The Sport for Development Coalition is well-placed to support the aims of the Government's Levelling Up White Paper. Here Ben Hilton, CEO of Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, explains how his organisation will contribute:
Dame Kelly Holmes Trust delivers transformational programmes designed to improve physical and mental wellbeing, helping the young people we work with and for to build healthy relationships and unlock the confidence, self-esteem and resilience needed to achieve in education, work and life. We believe we’re well placed to support the Levelling Up Missions 7 and 8 focusing on health and wellbeing.
We work with existing and former athletes, who we train up to use their unique experience from the world of elite sport to give young people a starting block in life that they may not otherwise have. Our programmes run in community and educational settings. We support young people to create opportunities in their local areas, develop relationships with local organisations and feel a sense of responsibility for and pride in the communities where they live. Our schools programmes have increased attendance and achievement, and reduced behavioural concerns in participating students.
What we’re keen to see now is clear direction on how we can use our expertise to support the agenda. We can demonstrate how sporting mindsets can be used to target inequalities, increase wellbeing and develop skillsets – we’re keen to see how we can support more young people through the Levelling Up plans.
Read more at damekellyholmestrust.org
