Huddersfield Town Foundation has successfully secured funding from the PFA and the Premier League to deliver a project that will support young people in Kirklees transition from being in the care system to independent living.
The Professional Footballers' Association and The Premier League Charitable Fund have jointly awarded £155,000, with a further £49,000 being contributed by Kirklees Council. The project aims to help care leavers transitioning into independent living and become ‘work ready’, developing life skills while supporting them with volunteering opportunities and engaging in physical activity. It also seeks to provide work placement opportunities to those that have previously been in the care system and progressed on to university.
By working with Kirklees Council, the Town Foundation recognises that nationally, Children in Care (CIC) and Care Leavers (CL) face a disproportionate number of challenges in their life. Three times a year the Town Foundation will run a 12-week employability and life skills course, covering topics like Money Management, Healthy Eating and CV writing. All CIC and CL’s will be encouraged and supported to take part in physical activity and volunteering. Another element of the course is to help provide the CIC and CL’s with the chance to experience work placements with established local businesses.
This programme aims to provide a range of positive experiences that will raise aspirations and enhance resilience and upon completion of the programme, participants will be invited to attend a celebration evening to reflect on their achievements.
John Hudson, PFA Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, said of the news: “On behalf of the PFA, I am proud of the outstanding contributions made by the Huddersfield Town Foundation in partnership with Kirklees Council and the Business Community to effect positive change to the lives of young people by helping them to transition through the challenges that they will face in the future. I’m sure the dedication of all involved will ensure the initiative will be a great success."
