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Premier League footballers
call on dads to get reading with their children
FOOTBALLER, author, father and 'Reading
Star' Frank Lampard launches Premier League Reading Stars 2015 on World Book
Day
Frank Lampard, Adam Lallana, Joey Barton and Boaz Myhill are among the
footballer dads who are part of Premier League Reading Stars 2015, helping to
inspire thousands of children in disadvantaged areas of the UK to improve their
literacy skills.
The Premier League Reading Stars list for 2015 was unveiled today (World Book
Day) at an event led by Manchester City's Reading Star Frank Lampard at Urmston
Junior School in Manchester.
Children at the school heard Frank talk about the inspiration behind his
Frankie's Magic Football series, had the chance to ask him questions and took
part in football literacy games. Jim Sells of the National Literacy Trust, who
manages the Premier League Reading Stars programme, chaired the fun and
interactive session for 278 pupils, some of which had the chance to go in goal
against Frank!
As 'Reading Stars', 20 high profile Premier League footballers explain
why they enjoy reading and how they have decided on their favourite adult and
children books (see full list below). The Premier League Reading Stars
programme, run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and now in its
12th year, is a strongly evidence-based and effective programme which closes the
gap in reading ability between 7 to 15 year olds who are underachieving and
those who are reading at the expected level.
The programme uses footballers as role models to change attitudes towards
reading and uses children's passion for football to motivate them to enjoy
reading, which improves their levels at school. Each of the players set literacy
challenges for participants with them being able to unlock statistics, tips and
videos from each footballer as they progress through the programme.
This year, several of the players, including Lampard, are reading role models in
their own families and have chosen books which they enjoy reading at home to
their children. The 'Reading Stars' join the Premier League and National
Literacy Trust in calling on dads to take an active role in reading to their
child and supporting their literacy.
The National Literacy Trust is a leading partner of the 'Read On. Get On.'
campaign which highlights the crucial role of fathers in supporting their child
to read. A father reading daily to a five year old means that a child's reading
will be almost half a year more advanced than a child read to less than once a
week by their father.
To support their children's literacy dads (and other family members) can:
Get inspired by watching Premier League footballing dads talking about what they
enjoy reading with their children, and also Take part in the fun football
reading challenges with their children in the groups website.
Visit:-
WordsForLife.Org.UK to find book recommendations, activities
and tips on making reading and writing fun for children
Frank Lampard, Manchester City midfielder said:- "I am thrilled to be
taking part once again in the Premier League Reading Stars programme; as a dad,
literacy is a cause close to my heart - I love reading with my girls, and would
really encourage other parents to keep reading with their kids, because your
influence is so important, and the skills that children get from reading are
priceless. Even 10 minutes a day is valuable, and a great time spent with them."
Jim Sells, Manager of the programme at the National Literacy Trust said:-
"Parents have a huge impact on their child's motivation and ability to read and
it's great to see so many of our Reading Stars who are also dads share their
love of reading and books.
As shown by the proven success of our Premier League Reading Stars programme,
using football as a hook to get children to enjoy reading gives them a
significant uplift in reading levels, helping them to succeed at school and gain
vital skills for the future. You can watch exclusive films of Premier League
footballers talking about how much they love reading with their children at:-
PremierLeaguereAdingstars.Org.UK."
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore, said:- "Premier League
Reading Stars is a fantastic example of the work carried out by our clubs and
their Foundations which encourage young people to make positive choices.
Over the last 11 years it has used the power of football, and the popularity of
Premier League clubs and players, to encourage children to enjoy reading, and to
talk about the books they read. The focus of Reading Stars this year; parents
reading to their children; will resonate with many Premier League players and I
wish the project every success."
Premier League Reading Stars is funded by the Premier League.
To take part in the player reading challenges
online. Schools can also sign
up to take part in the programme
online. Plus,
Frank Lampard's live event on World Book Day, organised by Hachette Children's
Group can be viewed
online.
Hard hitting drama project piloted in
Merseyside
25 students and lecturers from Merseyside attended the
inaugural launch of:- 'Justice in a Day' at Liverpool Community College.
'Justice in a Day', which is supported by the ScottishPower Foundation,
is a transformative educational workshop for young people. It aims to deter
young people from committing a crime and teaches them about the devastating
effect it can have on them, their families, their friends and their community.
The interactive sessions explore the causes and consequences of becoming
involved in the criminal justice system through drama and take the high school
students to the Crown Court.
The project, which has now worked with over 3,500 young people in North Wales,
began at the Clywd Theatr Cymru in Mold 5 years ago and has been so successful
in Wales this year it is expanding to England for the first time.
