An Oswestry football charity has been praised for its work in leading a project to help young people.
The New Saints FC Foundation recently won Government funding for the Oswestry Youth Sport Programme aimed at helping young people facing challenges in school and needing extra support and redirection.
It has teamed up with the Marches School, the Brightstar boxing academy in Shifnal, Oswestry Town Council, Shropshire Council’s Early Help Team, Oswestry community kitchen OsNosh, and West Mercia Police to run a 10-week programme of support for 10 youngsters.
The programme included one-to-one mentoring, an outing to Manchester United FC, a talk by Olympian and Go Hard Go Home TV show star Adele Nicoll, plus sport and fitness sessions to build team spirit, confidence and a sense of community.
The pilot course finished recently with a presentation event at TNS’s Park Hall home, near Oswestry when the course leaders paid tribute to the progress the young people had made.
Tom Leather, from TNS Foundation and lead coach on the project, said that it had been inspirational to be involved in the programme.
He said: “It’s been based around creating a team and understanding that they are working together as one.
“They have all been amazing on both the good days and the bad days.
“While the programme is coming to an end, the project isn’t stopping. All the mentors are still there for these young adults to support them in the future.”
Mel France, from Shropshire Council, added: “We are really proud of the programme and how everyone worked in the community to support these young people. It was an inspiration to see the change.”
Young people taking part were presented with awards by Ian Williams of The New Saints FC including a football signed by the team.
Justine Holdsworth, from The Marches School said that it had been a privilege to get to know the young people on the programme and watch them succeed alongside the Oswestry Youth Sport Programme team.
The result had been a huge improvement in lessons gradings and behaviour.
The event heard from young people involved in the programme who said it had been a thought-provoking and rewarding experience.
“I think I have improved as a person because I think about others more,” said one.