Centre Spot join Black Country Talent Match Programme with “Life is a Sport – Make it Count”

by | Oct 4, 2015

Centre Spot are pleased to be selected as one of the preferred suppliers for the Talent Match Black Country offer. Talent Match is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and focuses on youth unemployment and especially long-term youth unemployment. Talent Match will enable young people who are furthest away from being work-ready to secure or take up enterprising and/or job opportunities, by improving their confidence and optimism and offering intensive support through the provision of solution focused mentors.

Every young person who joins the project chooses a mentor who supports them to become work-ready, improve their confidence and motivation, access training opportunities, work experience and job opportunities. Mentors are recruited on a ratio of 10:1 and are required to adopt a person centred, solutions focused approach. They work with a young person towards and into employment, including supporting them once employment is secured.

Centre Spot’s Life is a Sport – Make it Count programme engages young people aged 18-24 with Talent Match Foundation. Using sport as a catalyst to engage participants in a short programme of activities that will provide the foundation to develop soft skills that are required for other Talent Match programmes and for excelling in life.

The programme is designed to increase opportunities for young people who require additional support to overcome specific barriers to employment & encourage them to take part in activities that have a positive influence on their lives.

The programme will cover the wards of Wednesbury and Smethwick in Sandwell and be delivered from Pulse Soccer and Fitness Centre and Windmill Centre respectively.
To find out more about the Centre Spot Talent Match offer please email: info@centrespot.org or call 01215692412.

Healthy Futures Project: a success

Healthy Futures Project: a success

by | Apr 14, 2015

The Healthy Futures project recognises that constructive, dynamic sessions that deal with issues such as emotional wellbeing, health interventions for smoking, alcohol, drugs, sexual health, healthy lifestyles, training, education and employment, hand in hand with trusted relationships fostered by mentors and coaches work as part of the solution to the prevention of a range of problems commencing and/or escalating with our young people today.

Centre Spot have successfully completed our Big Lottery funded Healthy Futures Project. The project embarked on engaging young people from the Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton areas in enjoyable positive activities that sought to:

  • develop their social skills and emotional health making them better able to cope with the challenges of adolescence and the transition to adulthood.
  • increase confidence, physical health and wellbeing resulting in improved life chances and learning opportunities, especially in young people who are at risk of drink or drugs or are smokers.
  • tackle antisocial behaviour enabling the young people to become more active citizens and providing opportunities for them to work in the community.

On completion of the project, which reached over 150 young people over a two year period, mentors reported that 64 youngsters had achieved an entry level sports qualification, and 15 had commenced volunteering opportunities in the community.

Other achievements boasted by the projects participants included those who continued to reduce their smoking habits, even when not in attendance, and were able to talk to the coaches about their improved health and fitness levels as a result. Many of the youngsters who recorded their fitness levels at the outset, monitored them throughout and were able to see noticeable improvements in their overall fitness as evidenced by the fitness testing.

Youngsters who would normally have been unable to work in groups, or as part of a team were able to take part in group discussions, Steering Committee Meetings, and work with the other participants to plan a Final Event, a celebration of the achievement throughout the 12 week projects. A ‘big brother’ approach was fostered in many of the projects with the older participants helping to nurture and guide the younger attendees, leading discussions in areas such as anti-social behaviour, and training and education. The mentors commented that when backed up with personal stories from other participants, the support and advice that was being provided, was given greater value. This in turn enabled the mentors to work with the older individuals on identifying their skills and strengths, and work towards pinpointing possible career paths.

Manny Abbeyquaye; Centre Spot Director said

“It has been a very enjoyable project, and we are pleased to have exceeded our expectation. We are grateful to have received the funding from the Big Lottery, and equally thankful for the help we received in delivering the project particularly from Start Again CIC and Sandwell Young Peoples Service. The project notes will soon be available on our website so that it can be replicated elsewhere”.

The resources developed and created for the Healthy Futures Project are available for schools and community groups to use. Should you like a copy of the Healthy Futures resources, please contact us by email

Centre Spot Volunteers enjoy a day out in London thanks to Street Games

Centre Spot Volunteers enjoy a day out in London thanks to Street Games

by | Jul 22, 2014

Nine Centre Spot volunteers spent the day out in London first for some BMX riding at Lee Valley VeloPark, and then for a meal at Nandos.

