FC HALIFAX TOWN FOUNDATION

Grant to FC Halifax Town Foundation

Grant to FC Halifax Town Foundation

Grant to FC Halifax Town Foundation

It has always been an aim of the FC Halifax Town Foundation to create a programme that will contribute to positive social change by increasing engagement and accessibility to safe and organised football provision and help to create a fitter, ....more

It has always been an aim of the FC Halifax Town Foundation to create a programme that will contribute to positive social change by increasing engagement and accessibility to safe and organised football provision and help to create a fitter, healthier, more active and connected local community. Many of our projects have focused upon tackling physical inactivity, whilst promoting mental wellbeing through physical activity. A recent project designed to tackle physical inactivity was delivered over a 46-week period, which included weekly or twice-weekly football-based sessions to create a routine of consistent attendance. The sessions were open to boys and girls of all abilities, they were not part of a club or games programme but designed to address inactivity. A case study demonstrated the importance of the project, particularly accessibility to a consistent programme. Following a discussion with a parent it became clear that a 12-year-old child, DN was a carer for his father who is classed as being mentally and physically disabled. His family had recently become the target of antisocial behaviour in and around their local neighbourhood to the extent where the police had been involved on a number of occasions. The father described these instances as having a significant mental impact upon their family to the extent that they became anxious leaving home. The football sessions provided the outlet that DN looked forward to each week, they also provided the opportunity for father and son to bond outside of the home as they would walk to and from the sessions together and his father would spectate. At risk of becoming marginalised the sessions provided DN with an opportunity to integrate and socially interact with children of his age, make new friends and gain confidence being around others in the local community. The sessions allowed DN to remain active, healthy and increase his own self-confidence and esteem through playing sport. Overall, his father commented that the sessions allowed DN to have a more optimistic outlook on their family circumstances supporting DN’s resilience and ability to cope with the challenging and difficult situation.