITH THE
PRINCE'S
TRUST
Working with the English, Welsh and Scottish
rugby union governing bodies, RBS 6 Nations with The Prince's
Trust supports students attending xl clubs in six schools near
Twickenham, The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
The partnership provides access to players and educational materials;
as well as coaching from staff on nutrition and healthy lifestyles,
tours around stadiums and museums and tag rugby sessions. 90 young
people will benefit from the partnership by Summer 2005.
5. KEY DELIVERABLES
OF PRINCE'S
TRUST SPORTS
PARTNERSHIPS
5.1 Supporting education
— 90% of individuals on Team gain City
& Guilds Profile of Achievement, xl club students work towards
an ASDAN accreditation.
— Team participants have opportunity
to achieve Key Skill Units in Communication, Working with Others,
Taking Responsibility and get support with basic numeracy and
literacy.
— Sports-based activities are designed
to develop teamwork, communication and citizenship skills.
5.2 Developing self esteem and encouraging
healthier lifestyles
— Activity sessions and skills days
delivered at professional football, cricket and rugby clubs, encouraging
participation amongst hard to reach groups.
— Diet & nutrition and menu planning
sessions delivered by Club Staff.
— Teamwork and motivational workshops
given by Club staff and famous players.
— Individual cash grants of up to £350
available to fund further participation eg purchase of sports
equipment, gym membership fees, FA Level 1 and 2 courses.
— Community Sports Leadership Award
being introduced on football-linked Teams from April 2005.
— 87% of young people asked said Team
had improved their confidence and motivation.
— 84% believed they were more tolerant
and better at working with others as a result of their experiences
and 70% felt "more satisfied with life".
5.3 Developing employability and job pathways
— Football clubs provide access to
Learning Centres, interview skills sessions, careers fairs and
work placements at stadiums (eg hospitality, coaching, grounds
keeping, ticket offices, club shops) and paid employment for young
people after the courses.
— "Get Into Retail" and "Get
Into Catering" industry taster sessions being piloted at
football clubs from April 05, with support from local private/public
sector industry employers.
— Access to stadiums and club staff
fosters awareness of work environment.
— 87% of young people linked to football
clubs believe the Team programme had improved their job prospects.
5.4 Promoting community renewal and volunteering
— Team-based approach brings together
people from diverse backgrounds, helping to tackle anti-social
behaviour, create new social networks and learning environment.
— Financial value of the voluntary
work undertaken by each team is approximately £7,250.
— Supporting the Government's volunteering
strategy through delivery of community projects and equipping
young people with leadership and coaching skills through the Community
Sports Leadership Award.
5.5 Working in partnership
— Sports partnerships supported by
significant private and public sector investment—FA Premier
League, NatWest, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Football Foundation,
Professional Footballers Association.
— We work with 100+ "delivery
partners" to deliver Team and xl including schools, Fire
& Rescue and Police services, other voluntary groups and FE
colleges.
— Evolving work within Government priority
areas including Sports Action Zones.
— Involved in sector developments eg
Barclays Spaces for Sports and participating in Sport England-led
Youth Sport Development Network.
— Improving links with specialist community
outreach organisations eg Muslim Youth Helpline, Asian Football
Forum to support BME uptake.
6. CASE STUDY—PETE,
23
Pete was kicked out of home at 16. He ended
up in a homeless hostel, and became involved in crime and drugs.
During a de-tox programme, Pete was told about a Team running
locally, supported by Southampton FC. During the 12-weeks enjoyed
a tour of the stadium, received signed merchandise for fundraising
and free tickets to a match. Pete had always been a huge Saints
supporter, but this was his first opportunity to see them play.
He completed his work placement working with Saints in the Community
and was delighted to receive his certificate from then Saints'
striker James Beattie. Pete said: "Rather than sitting around
and doing nothing, The Prince's Trust helped me focus on getting
out and getting a job. Being linked to Southampton FC made me
look at how the club works with young people in the community.
I decided that that was what I wanted to do, work with young people."
At the end of the course, he was successful in securing a permanent
job at an activity centre where he has been working for almost
a year, teaching young people outward-bound activities such as
climbing and abseiling.
1 April 2005
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