Djed and Hayley support Foundation’s football session for children with additional needs

Djed Spence and Hayley Raso dropped by a local school today and saw why Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s specially adapted football sessions for children with additional needs are up for an award later this week.

The Foundation was delivering its Fair Play Football provision at Vale School, co-located with Duke’s Aldridge Academy next door to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as part of a project it partners on with Open Door, deep:black and the NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board.

Through the partnership, a unique combination of psychotherapy, sport and art is delivered to improve the lives of vulnerable young people in Haringey.

Hayley shared how her brother Jordan has a disability, making today’s session all the more special.

She said: “The kids welcomed me from the moment I got to the school. They were all so enthusiastic, so excited, and it was very nice to be a part of.

“I feel blessed to have Jordan as my brother. For me, when I’m able to come down to a school like this and see children playing football and handball, and doing things that make them happy, that's what I think about with my brother – he is just doing things that make him happy.”

Djed said: “It was nice to meet all the kids, play some games and see smiles on their faces. These sessions are important to give these children the best opportunity to learn.”

Atilla, in Year 8, said: “It was a lot of fun today and the players coming in was so exciting. I scored four goals, so I really enjoyed it!”

Josh, in Year 10, added: “I really enjoy the opportunity to play together as a team. It was a great experience to have the players join us.”

Dawn Woodcock, Vale School headteacher, said: “The sessions look quite different to mainstream PE provision. The Foundation understands our cohort of children and their needs, and the children love it.

“It’s really important for their physical development plus there’s all the learning that’s done through playing games. Lessons can be challenging for our children sometimes, but the Foundation coaches use their specialist skills to make PE sessions enjoyable, and allow them to let off steam in a different way.”

John Abel, Foundation programme coordinator, said: “We’ve been delivering these sessions for years and continually develop the ways we can adapt football and a range of other sports to suit the various needs of those we support.

“Equity and inclusion is our guiding principle at the Foundation, and we’re all about creating an environment of fun at these sessions – Hayley and Djed coming down definitely added to that today.”

The project through which Fair Play Football is delivered is a finalist in the Health Service Journal Awards, in the category of reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people. The awards take place at Evolution London in Battersea Park on Thursday.