Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from Jasmine Craft, Employability Manager representing Lincoln City Foundation within which she:
a) confirmed that Lincoln City Foundation was a charity linked with Lincoln City Football Club and the 2020-2025 strategy had been launched a couple of months ago creating a networking event which included: NCS, Premier League Kicks, Traineeships, Twinning Project and Secondary School Port Vale Twinning Project
b) highlighted that the charity had secured a contract for the NCS programme including provision for 330 places for summer 2022 and were in the planning stages for delivery including bespoke school and college models. She added that consideration was especially given to SEND schools including St. Christopher’s and St. Francis. The Changemakers group was full of many young people passionate about the local community and consisted of 18 individuals, 4-5 that attend every session
c) advised that the Premier League Kicks Programme worked with local schools/organisations to deliver activities and sessions within the Sincil Bank area specifically youth clubs at the LNER Stadium
d) outlined that the organisation had recently delivered their first 12-week traineeship in 2021. This programme specialised in supporting young people to attain Functional Skills in English & Maths and to enable them to gain an employability qualification also. Work placements were included and covered employability sessions. She added that there were 3 cohorts planned for next year and that the 19–24-year bracket would go straight into local businesses to do their work experience
e) advised that the Twinning Project was delivered at HMP Lincoln and three cohorts had been delivered so far
f) reported that the Port Vale Twinning Project had begun delivery in Priory Acadamies and was focussed on Year 8 – Year 10 to support those age groups in an attempt to make a decision regarding what they wanted to do. In addition, targeting young people who had consistent poor behaviour and/or attendance.This was a football-based programme and delivery was up to six weeks
g) highlighted that the Planet Super League was a place for fans of all ages to learn about climate action and how to cut their emissions at home, at school or at work. Activities on this programme included litter picking, walked ten kilometres and sharing a video to encourage others to support climate change. She added that the Planet Super League worked with 49 football clubs and Lincoln City Football Club planted 962 trees across the league they took part in.
h) added that the youth aim was to allow young people’s voices to be heard and created an environment where they had the ability to make important changes within their communities
i) invited questions and comments from members of the Committee
As a result of discussion between members, officers and guest speakers, the following points were made: -
· The Chair gave sincere thanks to Jasmine Craft for the inspiring presentation and expressed her gratitude for the work that the Lincoln City Foundation were carrying out.
· Members commented that as a Council we were aware that money had been invested and it was pleasing to see achievement in the area.
· Clarification was given to members that initially, the Lincoln City Foundation had been a Lincoln based project. However, as part of Project 2025, expansion is planned to cover every single young person in Lincolnshire. She added that the Foundation had projects in Boston and desired to expand to Skegness. By continuation of networking and the building of positive relationship, the Foundation hoped to expand within the next five years.
· Andy Chisholm, representing Ambition Lincoln expressed his gratitude for the work carried out by the Foundation and advised that it covered a great deal more than only schools but it was not well known about.
· Members echoed comments regarding lack of knowledge of the Foundation and felt the profile needed to be raised as the work was invaluable in supporting children who otherwise may fall between the gaps.
· Some of the children had to sign a contract regarding their behaviour and coupled with a thorough process to get in, it was felt this worked well with consideration given to how it could be expended further.
· The Chair concluded discussions and comments by reiterating her thanks for the work carried out by the Foundation.