Our 2022 programme is well under way with the ACCF team delivering a range of inspirational experiences to improve educational, health and social outcomes for young people impacted by disadvantage, inequality or disability.
Through April and May our programmes have focused largely on supporting local children and their families, including some of the most vulnerable children in West Sussex. From June we will resume our programmes to support young people from deprived and challenging areas of Inner London and our SEND programme for children with special educational needs and disabilities will remain a key area of focus throughout the year.
Our first groups of this year have included:
MCC Foundation
The 13th April provided the curtain raiser for the outdoor season. Working in collaboration with the MCC Foundation we were delighted to welcome children from MCCF’s East London Hubs for an exciting cricket tournament followed by woodland & den building activities. Some of the children had never been out of the city and for many it was their first experience of playing a cricket match outdoors. Watch this short MCC Foundation film to see the impact of the day on the young people who visited us: MCCF Arundel Tournament 2022
Bohunt Education Trust
We have welcomed back Bohunt Education Trust (BET) to begin a series of visits to support over 230 students from the BET family of schools. The programme enables students who are struggling with disadvantage, anxiety, engagement and/or behaviour at secondary school to develop skills in resilience and self-confidence through cricket and the outdoors.
Children outside of mainstream education
We continue to support some of the most vulnerable children in our local community by providing a series of experiences including a four week programme for 80 young people from West Sussex Alternative Provision College, all of whom have been excluded from mainstream education. We have also delivered a a series of visits over multi-week programmes for groups of children from MyChoice, a school committed to increasing access to education for children in care and Amicus, a school which provides education to vulnerable and traumatised children.
Family Support Work (FSW)
Sussex families supported by Family Support Work joined us for a fun day of cricket & forest school activities through a partnership developed at the height of the pandemic and which continues by running 3 days a year. Family Support Work help families in need to overcome their difficulties and prevent crisis. We have received some wonderful feedback from the families who joined us and look forward to welcoming them back for more Arundel activity days this summer.
“It was my daughter’s first time and we loved it – she got stuck in with all the activities and throughly enjoyed it – she commented on how fascinated she was to learn how to play cricket and loved the den building – thank you for including us.”
“We had an amazing day as a family. We had fun and could forget our worries for the day. Thank you so much.”
Parents supported by Family Support Work
SEND schools
Our SEND project, supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities, has returned with an inspiring first visit from Garston Manor School who joined us for a three day residential including cricket, bushcraft activities and castle visits. Teaching staff observed the positive impact of the programme on the mental health of the young people who took part, very much reflected in some poignant feedback received from the Headteacher of the school.
“Many thanks for choosing our school to come and share the beauty that is Arundel and to enjoy learning some cricketing skills. The last few days have been really lovely – some of these children are currently seeing NHS Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services, some expressing suicidal ideation, some with other mental health issues. The chance to be here, in serene and green grounds with lots of fresh air and exercise has visibly reduced many anxieties and given respite to their families. Thank you.”
Christine deGraft-Hanson, Headteacher
Looking ahead
Over the next six months we will bring more young people from different backgrounds and impacted by different issues to visit Arundel. Tackling inequality and facilitating social mobility is central to our programme and this year over 1400 young people will visit us to take part in a unique and inspirational Arundel experience.
Keep an eye on our social media for announcements and updates on our latest programmes and the young people we are working with. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
