The Soccer School programme uses the brand of Manchester City to engage participants in open access football, increasing physical activity throughout the school holidays with regular sessions in communities across the city.
More than 400 participants were provided with free full day structured coaching sessions, as well as free food provision at all sites to tackle holiday hunger in the most deprived areas of the city.
This summer, additional free hot and cold lunches were made available to children not taking part in the Soccer School sessions. Throughout the month of August, CITC provided free 2,880 meals.
The free football offering was expanded via additional sessions in local parks, delivered by coaches; also reaching hundreds of participants.
Elsewhere, CITC’s Kicks project continued. Kicks is an outreach programme which provides free evening, weekend and school holiday provision. Through mentoring and open-access football sessions, including specific Female Empowerment and disability provision, Kicks delivers 6 days a week, 48 weeks a year ensuring CITC has a consistent presence across Greater Manchester.
The Kicks project addresses the lack of opportunity for those living in areas of social deprivation whilst providing positive activities at times and in communities where there is a gap in youth provision.
As well as access to football and food, CITC ensured that all projects delivered during a #SummerWithCITC including educational workshops. Discussion topics included mental health, wellbeing, antibullying and racism.
Martin Ingham-Griffith, Outreach Manger, said:
City in the Community has a proud history of creating free opportunities for young people across Manchester to stay active during the school holidays.
Over the last year, we have worked hard to expand this support through additional free meals and workshops which have been specifically designed to get participants talking about important topics relevant to them.
We would like to say a huge well done to everyone who joined us this summer, as well as massive thank you to our coaches and partners.
CITC partners during #SummerWithCITC include Manchester City Council and the Premier League.