Lee Valley VeloPark is where Team GB triumphed on the track during the London 2012 Games and is made up of the iconic Olympic velodrome, the remodelled 390 metre Olympic BMX track, five miles of new mountain bike trails and a new one mile road circuit.

The trip was made possible thanks to the Street Games Volunteer recognition fund, which recognises the contribution of young volunteers to Street Games projects across the UK. Centre Spot was awarded £500, which the Volunteers decide to spend on a day out in London.

Louis Anderson –Thompson Centre Spot Volunteer said:

 “I really enjoyed today, I knew the BMX riding will be fun, but it turned out to be a lot more fun than I thought. Thanks to Street Games for paying for our day out. I have really enjoyed volunteering; it has made me more confident and made me a better coach”

As well as volunteering for Centre Spot, Young volunteers get to take part in Youth Conferences, Young Volunteers residential and Training, plus other exciting opportunities such as the ‘StreetGames Young Advisors’ and delivery of local youth led projects through the Street Games Youth Led Funding.

If you want to join the Centre Spot StreetGames Young Volunteer programme, please contact info@centrespot.org

Centre Spot receives grant from money raised by Health Desire for Friar Park Sports Project

by | Apr 30, 2014

Centre Spot has received a £43,870 grant from money raised by Health Desire through The Health Lottery. The funding will enable Centre Spot to deliver the “Friar Park Sporting Champions” project.

Addressing a lack of community activities for young people in the Friar Park estate in Wednesbury Centre Spot will deliver weekly simultaneous football and dance sessions for 50 young people aged 14-18 from the deprived Friary Park estate with a positive way to spend their free time. Sessions will be led by qualified coaches and instructors who live on the estate alongside experienced Mentors, with local young people who have previously participated in Centre Spot projects supporting as volunteers and peer mentors. Young people attending the dance sessions will work together to create routines that can be performed locally at small scale events whilst football participants will form a fortnightly football league attended by other local young people. Additionally, the groups will work together to create annual award events to recognise their achievements.

Positive outcomes will occur as the Mentors and volunteers use an informal approach to regularly support participants within sessions as well as young people formally completing a ‘Play Maker’ qualification.

Project leader Dane Saunders said: “This grant will help us expand our work in the community and enable us to target young people especially. The young people will have full control of the project and will be heavily involved in its design and delivery”.

For more information about Health Desire contact Info@HealthDesireCIC.org.uk or visit www.healthdesirecic.org.uk

Health Desire is a Community Interest Company committed to raising money to address health inequalities in the West Midlands.

The Health Lottery is operated for and on behalf of 51 Community Interest Companies across England, Scotland, and Wales, all holding society lottery licenses issued by the Gambling Commission: www.healthlottery.co.uk

People’s Health Trust is an independent charity addressing health inequalities across Great Britain. It works closely with each Community Interest Company distributing grants. www.peopleshealthtrust.org.uk

Young People in Wolverhampton to enjoy Football sessions thanks to BBC Children in Need

by | Jan 18, 2014

Centre Spot CIC is delighted to be awarded a grant of £45,423 from the BBC Children in Need for its Shoot 4 Boots Soccer Saturday project in Wolverhampton. The project will run over 3 years and help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the area.

This grant has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the public during which saw £26.7 million raised on appeal night 2012.
Centre Sport CIC is a creative social enterprise that uses Sports and Physical Activity to engage and build capacities of people, particularly young people. Centre Spot seeks to encourage the uptake of physical activity and improve the physical wellbeing of communities.

Centre Spot delivers exciting and engaging projects locally and their success has gained national and international recognition both from Sport Development partners and professional athletes.

Shoot 4 Boots Soccer Saturday will use sport to engage disadvantaged children aged 6-18 years old from the Wolverhampton area in positive, healthy activities with the aim of:

  • Engaging disadvantaged children and young people in sport
    • Providing an informal environment allowing disadvantaged young people to develop their personal and sporting skills
    • Increase opportunities for children and young people who have no aspirations for their future & encourage them to take part in activities that have a positive influence on their lives.