When 'Justice in a Day' began it focussed on peer pressure and underage
drinking, however last year social media bullying was added reflecting current
issues that affect young people.
This year, the workshop covers steroid abuse due to the growing epidemic of
steroid abuse amongst young people in England and Wales.
Last year, Police Raids recovered 248,000 doses of anabolic steroids in England
and Wales while a 2013 Home Office survey reported that an estimated 17,000
people between the ages of 16 to 24 use anabolic steroids.
The drama, performed by professional actors, is deliberately hard hitting and
uncompromising in its approach giving students an opportunity to reflect upon
the impact committing a crime can have. The project is designed to give young
people the opportunity to get involved in a frank and honest discussion in a bid
to deter them from committing a crime.
During the drama workshop the students follow a character called Connor. The
students then watch Connor's life deteriorate as he commits a crime, is arrested
and then imprisoned. The drama invites students to think about the consequences
his crime has on his life; and the negative impact it has on his family,
friends, community and victim. It aims to create a lasting impression on young
people and encourage them to avoid criminal behaviour.
Justice in a Day costs £50 per participant, whereas a year spent in the Youth
Offenders Institute costs around £55,000. Last year, over 87% of young people
that attended the project in North Wales said they felt they had an increased
knowledge of the dangers of drugs, while 61% said they would be less likely to
commit a crime following the performance.
Elaine Bowker, ScottishPower Foundation Trustee and Principal of the City of
Liverpool College said:- "We are delighted to have been given the
opportunity to host the Justice in a Day pilot event in Merseyside and get
involved with an initiative which successfully engages with young people across
the UK. The project is a great example of how partnerships between the arts,
educational institutions, and the private sector can make a real difference to
local communities."
Ann Loughrey, Trustee and Executive Officer at the ScottishPower Foundation,
said:- "The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to improving the lives
of local communities across the UK and highlighting the importance of
citizenship and youth development to children and young people. We
are delighted to sponsor a project like Justice in a Day which is engaging with
students across North Wales and now Liverpool, providing a positive impact on
the lives of the young people. It challenges students to think about real life
situations and shows how destructive committing a crime can be." |
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Key fund invests in social
impact bond to tackle youth homelessness
KEY Fund has invested £150k into a new
Social Impact Bond to help tackle youth homelessness across the North West.
The investment will enable regional charity Local Solutions to engage in a
pay by results contract. Local Solutions has delivered innovative and life
changing services to vulnerable people in North West England and North Wales
since 1974.
The charity has a strong portfolio of accommodation services. It also runs
Domestic Abuse Services, Domiciliary Care, Welfare Rights Advice, BullyBusters,
Carers Support and a Water sports centre. In 2014, they were awarded the Freedom
of the City of Liverpool in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the
City.
Key Fund's investment has allowed Local Solutions to enter a pay-by-results
contract with the Cabinet Office and Department for Communities and Local
Government's £15 million Fair Chance Fund.
This fund has allowed Local Solutions in collaboration with Oakmere Community
College to launch their new initiative called AIMS (accommodation, intense
mentoring and skills).
The AIMS programme will provide support services for vulnerable, homeless young
people aged between 18 to 24 in Liverpool and Knowsley who are not in education,
training or employment and who have had difficulties in getting a hostel place.
AIMS can be accessed via the local accommodation gateway, Mainstay, and or via
the local Housing Options services.
The Fair Chance Fund programme began at the start of the year and will help up
to 2,000 homeless young people over 3 years. Government will track progress
and pay social investors if the programmes succeed in rehousing the young
people, bringing them back into education to gain qualifications, or getting
them to work or volunteer.
Sam Tarff, CEO of Key Fund, said:- "This is part of a real shift in the
way some of our public services are paid for with the government only paying
when outcomes are achieved, encouraging Social Investors such as the Key Fund to
provide the initial up-front risk investment to allow charities and Social
Enterprises to get on with their fantastic work. This transfer of risk allows
for more innovation, driving a focus on really making an impact on
beneficiaries."
Steve Hawkins, CEO at Local Solutions, said:- "We are delighted to have
been selected as one of the providers for the innovative Fair Chance Fund and
welcome this important new resource that will provide support to those young
people who might otherwise be left out. We look forward to strengthening
established links with Liverpool and Knowsley Councils through the delivery of
our new exciting AIMS programme."
Julie Mousley-Dean, Principal and CEO of Oakmere Community College, said:-
"Local Solutions and Oakmere Community College have a very strong record of
helping vulnerable young people to make the most of their potential. The new
AIMS programme will enable us to reach out and support even more young people
for an even longer period of time."
