Ledley shows off Skills to Erik!

Erik Lamela visited Bruce Grove Youth Centre to meet participants on Ledley King’s Tottenham Hotspur Foundation project, Skills.

The pair talked to young participants, hearing about the life-changing opportunities delivered to them through Skills, before taking to the sports hall for football and table tennis activities.

Skills, which steers vulnerable young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour and engages them in sport, education and employment pathways, is being rolled-out across a number of key community hubs within the borough of Haringey following its success at making a positive impact on so many young people’s lives.

The Foundation project has been backed by Ledley since it launched in 2012 and has since secured funding from the Premier League and People’s Postcode Lottery to enable the delivery of further sessions within the borough to local residents aged 12-19.

Skills runs every weekday after school hours encouraging young people to try different sports and get help and advice with employment and training opportunities. Foundation coaches deliver a range of inclusive sports sessions from badminton to basketball, as well as delivering workshops designed to support young people who are not in education, employment or training with advice on CV writing and interview techniques.

Speaking at the event, Ledley said: “I’ve been involved with Skills for a number of years and have got to know some of the participants quite well. I’ve seen first-hand the impact that Skills has on young people’s lives so that’s why I’m so pleased to hear that the project has secured funding which will enable even more young people to access Skills.

“The young people were very excited to meet Erik and I know this is a day that will stay with them for many years to come.”

Nikki Kelly, Senior Manager at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: “Thanks to the Premier League and People’s Postcode Lottery, I am pleased to announce that we are rolling out Skills across Haringey.

“Working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions, Haringey Regeneration team and Haringey Youth Service, we will incorporate a comprehensive offer through holiday and daytime provision to positively engage vulnerable young people in education, employment and sport. In-turn, this will help to contribute to the reduction of youth associated crime and anti-social behaviour within our local community.”

Skills now operates at Bruce Grove Youth Centre and the Triangle Centre in Haringey and will be rolled-out to a venue in Muswell Hill over the coming months.

For more information please visit www.tottenhamhotspur.com/foundation.