Timo inspires local school students

Timo Werner joined 60 local school students at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as they celebrated completing the Premier League Inspires personal development programme this week.

Premier League Inspires was launched in 2019 to empower students at risk of not meeting their potential through a series of regular face-to-face group sessions, mentoring, workshops and social action projects.

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has delivered the programme to 673 young people who have benefited from 4,665 hours of targeted support, across 29 schools.

Students who have taken part most recently and visited the Stadium on Tuesday came from Holy Family Catholic School, Duke’s Aldridge Academy, Harris Academy Tottenham, Laurel Park School and St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls.

They did a stadium tour, enjoyed workshops on first aid and the impact of social media – for which some students were joined and supported in doing by youth players Timi Adekunle and James Rowswell – before finishing the day with a surprise visit from Timo.

Our German international took part in a Q&A on building resilience and overcoming challenges, posed for photos and gave out signed Spurs caps.

Timo said: "The Foundation does a great job with these kids. I liked talking to them, sharing emotions I feel on the field and what I’ve learnt in my career. I’m 28 now, so there have been a lot of ups and downs, and I think it’s good to share with people of this age who have their whole lives in front of them.

"We talked a lot about being positive, enjoying life, being yourself and looking after yourself. I met some of the kids when I gave out hats and they were happy to be here. I hope they’ve learnt something from what I was able to share and that they’ll never forget this day."

Loren Ennis, Harris Academy Tottenham librarian, said: "I get to see the Premier League Inspires programme happening in the library and it’s vital for students.

"They have such bright minds, but then because of the areas they live in they don’t necessarily get opportunities to utilise them.

"The programme broadens their horizons and helps them focus on what they want to do in future. Having the Foundation coming to the school and providing this chance to visit the Stadium is really helpful in letting them know there are opportunities here in the local community."

The first aid session was delivered by Direct Action Training, whilst Impressionable Minds delivered the impact of social media workshop. There was also a short talk by the Christoforos Charity Foundation that educates young people on safe use of the Internet.

Premier League Inspires is funded by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association through the Premier League Charitable Fund.