We are really excited to announce that we have been awarded a vital grant from The Jamie G Sporting Trust. Like most young people, our young carers love getting outside to play. Recent funding for increased sporting activities has resulted in increased enthusiasm for sport and we constantly hear ‘I love playing football’, but we lacked sufficient equipment. Young carers often miss out due to their caring role or lack of money, which can impact on their physical and mental health. This grant has enabled us to increase our football kit which allows more young carers to have access to training sessions at our centre.
The Jamie G Sporting Trust was set up in memory of a wonderful Andover sporting talent Jamie Gentleman. The Trust supports youth sports clubs and activities in the Andover area, providing vital funds to ensure young people in Andover have access to sport. Youth sport has suffered in recent years as a result of expenditure constraints. The Trust has provided over £150,000 to sports clubs for the young in the Andover area since 2009. This financial support has provided assistance to local clubs, organisations and individuals by providing equipment, kit and support to further enhance the quality of training the clubs can provide and increase participation in sporting activities.
Tommy Gentleman, Chair of the Jamie G Sporting Trust said “Participation is key to unlocking all of the physical, mental, social and emotional benefits that come with sport. For us, we want to help as many young people in and around Andover to take part and flourish in their own way. The work that the team do at Andover Young Carers is inspirational and we are delighted to empower more possibilities for sport via this grant.”
Amanda Kelly, Charity Executive at AYC said “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this funding. It has allowed us to buy vital equipment to ensure all our young carers can take part in football training activities. This supports the well-being of young carers, which will help with their physical and mental health and give them that all important opportunity to just have some fun”.
Joe Osborne, Support Worker at AYC and football coach added: “This funding has enabled us to hugely improve what we offer our young people. We have noticed that with the addition of this new equipment more young carers are likely to get involved in physical activity. I have recently completed an FA coaching qualification, and the young people adore it when we set up the agility ladders, cones and mini nets for a training session. Now that we have football boots, socks and gloves the young people don’t need to worry about ruining their trainers or getting muddy. We are grateful for the funding and we are looking forward to putting it to good use”
The Big Cheque presentation at AYC
Photo left to right: Nicky Bates (Jamie G Sporting Trust), Amanda Kelly (AYC), Deirdre Lambden (AYC), Joe Osborne (AYC), Louise Broe (Jamie G Sporting Trust)