Secondary student finds confidence and belonging through Premier League Inspires
For 14-year-old Tom, finding confidence and building relationships during school has not always been easy. After spending much time in hospital during childhood and undergoing four operations, he faced challenges that affected his experience of school.
Through Sheffield United Community Foundation’s Premier League Inspires programme at Forge Valley School, Tom has found a supportive environment where he can develop life skills, build positive relationships and feel more confident about his future.
Premier League Inspires supports young people through a combination of life skills workshops, mentoring and sport, helping them develop the confidence, resilience and skills they need to succeed both in and outside of school.
The Foundation’s Premier League Inspires Officer, Noah Flint, delivers sessions covering a wide range of topics, including managing emotions, building confidence, communication and understanding how to be successful. For Noah, one of the most rewarding aspects of Premier League Inspires is seeing the progress students like Tom make throughout their time on the programme.
Alongside the workshops, mentoring sessions give students the opportunity to talk openly about any challenges or frustrations, while also providing an opportunity to identify their needs and celebrate progress. The programme also incorporates sport, using activities focused on teamwork, communication and leadership to help young people put their skills into practice.
For Tom, the programme has provided valuable support as he has worked through challenges with his confidence and found his place within the school community. “Inspires has really helped me with that. I’ve been less afraid to speak my mind really. I feel like I’ve been more of myself”, Tom shared.
The programme has also helped Tom think more clearly about his ambitions. While he already had an idea of his future career, he says he felt unsure of sure how to get there. Through the support and guidance provided by Premier League Inspires, he has gained a clearer sense of direction and a route to employment.
The impact of Premier League Inspires extends beyond individual students, with the programme playing an important role within the wider school community at Forge Valley.
Anna Hart, Assistant Head Teacher at Forge Valley School, has worked at the school for more than 13 years and has seen first-hand the difference the programme has made. She explains that the school places a strong emphasis on belonging, ensuring students feel that they are part of something bigger. “Students now come to school ready to be part of the bigger picture and know what it is that they need to do to succeed”, Anna explained.
For Tom, the message to other young people who might be considering getting involved at their school is simple:
“Just do it. It’s a good laugh. You’ve got friends, you’ve got support. Just do it really.”
Through Premier League Inspires, Sheffield United Community Foundation is helping young people develop the confidence, skills and support networks they need to overcome challenges, engage positively with education and build a brighter future.