Gillingham FC are proud to announce a new project which will be delivered at the Folkestone Sports Centre
Last Friday saw the launch of a new and exciting project that the Gills Community Trust will be delivering in the Shepway area of Kent.The SHAPE-UP project will work with six cohorts of between 10 and 15 young people aged between 12 and 15 years throughout a 12/24-month period.
Gillingham FC Community staff and the Folkestone Sports Centre staff will deliver Saturday morning and school holiday sport and education sessions themed on health, fitness, resilience, social responsibility and work readiness.
Participants and their families, where appropriate, will visit Gillingham FC’s stadium on a match day for a tour where they will see the various professions involved in professional football and afterwards to watch the game.
The rationale is to demonstrate that individuals do not have to be elite players to be involved in professional sports as this is achievable at many levels in many occupations.
There will also be a 10-12 hour-per week mentoring/1-2-1 element where GFCCT will support project participants on an individual basis to assist in solving relevant issues and signposting to appropriate services.
In attendance of the launch were Damian Collins MP, Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Ann Barnes, Divisional Commander Jon Sutton, Shepway Council, KCC Councillors, amongst others, who are all firmly backing the project.
Community Trust manager Adam Lawrence commented: “Gillingham Football Club is developing its community activities and using its status as Kent’s only professional football club to reach communities and individuals who have not engaged with traditional services to provide opportunities and improve life chances.
"The political and financial support from those in attendance today, demonstrates a true multi-agency commitment."
The project is due to start soon, and we will of course keep you up to date with how it is going.