Wolves Foundation have delivered another packed summer of events for the city’s young people, offering opportunities to socialise and enjoy physical activities during the school holidays.
In addition to the usual programme of activities including Premier League Kicks, Yo! Active and Sporting Chances, staff put on twice-daily Kicks in the Park sessions at eight different venues from Monday to Thursday, as well as a new Wolf Pack Youth Hub a Molineux across every Friday of the holidays.
Operating in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council, the additional summer activities offered young people another opportunity to get together with friends, or meet new people, whilst taking part in an activity.
In total over 600 participants attended a Kicks in the Park session at either West Park, Bantock Park, Heath Town Park, East Park, Hickman Park, Phoenix Park, Fordhouses Park or Goodyear Neighbourhood Park. Local MP Warinder Juss also popped in to show off his skills at one of the sessions at Bantock.
As well as extending the project to include more parks than ever before, the Foundation also delivered Adults in the Park activities at three of the venues, offering opportunities for parents, guardians and other members of the public to take part alongside the young people.
Meanwhile the new Youth Hub sessions attracted over 100 participants and featured a visit from former Wolves captain and Foundation ambassador Karl Henry.
The initiative was launched as a result of a partnership between the Foundation and Community Safety Team from City of Wolverhampton Council, who provided funding for the project encouraging young people who may be in the City Centre with time on their hands to meet others and take part in a positive activity.
The funding allowing the Foundation to deliver the project free of charge for participants also created an opportunity for young people which they would otherwise not have been able to enjoy.
“The Premier League Kicks programme is such an important project for Wolves Foundation, providing a safe space for young people of all ages and abilities to meet up in a football environment,” says Kurran Kullar, youth engagement manager with the Foundation.
“We continued with our normal schedule during the holidays as we know how important those regular sessions can be, but added in Kicks in the Park to offer additional opportunities during daytime hours.
“In an ideal world, we want to deliver Kicks in the Park across as much of the city as we can, and adding in new parks this year meant we were able to reach a greater number of participants.
“We also received great feedback about the new Youth Hub, which we delivered at Molineux on every Friday of the holidays.
“Once again, it was a session offering a safe space for young people to come and take part in activities such as table tennis and pool, along with socialising and making new friends.
“We really enjoyed delivering the project in partnership with the city’s Community Safety Team, and are looking forward to working together again in the very near future.”
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Minister for Health, Wellbeing and Community, added: “It is fantastic to see how many young people were able to become active and enjoy some fun over the holidays thanks to the partnership between Wolves Foundation and the Local Authority.
“As a Council, it is important for us to be able to provide opportunities for our younger residents, and providing funding to partners such as the Foundation allows us to work together to offer those opportunities.
“The numbers who attended the first sessions of the Youth Hub are really encouraging, and moving forward it is an initiative can continue to be successful in the future.”
There are now plans for the Youth Hub to return during October half term, again offering the city’s young people the chance to get together and enjoy some friendly fun and games at Molineux.
