Education Minister visits Summer of Spurs to see how Foundation provides vital support for local families

Education Minister Stephen Morgan MP hailed Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s vital support for local families during a visit to its Summer of Spurs programme.

Throughout the school holidays, our Foundation delivers multi-sports camps, football tournaments, coaching courses and other special events on a daily basis across the local area.

As part of these, it hosts children supported by Haringey Council’s holiday activities and food (HAF) programme, designed for the 26% of pupils in the borough eligible for free school meals to access free activities and food during holidays.

This week, at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, next to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Minister observed small-sided football matches, flag football activities and football drills run by recent graduates of the Foundation’s Spurred 2 Coach programme.

He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have been here and seen the brilliant work the Foundation’s doing to support children to achieve and thrive.

“The sessions delivered by brilliant coaches goes to show the value of the HAF programme in unlocking much-needed opportunities whilst putting pounds back in parents’ pockets.”

Marc Leckie, Foundation chief executive, said: “It’s been great to showcase the significant positive impact our Summer of Spurs programme has on hundreds of young people in our local community and across what are some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.

“Our activities help children stay active, learn and have fun, and are essential in supporting their development during the school holidays, as well as providing much-needed assistance for their families.

“There’s no better tool for engagement than football and, around Haringey, Enfield and surrounding boroughs, the iconic brand of Spurs.

“As the Club’s Foundation, we’re committed to creating opportunities that promote physical and mental wellbeing for young people, and help build safer, stronger communities.”

Among parents of some 200 children supported through the HAF programme and who are benefiting from the Foundation’s activities this summer is Shanicka Dixon, mum to 10-year-old Kyra. Shanicka also has a younger brother, J’Andre, attending the camps.

She said: “As a young mother, with a 10-year-old and a baby, it’s hard. I know my daughter would love to go on a holiday like all her friends, but at the moment I can’t afford it, so I’m happy the camps stop her being bored, giving her a place to play and meet new friends.

“J’Andre was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and my mother isn’t 100% well, so I have to help her out a lot and for him to go to the camps helps us out big time.

“Kyra is talking to people more from going to the camps plus she says she’s losing weight, so she’s happy. J’Andre is a bit calmer. Kids in general want to eat a lot when they’re at home, so for them to get lunch and snacks at the camps is really helpful. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without these activities.”

Cllr Zena Brabazon, cabinet member for children, schools and families, said: “It was a pleasure to showcase the incredible work happening on the ground. We were delighted to welcome the Minister to witness our HAF programme for himself and to see the benefit to young people.

“Partnering with the Foundation and our wider network of stakeholders has been absolutely vital in delivering the highest standard of support to our community – offering inclusive, top-quality activities and meals that make a real difference.

“This programme is about engaging children and young people, giving them space to thrive, stay active, build friendships and enjoy nutritious food.

“The visit was a powerful reminder of the impact we’re making and I’m proud of the partnership that’s helping our young people flourish.”

The Foundation is able to lay on its activities to all local children for free thanks to the support of many generous funders, the biggest of those being the Premier League through its Premier League Charitable Fund.

Nick Perchard, Premier League community director, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the Minister to see the inspirational difference Tottenham Hotspur Foundation is making in their local community with this project.

“Working closely with clubs and their community organisations, we’re proud to complement investment from the likes of Haringey Council by providing funding for a range of projects that provide safe, engaging environments that promote wellbeing, education and opportunities for young people.”

The camp also included participants in Foundation football sessions run as part of the My Ends consortium that makes up the Home Cooked violence reduction programme, funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit.

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