Thanks to the support of BBC Children in Need, Shoot 4 Boot Soccer Saturday will run for 38 weeks each year, for three years in line with the Football League season and deliver informal training and competitions for participants aged 6 – 15 years including informal mentoring and signposting to other services.

The project will also deliver volunteering, training and mentoring for 16 – 18-year-olds, with the opportunity to gain entry level coaching certification.
Participants will also have access to free reconditioned football boots through the scheme.

Shoot 4 Boots Soccer Saturday taster sessions will start early in the New Year, dates and times can be found at www.centrespot.org from the January 2014.

Manny Abbeyquaye, Centre Spot Director said, “The investment from BBC Children in Need will ensure that children from one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in Wolverhampton get the opportunity to receive regular high quality coaching, and play football in a safe and fun environment, by training local young volunteers, it is hoped that the project will be sustainable and leave a lasting legacy”

BBC Children in Need funding relies on the energy and commitment of thousands of fundraisers and supporters across the UK, who donate their time and money to support the Appeal. Whether it’s cake sales, dance offs or treasure hunts, every penny of the money raised goes towards supporting projects across the UK.

David Ramsden, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, said; ‘We are delighted to be supporting Shoot 4 Boots Soccer which is only possible due to the incredible generosity of our fundraisers across the UK. You really do help us to make a difference to young lives – thank you!”

Centre Spot crowned National Champions

Centre Spot crowned National Champions

by | Dec 18, 2012

The national finals of the inaugural StreetGames Football Pools Fives took place at St. Georges Park, the FA’s state of the art national football centre, on the weekend of Saturday 3 / Sunday 4 August. The 16 teams which had earned a place at the finals were joined by former England defender Gareth Southgate and Olympic Bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton.

They were also joined by Man City Ladies player Kim Turner, broadcaster DJ Spoony, UK champion football freestyler John Whetton, former player Steve Claridge and Football League referee Keith Stroud. The programme has targeted thousands of young men and women from disadvantaged communities in its first year, with 16 teams of 160 competitors reaching this weekend’s final 5-a-side football tournament at The FA’s state of the art national football centre in Burton-Upon-Trent.

Former England defender and Aston Villa captain Southgate and Olympic medallist Sotherton put the men’s and women’s teams through their paces and cheered them on from the side-lines as they all competed for the winner’s trophy on the Wembley replica size indoor 3G pitch at St. George’s Park. Southgate said:

“This is the inaugural year of the StreetGames Football Pools Fives programme, and it has been a resounding success. It has been clear to see that the young players have absolutely loved playing here at St. George’s Park – it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of them to play at the home of all England’s national football teams. “Two 5-a-side football teams, men and women teams respectively, were crowned champions as they represented their region in the National Final of the StreetGames Football Pools Fives at St. George’s Park.

Liam Sealey, from Deepdale La Coruna from Preston, winners of the men’s tournament: “It was that bit more special given I was the only one in the team who isn’t fasting for Ramadan so it’s amazing how well we did. “We could never have usually expected to even play at somewhere like St George’s Park and now, having won it, can take a lot of pride in ourselves away from the tournament. We also made a lot of friends from all around the country and got to see what the southerners are like compared to us! We’ll definitely try and make it back here next year.
” Centre Spots Sinead added: “There was a big feeling of relief as well as pride and excitement because the girls have worked so hard, and everyone really deserves it.

“We have been on such a long journey to be here and to have it all end by winning the trophy is unbelievable, we’re all so happy. It’s important that young people get the chance to have a go in the sort of facilities St George’s Park and it was fantastic getting the chance to play there.”

Jane Ashworth OBE, Chief Executive of StreetGames, said: “The StreetGames Football Pools Fives regional programme has been a great success in its first year and the final was a fantastic experience for all the young people. The programme has engaged with more than 7000 young people already and will continue to encourage participation in years to come. “Ian Penrose, CEO of Sportech PLC, owner of The Football Pools added: “We have been so pleased with how the programme has been received and the National Final at St. George’s Park has just been fantastic.

During this 90th Anniversary of the Football Pools, we are extremely proud of our ongoing commitment to Sport in this country and leaving a lasting legacy across the UK.