There are an estimated 50,000 young people who come from deprived areas of Birmingham. Sport4Life in Ladywood aims to change this by supporting young people who have been living difficult lives at home, or have been unemployed for a long period of time by using the power of sport to bring young people together in their respected communities.
Two brothers, James and Tom Clarke-Forrest, are the managers of the Birmingham project who along with Jon Wilson – the project co-ordinator – are the main employees out of a small group of 8 people, who work at the Sport4Life offices in Ladywood along with 20 volunteers who help with various projects around Birmingham.
I was lucky enough to join the charity as a volunteer for over a month at the Alum Rock project, which was an amazing experience in itself. I really got into the thick of the action as a volunteer who was willing to be interactive with the young people to help them with sporting aspects that would be used in the real world, which would give them a major boost into what the world of work might be like. It was a rewarding feeling knowing that you were responsible for helping that young person’s future out and making them a success.
I hope Sport4Life continues to go from strength-to-strength and gets the funding it needs to continue growing and making its statement as one of the leading youth charities in Birmingham.
