Citizen Local Fund Helps Local Children Reach Their Goals

More than 30 local children have benefited from free specialist goalkeeping coaching thanks to support from the Citizen Local Fund.

For the past nine years, the charity has been providing opportunities for young people to develop their football skills, build confidence and enjoy being part of a team. However, much of the equipment used during sessions had reached the end of its life and needed replacing.

Thanks to funding from Citizen, the charity has been able to purchase new, modern equipment, helping to create a better experience for every child who attends.

More Than Just Football

The coaching sessions gave boys and girls access to training that many families would otherwise find difficult to afford. Specialist goalkeeper coaching can be expensive, meaning some children may never get the chance to take part.

By removing this barrier, the project has opened doors for local young people, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, stay active and grow in confidence.

The impact has gone far beyond improving football ability. Coaches have seen children become more confident, communicate better and work more effectively as a team.

"It's fantastic to see children grow in confidence each week. The new equipment has made a huge difference to the quality of the sessions and the experience for everyone involved."

Creating Opportunities for Local Children

For many of the children who attended, the camps provided an opportunity they may not otherwise have had.

Parents have shared positive feedback about the project, highlighting the value of being able to access high-quality coaching free of charge.

"Without opportunities like this, some children would miss out. The camps have given young people the chance to learn, develop and enjoy themselves in a supportive environment."

Building a Lasting Legacy

The new equipment will help make the coaching camps sustainable for years to come, allowing the charity to continue supporting children across the community.

The organisation's ambition is simple: to keep providing free camps and coaching opportunities for children who might not otherwise have access to them, ensuring that every child has the chance to take part, develop their skills and feel included.

How Citizen's Funding Helped

The Citizen Local Fund made it possible to replace equipment that had served the charity for many years. What may seem like a simple investment has had a lasting impact, helping to secure the future of the sessions and ensuring more children can benefit in the years ahead.

This project is a great example of how Citizen funding can support local organisations to make a real difference, creating opportunities for young people, strengthening communities and helping residents thrive. 💙

Canley Summer Sports Club Brings Fun, Fitness and Friendship to Local Children

Around 20 to 24 children joined the Canley Summer Sports Club every day during the school holidays thanks to support from the Citizen Local Fund.

The club gave local children the chance to stay active, try new sports and have fun with friends. It also provided a safe place where children could build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy being part of a team.

Because the sessions were free, every child had the chance to take part and enjoy a fun-filled summer.

More Than Just Sport

The Summer Sports Club was about much more than playing games.

Children were encouraged to share their ideas and help choose some of the activities. This helped them feel included and gave them a chance to have their voices heard.

One child said:

"I liked that we could choose some of the games. It made me feel like my ideas mattered."

The club also helped children make new friends and feel more confident.

Another child said:

"I made new friends and everyone was kind to me."

By taking part in sports and team activities, children learned how to work together, support each other and have fun.

Creating Opportunities for Local Children

The club gave local children the chance to enjoy activities they may not normally have access to during the school holidays.

Parents told us they saw positive changes in their children, including improved confidence, happiness and wellbeing.

One parent said their child came home every day:

"Happy, confident and excited to come back the next morning."

For many children, the club provided an exciting place to be active, make friends and enjoy a healthy summer.

Building a Lasting Legacy

The project helped bring children and families together from across the Canley community.

Local organisations helped spread the word about the club, making sure more families knew about the opportunity.

Children enjoyed meeting others from different parts of the community and learning more about where they live.

One child said:

"Canley is a nice place because everyone helps each other."

Another added:

"The best thing was playing with children from different parts of the community."

The friendships, confidence and skills gained during the club will continue long after the summer holidays have ended.

How Citizen's Funding Helped

Funding from the Citizen Local Fund paid for coaching, venue hire, sports equipment and healthy snacks.

This meant the activities could be offered free of charge, making it easier for families to get involved.

One child said:

"The sports equipment was amazing. We got to try things we don't usually have."

The project team also found the funding process easy to manage and appreciated the support they received throughout the project.

The Summer Sports Club gave local children a place to have fun, stay active and feel part of their community.

As one child summed it up:

"This club made my summer better. I had fun, got active and made lots of friends."

This project shows how Citizen funding can help local organisations create amazing opportunities for children, bring communities together and help young people thrive. 💙