Asda Foundation National Programme Announcement at Stormont
by activecn
Wednesday 25 November, Belfast:- Asda Northern Ireland and Active Communities Network revealed the details of a funding package close to £600,000 which, over the next three years, will support some of the most vulnerable and ‘at risk’ young people in the region.
The donation from the Asda Foundation – the largest provided to a local charity or group to date –extends Asda’s partnership with sport for development charity, Active Communities Network, and aims to support youth outreach into areas with high social deprivation, delivering clear progression pathways into citizenship and employment.
Active Communities Network has been operating in Northern Ireland since 2009 promoting personal, social and community development for young people through involvement in sport, physical activity, arts and culture. The partnership with Asda first began in early 2014 following an initial donation of £58,000 and was accompanied by a trial outreach programme in the areas of North and West Belfast - supported locally by both the Asda Shore Road and Asda Westwood stores.
The partnership has seen over 500 young people in Belfast engage with sport and youth programming to date, with many receiving accredited training and qualifications in citizenship and volunteering. Nearly a quarter of those who have participated in the programme have also gone on to access apprenticeship schemes and work placements.
As part of this new phase of activity, Active Communities Network will open hubs in Coleraine, Omagh and Portadown and work alongside the Community Life Champions (CLCs) at each of Asda’s 17 stores in NI* to run outreach programmes across the region. The Asda colleagues will undergo training enabling them to provide support by mentoring young people, shadowing them during sport and youth work as well as offering them work placement opportunities. It is expected that over 1,500 young people will engage with and be supported by this programme annually over the three years.
The announcement was made at an event held at Stormont in Belfast, hosted by the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA. Also in attendance were staff and coaches from Active Communities Network, colleagues and CLCs from Asda and young people aged 14-19 years old from North and West Belfast who have attended previous Asda Foundation and Active Communities Network sessions and gained certificates in cookery and nutrition as well as basic first aid in partnership with the British Heart Foundation.
For more information about the partnership programme or to get involved, contact Active Communities Network on 020 7407 8177, Tweet @ActiveCN or email info@activecommunities.org.uk
