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THE GFT SUPPORTS POOLE SHINE PROJECTS

From left Tyler, Dan and Richard with the students

Poole Town FC’s Kids Initiative, with the financial support of local charity The Gale Foundation Trust, were delighted to be asked once more for assistance from the Shine Project which is a Dorset charity committed to supporting young people, aged 11 – 15, improve their physical and mental health. The Shine Project partners with schools, youth clubs and other charities to offer a choice of well-being courses. The main courses for schools are split into 2.

The Shine Course has been developed for those that identify as female/non-binary whilst the Thrive Course is for those identifying as male/non-binary. These early intervention, 7-8 week, courses consist of small groups exploring subjects closely related to their physical and mental health.

Just before the half-term break, Poole Town FC director Richard Gale and Dan Neville of Champion Sports Group, PTFC’s coaching partners joined a Thrive class being held at St Aldhelms school in Parkstone which was, that week, addressing physical fitness and healthy eating. They were joined by British Virgin Island’s international, and Poole Town U23 striker, Tyler Forbes. Dan, a former Poole Town player and AFC Bournemouth coach, is also the current head coach of the British Virgin Island’s football team. Together they were ideal people to give the attendees good advice and encouragement about the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. The session ended with Tyler taking the group through some good stretching and exercising routines.

The Shine Project courses have proved to be extremely popular and the charity has now worked with 23 schools locally. The Kids Initiative is keen to continue to support these sessions, especially for schools in the Poole area, many of whom it already helps through its Schools Program.

Richard Gale, Chair of Trustees, commented “We are delighted to confirm that we have agreed with the Shine project to contribute £1,000 a term towards the cost of each Thrive/Shine project which is held in schools in the Poole area. We see these early intervention courses as being a really effective way to help teenagers who may be going through a very difficult time in their lives”.

For more information about The Shine Project visit https://www.shineproject.org.uk/about