Our year 10 boys football team have begun the Inspired Youth Programme delivered by Ruth, Youth Engagement Coordinator at the West Ham Foundation. This ten-week programme will develop our learners’ emotional resilience and wellbeing, helping them to bond as a team. 

West Ham foundation have developed a strong relationship with LDE, supporting our learners across the college with various valuable Employer Engagement activities. They also support local charities, good causes and social support programmes and have been doing so for over 30 years. 

The aims of these sessions are to improve physical and mental wellbeing, develop skills and knowledge, improve confidence and self-esteem, as well as exploring sporting related pathways. 

By the end of the course learners will have covered the following topics: Communication, Control, Getting Support, Perspective, Relationships, Resilience, Respect and Code of Conduct, Teamwork.  

‘I think the sessions have been really helpful and have made the team better at communication. My favourite activity was learning sign language because I’ve never had the opportunity to do that before,’ Adrijus year 10 learner and vice-captain of the football team.  

Learners will also be awarded a course completion certificate, have access to further West Ham Foundation opportunities and have something valuable to include in future personal statements, CVs or other applications.  

As well as gaining confidence in themselves, enjoying interactive sessions and learning what it means to be a part of a team, our learners are also acquiring experiences that can set them apart from others when pursuing their vocational and educational aspirations.  

Thanks to Ruth and the West Ham Foundation for their continued support and dedication to the development of our learners. 

'The sessions have been going really well with our year 10 learners. The skills they are gaining go beyond sport and will benefit our learners’ future aspirations as well as building stronger bonds with their local community. I am so grateful to the West Ham Foundation for investing in our young people, every week the learners are engaged and excited for Ruth’s session.’ Abdoulaye, Assistant Head of Year.