Social Impact Updates
A Month of Change and Growth!
February 2024 has brought with it some incredible achievements for the young people supported by The Project PT.
LiFT Youth has provided an opportunity for young people, vulnerable to child criminal exploitation (CCE), to learn new skills, gain two Level 1 qualifications, and for some, complete a 30 hour work experience placement. The current LiFT Youth program has run for 24 weeks and comes to an end this Easter. Many of the young people we work with have already completed one level 1 qualification and are set to complete there 2nd before the program ends.
More than a sport
Not only have young people achieved qualifications, there have also been incredible stories of personal skill development that goes hand-in-hand with our work in the gym. Communication, leadership, mental resilience, emotion management, and team work are all skills that aim to promote an individual's sense of confidence. Through the medium of boxing and weight lifting, young people on the programme have achieved an increase in confidence following fantastic skill development. A short example of how effective personal development is can be found below.
Anita, a young person attending one of The Project PT's intervention programmes, recently gained the confidence to use public transport for the first time.
The above is an example of how working with a young person, to help them build up confidence, self-esteem and resilience, can support them in ways that go beyond the gym. This indiviudal's quality of life has improved as they have more independence and freedom.
Using these skills in the long-run
Research shows that sport is a powerful tool for developing strong relationships and improving individual skillsets (Gough, 2023). The education process is not smooth sailing for all, and because of this, many young people lack the opportunity to gain qualifications or develop their personal skills. Unfortunately, this leads them down a path of uncertainty, exploitation and vulnerability.
The aim of sporting interventions is to re-engage young people back in to society, whether that be back in to school or enrolled on a college course. Research completed by Youth Sport Trust (2023) highlights that "sport is more than just games; they are a platform for change". Young people involved in sporting provisions may see social, physical and mental benefits. All of which will impact their experience of life.
A step into community
The Project PT aim to continue the support of all young people engaging on LiFT Youth, in their weekly boxing sessions. These boxing sessions take place out of Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, every Thursday 5:30pm - 6:30pm.
The Project PT continues to work alongside Oxfordshire's Targetted Youth Support Service to deliver this session, promote the pro-social identities of young people and encourage community safety.
Email Sophie@theprojectpt.com for more information about this program.
