bristol sport (2).qxp_Layout 7 23/08/2021 12:33 Page 1
SPORT & EDUCATION
Bristol Bears Community Foundation works with over 8,000 people from the local community each year, contributing to the club’s vision to ‘inspire the community through rugby success’
The power of sport
The charities of the Bristol Sport Group have been working tirelessly to help the young people of Greater Bristol thrive inside and outside of the classroom. After a tumultuous year, we find out how intrinsic their work has been for so many
H
ome to Bristol City FC, Bristol Bears Rugby and Bristol Flyers Basketball, Bristol Sport has three charitable foundations that continue to deliver truly amazing work in the communities of Greater Bristol, using sport as an engagement tool to improve the fortunes of young people. Here, we take a look at each foundation to find out more about their educational work in the community, with insight from the people behind the scenes. Bristol Sport Foundation BSF is on a mission to use the power of sport to create active, healthy, happy communities. Its work has been especially vital throughout the past year as Tom Monks, head of programmes, tells us: “In a year of uncertainty, we have provided some ‘normal’ for all of the children we work with, whether in school, for children of key workers and vulnerable children, or through our community clubs, hubs and holiday camps. The importance of physical activity during this period has only been elevated and the feedback we’ve received from participants and partners has highlighted how much they’ve appreciated our PE lessons and community delivery.” But it’s not just all about sport, BSF has designed and delivered several impactful educational programmes including Reading Recovery. This collaborative project between BSF and its various corporate partners is helping primary school children aged between seven and 11 improve their literacy skills by giving them time to practice reading ‘one to one’ with a volunteer adult. Altogether, the programme has 56 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
|
SEPTEMBER 2021
|
No 202
delivered 256 hours of voluntary reading time in five wards of Greater Bristol. Not only has Reading Recovery had a significant positive impact on the reading levels of the children, but also on their social skills and confidence. As one headteacher put it: “The time they have invested in the children has increased their confidence and enhanced their love of reading. I cannot speak highly enough of the programme, the people involved and the impact it has had on the children at my school.” BSF also delivers a comprehensive teacher mentoring programme which has significantly increased both the knowledge and confidence of the individual primary school PE teachers that it has supported, ensuring that children receive outstanding PE provision. Bristol City Robins Foundation The Robins Foundation is the official charity of Bristol City Football Club, and its mission is to be a foundation right at the heart of its community. The education department has recently reached its 10th anniversary and offers exciting post-16 and higher education courses, with some being based at Ashton Gate Stadium and across different locations in Bristol. Polly Wardle is the head of education at the foundation and oversees the eight different programmes on offer including BTEC Level 2 in Sport and BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport. She explains the impact that the programmes have on young people. “Students from across Bristol, but especially from South Bristol, enrol on our programmes,” she says. “We provide an education for students in an alternative, inspirational environment. Students come to our