The deal was brokered by the not for profit organisation Social Finance, which
works with government, the social sector and the financial community. Jonathan
Flory, Director at Social Finance said:- "The Fair Chance Fund is an
excellent opportunity for homeless charities to break free of the traditional
constraints and provide individual and tailored support for young people who
lead complex and difficult lives."
With the announcement of the Fair Chance Fund Social Impact Bonds, there are
currently 23 Social Impact Bonds in operation in the UK, with more to be
announced in the coming days.
Women can get fit for free!
ON Sunday, 8 March 2015, is not a day of
rest as the women of Liverpool are going to be encouraged to get active.
Liverpool City Council will be throwing its support behind the national This
Girl Can campaign on Sunday which is International Women's Day. The campaign is
all about celebrating active females and encouraging those who don't do any
activity to try something new.
The most recent Active People Survey revealed that in Liverpool, just 15%of
women take part in sport and active recreation for 30 minutes, 3 times a week.
This is compared to 29% of men; highlighting the considerable gap between the
sexes.
On Sunday, all 10 Lifestyles Centres in the City will give free access to women.
This includes everything from using the gym, swimming pool, hiring courts or
pitches or taking part in an exercise class.
Other organisations will also be offering free access activities including the
Mersey Bowman Tennis Club in Sefton Park which is offering free coaching to any
ability from 12pm to 2pm. Friends of Everton Park, West Everton Community
Council and Shrewsy Youth and Community Club have joined forces and at 1pm will be
organising a 1km run followed by a tug of war competition and a karate
demonstration. Any female interested in taking part should meet in the car park
opposite Prince Edwin Street at 1pm.
From 1.30pm in Paradise Place, Liverpool ONE, there will be taster sessions of
sports such as boxing, netball, hula hooping and jive dancing.
Assistant Mayor and cabinet member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor
Wendy Simon, said:- "Sunday is all about inspiring and encouraging women
to get active; whether it's trying out a brand new activity, or going back to a
sport after some time away from it.
The 'This Girl Can' campaign and International Women's Day are both so empowering; they have really strong and positive messages and we're
delighted that on Sunday so many women in Liverpool will be out in force
celebrating getting active. From hula hooping to taekwondo; there will be a
whole host of special events across the City. And with all our Lifestyles
Centres offering free sessions; there are lots of opportunities for all women to
join in, get active, and have fun at the same time. There are the obvious health
benefits but also there is the social side of taking up a sport, which is hugely
important and can build confidence and generally improve self esteem which is
invaluable."
This Girl Can is a national campaign developed by Sports England.
Jennie Price, Sports England Chief Executive will be in the City on Sunday to
see all the activities 1st hand. "The thing that has struck me most
about the reaction to This Girl Can is the sheer number of women and girls who
have embraced it. Women across England, and around the world, are telling us how
much they welcome the campaign and how it has inspired them to exercise or try a
new sport.
International Women Day is a great opportunity for all of us - regardless of
shape, fitness or ability; to celebrate being active."
The City Council operates ten Lifestyles Centres which are:-
Lifestyles Alsop; Lifestyles Austin Rawlinson; Lifestyles Cardinal Heenan;
Lifestyles Ellergreen; Lifestyles Garston; Lifestyles Everton Park; Lifestyles
Millennium Gym; Lifestyles Aquatics Centre; Lifestyles Park Road and also Lifestyles
Peter Lloyd. If you attended, please let
us know what you think of the events by emailing us to:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
Southport locals strengthen
community with social media
THE fastest growing British social network, Street
Life aims to build stronger communities across the nation and has been
described as "the online equivalent of chatting over the garden fence."
Streetlife users sign up with an email address and post code and are instantly
connected to all other users within their local area; no friends lists or
followers are involved. This gives users a way to share practical advice and
information to an audience within the local community.
To date, conversations on the site have seen locals come together to turn
disused back gardens into community allotments, raise awareness about missing
cats and spread the word about doorstep scammers. "The display of community spirit we've seen has been fantastic.
It's obvious that
there's a real desire among many neighbours in Southport to help one another and
we're delighted to provide an outlet for that" said Nina Whittaker, Streetlife's Head of Communities.
Southport residents can find out more and connect with their local community at:-
StreetLife.com.
How it works:-
► Sign up for free to the site with a postcode and email address.
► Users can post messages, events, polls and pictures.
► Other Streetlife users who live nearby are able to respond.
► Neighbours help one another by sharing knowledge, opinions and advice about the
area.
How it's used:-
► Finding local people with shared interests and passions.
► Lending and giving away belongings to neighbours.
► Organising community events and campaigns.
► Exchanging recommendations for local businesses and tradespeople.
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