Sport in Sneinton improving wellbeing
Young people in Sneinton are reaping the rewards of a sports-based initiative aimed at improving physical and mental wellbeing.
The school mentoring project works with at risk teenagers, delivered by 3Pillars Project and funded through the Violence Reduction Partnership.
The sessions run every Wednesday for groups of between 15 and 20 children, with two coaches delivering targeted sports training and a sideline coach/mentor to facilitate conversation, reflection and participation.
Delivered for Sneinton Nottingham Academy students at Wildcats Arena, the weekly 90-minute sessions are a great way of ensuring young people learn key skills to better equip them for everyday life.
The work has been made possible through funding from the Violence Reduction Partnership’s Sports Plus grants, which support community-led initiatives that address the root causes of violence through early intervention and prevention.
The VRP is a Home Office funded initiative dedicated to reducing serious violence across Nottinghamshire by taking a public health approach. The VRP brings together police, local authorities and community organisations to deliver long-term, sustainable solutions.
Gary Godden, Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Chair of the VRP, said: “The work 3Pillars are doing is all about engagement with young people and making sure they have health and proper relationships with the adults around them.
“The activities they are engaged in helps support their physical and mental wellbeing which is really important.
“I got involved and witnessed the most enjoyable session, it’s a really positive project which supports our communities to keep them safer.”
Michael Green, coach and mentor at 3Pillars Project, said: “Having Commissioner Godden down here and seeing that bit of involvement with the kids is massive.
“It’s safe to say they might not mix with other adults that much, but they’ve been able to show him what the sessions look like and it’s been fantastic.
“At the age the kids are at it’s a chance for them to make new friends and realise that there is a place for everybody to have fun here.”