Communities

PL Inspires celebrates impact of social-action projects

2 Jul 2021

Participants on Premier League programme are honoured for their ideas to help mental wellbeing of others

Over the last 12 months, young people from across England and Wales have been developing ideas to help the mental health of others as part of the Premier League Inspires Challenge.

And all of their hard work was celebrated last week at a special event hosted by radio and TV broadcaster Lauren Layfield and filmed at Premier League Productions in London.

Thanks @premierleague for having me host your Inspires Challenge Celebration event - we went live into schools across the UK to talk football, mental health and social action. Another reason why football is GREAT. #PLInspires @PLCommunities pic.twitter.com/DVSgx9M0Nl
— Lauren Layfield (@LaurenLayfield) July 1, 2021

The event showcased the 31 clubs involved in the PL Inspires Challenge, which tasked young people with devising and delivering social-action projects in their local communities.

We're so proud of our #PLInspires pupils @MichaelsVeritas for their Social Action project - coaching youngsters at Meriden Community Centre - as you can see below the sessions went down well!

Today they join @PLCommunities & other clubs for a celebration!#WatfordFC #iwill pic.twitter.com/CTYLYX7FR3
— Watford FC CSE Trust (@WFCTrust) July 1, 2021

Each team produced videos highlighting their projects which were shown to the invited audience, while former Premier League striker Dion Dublin and referee Rebecca Welch, the first female official to be added to the English Football League's national group, recorded thank you messages to the participants.

An inspiring day at @CardiffCityStad for our #PLInspires participants from @StIlltydsCHS🙌

Thank you for your hard work in creating a social action project that supports others’ wellbeing👏#OurClubChangesLives💙 pic.twitter.com/bqGvu2bbZr
— Cardiff City FC Foundation (@CCFC_Foundation) July 1, 2021

"I have been hearing about all of the incredible work you have been doing alongside the PL and your local football clubs, keep it up," Dublin said.

"A massive congratulations to you all for your commitment. You've been working in teams, you've been helping out your local communities - it does make a difference. You should be very proud of yourselves."

Well done to our #PLInspires participants at @EnfieldGrammar for all their hard work in creating a social action project that supports others’ positive mental wellbeing@PLCommunities #COYS pic.twitter.com/eYXlgY1jWf
— Tottenham Hotspur Foundation (@SpursFoundation) July 1, 2021

The Challenge supports the #iwill campaign, which aims to make social action part of life for 10-20 year-olds, and #iwill ambassador Jonelle Awomoyi was in the studio to talk about the Challenge.

Well done to students @Official_BSCA who are our nominated finalists for this year’s #PLInspires Challenge 👏

The young people hosted a ⚽ tournament to raise funds for the @IslaStones project, decorating stones of their own to place in the community and spread positivity 🎨 😊 pic.twitter.com/W3FLFhnEc4
— Manchester United Foundation (@MU_Foundation) July 1, 2021

Layfield also joined Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders and clinical psychologist Dr Hazel Harrison in talking about mental wellbeing and the importance of opening up to others if you are struggling.

Helping to inspire

The Challenge is one part of the Premier League Inspires programme, which uses the power of football to inspire young people to develop the personal skills and positive attitudes to succeed in life.

The programme involves club coaches going into local schools to give face-to-face or online sessions to students who have been identified by their schools as needing extra help to get them engaged.

You can find out more about some of the young people that have been helped by the programme by reading their stories below.