Nicholas Soames has expressed his delight that his idea to initiate a Prince’s Trust project in Mid Sussex is to become a reality.

The Prince's Trust, Brighton & Hove Albion and Mid Sussex Football & Health in the Community project have teamed up on an innovative new scheme, helping young people from Mid-Sussex find work.

The intensive week-long course, based at Hassocks Community Football Club, uses football to motivate 16-to 19-year-olds to increase their self-esteem and job prospects.

Participants on ‘Get Off The Bench’ will develop their fitness and gain key workplace skills such as leadership and communication as well as gain an accredited FA Junior Team Organisers award. They will learn drug awareness, emergency first aid, plus receive motivational talks about fitness, healthy living and how to keep focused. The course, funded by the Learning and Skills Council, Premier League, PFA & Football Foundation, will provide ongoing support so they build on their achievements.

The course aims to help young people into work and form positive role models in their community. At the end of the week the young people will use the skills learned to run a coaching session with local primary school children.

Nicholas Soames said; “With one in four 19 year olds in rural districts failing to achieve a basic level qualification, you can see why courses like this are needed. We need to engage our young people in a way that is interesting to them and football is a great way to do this.”

Get off the Bench is open to males and females alike and is aimed at those who are not in full-time education, training or work.

The programme is due to run from the 3rd – 7th March 2008 at Hassocks Community Football Club. Transport, lunches and playing kit will be provided. For more information contact Jo Wren at The Prince’s Trust on Tel No 07979 817600 07979 817600.

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Notes

o Last year in the South East The Prince’s Trust helped 3000 of the region’s disadvantaged young people.

o In the South East, more than 47,442 18-24 year olds (7% of this group) are unemployed, costing nearly £7.94 million a week in lost productivity.

o Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps change young lives in the UK. It gives practical and financial support, developing skills such as confidence and motivation. It works with 14-30 year olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. The programmes lead to young people getting back into work, education and training, as well as improving attitudes towards health and lifestyle.

o HRH The Prince of Wales launched the Football Initiative at Old Trafford in August 1997. In ten years, almost 11,000 young people have benefited from the support of over 60 football clubs through a long-term partnership with the Premier League, PFA and Football Foundation. Supporting clubs provide behind the scenes tours, motivational talks, work placements, signed merchandise and player appearances.

o Mid Sussex Football & Health in the Community Project, is a partnership project between Mid Sussex District Council, Brighton & Hove Albion, Football foundation, Downland Housing, West Sussex Primary Care Trust and Mid Sussex Local Strategic Partnership. The aims of the project are to increase participation in children and adults in football by engaging people 5 times 30 minutes per week. The project also uses football as a tool to instil health messages relating to healthy lifestyles. The project also aims to train local people to become volunteers and part time coaches. The project works with local clubs to achieve Club mark or FA charter standard and provides increased opportunities for young people with dyspraxia, ADHD, and other co-ordination difficulties.

Other partners involved in the project are:

Sussex LSC

VT Careers Management / Connexions

Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead Town Councils

Sussex Police

Youth Offending Service

Brighton & Hove Albion

Mid Sussex District Council

Hassocks Parish Council

Downland Housing

Burgess Hill Boys Club

West Sussex Primary Care Trust

Mid Sussex Local Strategic Partnership