Centre Forward scores £100k Lottery funding

An initiative which aims to help young people with learning disabilities use sport and physical activity to deliver positive life changes has scored £100,000 in funding.
Forth Valley College’s Development and Fundraising Manager Pauline Barnaby and David Stewart Community Manager at the Falkirk Foundation welcoming the announcement of the £100,000 funding for the Centre Forward - Making Your Move initiativeForth Valley College’s Development and Fundraising Manager Pauline Barnaby and David Stewart Community Manager at the Falkirk Foundation welcoming the announcement of the £100,000 funding for the Centre Forward - Making Your Move initiative
Forth Valley College’s Development and Fundraising Manager Pauline Barnaby and David Stewart Community Manager at the Falkirk Foundation welcoming the announcement of the £100,000 funding for the Centre Forward - Making Your Move initiative

An initiative which aims to help young people with learning disabilities use sport and physical activity to deliver positive life changes has scored £100,000 in funding.

The Centre Forward - Making Your Next Move programme, which is a partnership between Forth Valley College and Falkirk Foundation, has been granted the cash boost from the National Lottery Community Fund Young Start Programme.

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The initiative, which is designed to help those aged 16 to 24 with learning disabilities achieve their aspirations, develop existing skills and improve confidence using sport and physical activity, has been running for two years and the funding will allow it to continue for at least another three years.

The project offers a comprehensive suite of skills, combined with certified SQA units, enabling participants to overcome their individual barriers to progression.

So far, 25 young people have taken part in Centre Forward, successfully completing 189 qualifications and engaging with the community volunteering at local events.

Student Steven Stone said: “I started the Centre Forward course in 2019 and from the first day I was made to feel welcome.

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“I was given a Falkirk football tracksuit that looked really smart and made me feel good.

“The course consisted of a mixture of classroom work and sports activities.

“I have a learning disability and was given assistance and support with the classroom work.

“It was great to be able to work and learn at The Falkirk Stadium as it had such fantastic facilities.

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“I made lots of friends on the course and this helped with my confidence and self-esteem.

“I managed to complete two football coaching courses and also completed a first aid course.

“The thing I enjoyed most about Centre Forward was the work experience I had when working in the kitchen at the new campus within Forth Valley College. 

“Everything involved with Centre Forward was great and I would highly recommend the course to anyone.”

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Neil Ritch, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Director, said:  “Young Start funding helps to supporting young people to build confidence, develop new skills and realise their own potential.

“Each project awarded has made an incredible impact in the lives of the young people they support.  

“I’m delighted that Young Start is working with projects like Forth Valley College and Falkirk Foundation’s Centre Forward Programme, which offer young people the chance to develop life skills and gain qualifications.”

David Stewart, community manager at the foundation, said: “We believe that sport can inspire people to make changes to their own lives, to raise aspirations and ambitions and to open their minds to new possibilities.

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“We look forward to working with more young people with learning disabilities and creating a mutually beneficial learning environment where participants and employers can educate each other.”

Jacqueline McArthur, director of curriculum for business and communities, said: “This excellent new funding support will make a real difference in the lives of young people with learning difficulties disabilities.

“I am very proud of my colleagues who have worked very hard on developing the course and sourcing the funding in partnership with the Falkirk Foundation, and am confident that working together, the results of the project will go from strength to strength.

“We can’t thank the National Lottery Community Fund Young Start Programme enough, for their generous donation and we will make sure the money is put to good use in helping to transform the lives of young people in the Falkirk area.”

Visit www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses for more information or to apply.

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