Picture the scene. You’re 15 years old. Home life is tough, mum is struggling and dad isn’t around. You hate school and you’re always in trouble.
This is reality for many children who end up in Pupil Referral Units (PRUs). And some of those children, without the proper support and direction will (through no fault of their own) go on to a life of crime.
But we know that sport is an immensely powerful tool – not just the physical benefits, but the mental benefits too.
Thanks to funding from the PCC, Active Luton’s Community team have been attending PRUs in Luton. Children are hand-selected and have the opportunity to engage insport…via virtual reality headsets. The advantage of VR is that sessions can be run in a small space, kids can try a sport they might never have had access to e.g. golf, boxing etc. and importantly, the kids love it because of the ‘gamification’ aspect.
After their physical activity session, we then weave in life skills sessions, often linked to their sport e.g. the importance of teamwork, respecting authority, even writing CVs and interview techniques.
One of our pupils, who we will call Nadia, had completely disengaged from school, was in a PRU and was in danger of being permanently excluded. Nadia came to our sessions and after some time, started to enjoy VR football skills. We wanted to show Nadia that there was hope and that she was worthy of employment and earning money. So we helped her write a CV and gave her interview practice. We then invited her to apply to be a volunteer at one of our HAF (Holiday Activity and Food)camps. Initially she struggled, feeling uncomfortable and awkward. But with encouragement from the team around her, she started to join in the football sessions with the kids. By the end of the summer holidays, Nadi was involved in coaching and loved it. We put Nadia in touch with Beds FA and she has now enrolled to undertake a formal coaching qualification. She is also being PAID to coach local matches.
The outcome? Nadia has hope. She has renewed self-esteem. She is earning a small income and will gain a qualification doing something she has become passionate about.
Although the funding is coming to an end, we sincerely hope that more will become available, so that we can help other kids like Nadia find hope, not crime.