Community Catch Up: January
Welcome to Sheffield United Community Foundation’s monthly review!
Find out what’s been happening at the Foundation and what we’ve got coming up!
Foundation to Launch £500,000 Disability Sport Project with Firehouse Fitness
Sheffield United Community Foundation, in partnership with Firehouse Fitness, is proud to announce the launch of a new disability sport initiative designed to offer people in Sheffield the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity in an inclusive and supportive environment.
The project, which aims to provide access to high-quality sports coaching and training for people with disabilities, is fully funded by Firehouse Fitness with a fantastic 5-year commitment announced. It will deliver a range of sports sessions tailored to people of all abilities, helping to foster physical fitness, build confidence, and encourage social inclusion as well as developing the future workforce.
Read more here.
Lewis’ Confidence Grows with Premier League Inspires
The Foundation’s Premier League Inspires programme supports children in educational settings, drawing on the expertise of professional club staff and insights from various educational programmes to create positive change for those most in need. PL Inspires recognises the growing challenges faced by young people today, particularly the increasing prevalence of poor mental health.
We’ve recently been in Parkwood Academy working with their students to help build confidence and resilience to help them enjoy their learning. We highlighted one student in particular, Lewis, who has shown great development over the course of the programme.
Hollie Hobson, Wellbeing & Intervention Officer at Parkwood Academy, said: “We’ve worked with PL Inspires for three years now, and alongside Brad Fox (Employability Coordinator), we’ve been able to encompass so much in the programme that enriches all the aspects of the wellbeing support we’ve wanted to do. With Lewis, this programme has really helped him show his resilience, empathy and kindness. It was a long process, but he’s been fantastic and deserves everything he’s got from this project. With Brad’s guidance, Lewis has been able to continually smash his goals.”
MEPS International Joins “Friends of the Foundation” Initiative
Sheffield United Community Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with MEPS International as a key supporter of our ‘Friends of the Foundation’ initiative. This collaboration highlights MEPS International’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and creating positive social impact in the region.
The ‘Friends of the Foundation’ initiative brings together businesses and organisations that share a common goal of making a difference to the lives of local individuals and families. By joining this important initiative, MEPS International aims to actively contribute to a variety of community-focused projects managed by the Foundation, ranging from educational programs to health and well-being initiatives, as well as providing young people with the opportunity to engage in sport and personal development.
Read more here.
Sterlin’s Passion for Nature Based Solutions
Our Nature Based Blades programme has been working in schools across Sheffield to help educate students on the importance of environmental sustainability. The PL PFA funded programme’s aims are to increase knowledge and positive behaviours in relation to climate action in their community and sees participants receive workshops and accredited qualifications, culminating in the chance to complete a Nature Based Solution in their school or local community.
We’ve recently been delivering Nature Based Blades at Parkwood School and as part of their social action project, the students chose to plant trees to alleviate flooding on their schools’ grounds.
One particular student, Sterlin, has shown a keen eye for this important work. He said: “The school’s grounds aren’t used to its maximum capacity, there’s a lot of dead space, so planting these trees will help broaden the atmosphere. I’ve learnt a lot about planting, how plants behave and being able to work with Sheffield United, it’s about saving our community.”
Westfield Girls in Utilita EFL Girls Cup Area Final Success
Congratulations to the girls from Westfield School who represented the Blades in the EFL Girls Cup Area Final at Leisure United Westfield!
The team now advances to the Regional tournament, which sees the winners move on to the Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Good luck girls!
Healthy Families, Healthy Futures: Louise’s Story
The Foundation’s Healthy Families, Healthy Futures programme supports people to live sustainable, healthy lifestyles through nutritional workshops, weekly physical activity and social wellbeing sessions to support people’s physical and mental health. One of our regular participants, Louise, has found her health has vastly improved as she’s progressed on her journey to leading a healthier lifestyle.
February Half-Term Camps
Bookings are now open for our upcoming February half-term Football Camps!
These fun and engaging sessions take place daily, Monday 17th – Friday 21st February, 9am-3pm at five locations across the city – Handsworth Junior Sporting Club, Leisure United Graves, Leisure United Thorncliffe, Leisure United Westfield & Wisewood Sports Centre.
Sessions are for 5-14 year-olds, and you can book your child’s place here.
Premier League Premier Stars x Norfolk Community Primary School
Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League’s primary school education programme. Funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the programme uses the appeal of football to help children to be active and develop essential life skills.
We’ve recently been in Norfolk Park Community Primary working with the school’s nurture group. The children in the group are non-verbal, so the programme has aimed to help them develop keywords. The kids have shown excellent progress and it’s a testament to the team at Norfolk and our PL Primary Stars Coach, Josh Crisp.
⚔️ We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for the annual Football v Homophobia Awards! The Foundation are up against Sheffield Wednesday Community Programme and Stockport County Community Trust for The Community Trust or Foundation Award. This award recognises the important contribution Professional and Semi-Professional Club charities make to increasing LGBTQ+ inclusion, as well as addressing LGBTQ+phobia within their community.
⚔️ Our congratulations go out to Rainbow Blades and founder James Laley, who have been nominated for the Supporters’ Group Award and FvH Hero Award respectively! Early bird tickets are also now available for Rainbow Blades’ 5th Birthday Ball! Read more here.
⚔️ It was our pleasure to have Sheffield United Women captain Satara Murray talk to students from Bradfield School and Parkwood Academy for a gender equality workshop at Bramall Lane as part of our Premier League Inspires programme.
⚔️ Blades players Andre Brooks & Sam McCallum visited Parkwood Academy and spoke to students about their challenges and experiences on and off the pitch. The pair also offered valuable advice on resilience, motivation, and maintaining a positive mindset.
⚔️ Congratulations to Community College student Harry Skene, who won the National Football Youth League’s U19 Men’s Goal of the Month for December!
⚔️ Finally, congratulations to our first Community College Squad of the Month for 2025!
