Bolton Wanderers Community Trust use the power of football as well as other sports & education to bring communities together, creating inclusive environments and opportunities that channel the energy and potential of hard to reach people into positive activities that contribute to safer and stronger communities for all.
Please see below for information on schemes currently being run by the Bolton Wanderers Community Cohesion Team.
Using the power of football and appeal of professional football clubs brands Kickz aims to engage young people who may otherwise be difficult to reach.
Kevin Davies with some of the Young people from the project
Launched in April 2006 by Tony Blair, the Kickz football programme is a joint initiative between the football industry and the police. Its purpose is to target some of the most disadvantaged areas in the country in order to create safer, stronger and more respectful communities through the development of young people's potential. This aim will be achieved by:
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Engaging young people (aged 12 -18 yrs) in a range of constructive activities which link to the Governments Every Child Matters policy
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Creating routes into education, training and employment
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Encourage volunteering within projects and throughout the target neighbourhoods
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Breaking down barriers between the police and young people
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Reducing crime and anti social behaviour in the targeted neighbourhoods
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Increasing the playing, coaching and officiating opportunities for participants
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Encouraging volunteering within projects and throughout the target neighbourhoods.
Ivan Klasnic ,Gretar Steinsson and participants at the BWCT Kickz Project
For further information on Kickz and how to get involved, please click here
The “Get Off The Bench” Youth project was launched in 2009 with the support of the Premier League and the PFA Community Fund. It is used as a way of engaging and developing at risk teens aged 14-18 from within the Horwich, Blackrod and Westhoughton areas of Bolton.
The “Get Off The Bench” team work in partnership with Bolton Youth Services and volunteers to engage individuals, and the local community. Our staff are able to identify issues teenagers face through the use of high energy games, problem solving activities, IT, table top games, discussion topics and much more.
Our objectives are simple. By using a broad based community collaboration approach, the “Get Off The Bench” project will work to empower at risk teens to create lasting, sustainable changes in their communities. Workshops are delivered in order to tackle both national and regional agendas these workshops cover areas relating to drugs & alcohol, anti-smoking, sexual health, bullying, racial awareness and teenage pregnancy.
Young People from Horwich Youth Centre on a recent visit to UKSkate in Stockport.
For further information on 'Get Off The Bench' and how to get involved, please click here
The Positive Chances project involves working with local children/young people who are living within the care system of Bolton and the surrounding areas. Research has shown us that many young people in care do not take part in many activities and fail to reach their educational potential due to barriers such as a lack of encouragement, guidance and support.
The Young people will be involved in regular physical activitiy and have increase awareness of health, fitness and nutrition during each year of the project.
Positive Chances will also engage with 20 young people during the year that are deemed hard to reach living in a residential enviroment in specialist 1-1 work. By arranging these activities we are hopeful that the young people will become more confident whilst working on different skills such as team work, communication, social interaction and building relationships with other young people and adults.
The project also offers a study support programme to increase levels of support and attainment. The young people have the opportunity to gain qualifications in various areas of interest to help towards their future prospects.
Cares and families will take part in team building/relationship building activities to increase stable placements and reduce failing placements.
The project has got young people involved in activities such as Football, Indoor Climbing, Table Tennis, Horse Riding and Street dance.
For further information on the Positive Chances programme and how to get involved, please click here.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club was one of the first top flight clubs in the country to introduce a scheme with the aim to unite the diverse communities through the stronghold of the Wanderers brand.
Through the power of football and its standing in the community, Wanderers recognises Bolton as one of the country's most diverse towns and aims to become the catalyst at developing harmony and unity amongst the many communities that make the borough such an exciting place to live and work.
The Club has developed a Community Cohesion Strategy which is being championed by the Club but with the full support of Bolton Council along with the faith groups and communities themselves.
For further information on the Unity in Diversity programme and how to get involved, please click here.