It's the Solidarity That Counts!

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where average household incomes exceed £100,000, may seem a strange place to set up a charity for disadvantaged children. Yet, in the heart of the nation’s wealthiest borough lies Earl's Court, first port of call for many refugee families entering Britain and a neighbourhood bereft of out-of -school activities for children. It is here that the seeds of Solidarity Sports were first planted.

What's up This Weekend?

Solidarity Sports was founded to allow children in Earl’s Court much-needed access to sports on weekends (see interview). Parents were desperate for their children to have something constructive to do during the weekends. 

Our concept for the project was simple:
Children love football, so let's give them football.

The first project consisted of 6 Saturdays: 4 were football sessions at the school playground; the 5th a tour of Chelsea FC stadium and the 6th, a trip to see a live football match. The Octavia Foundation supported our application for a grant from the Scarman Trust, which offers small grants to 'help people start up projects in their communities, particularly in deprived neighbourhoods.' We were awarded £1300!

Learning by Doing

Despite the very positive verbal feedback we had been receiving from the parents, it came as an unpleasant surprise when half our feedback forms were returned blank.  Lunches of sweets, crisps and sugary drinks were also a worry.
The overall success of the project was undeniable, but the lessons we had learned were even greater. How could we find a more effective way of monitoring and evaluating a project? How could we avoid children bringing copious amounts of luminous coloured sweets and other nasties in their lunch boxes?

Hurdling Obstacles

Some families who took part in the projects do not speak English as a first language and in any case every family had sought to avoid filling in the questionnaires. We had to think of an innovative way of capturing their thoughts. Why not film short interviews? It would also allow us to record the atmosphere of the event.
Healthy eating would form an integral part of any future projects. A survey by the Institute of Child Health in 2007 estimated that almost one in four children are overweight or obese by the time they reach the age of three. We wanted to make a long-term difference to children's eating habits, by encouraging them to make it themselves; not just by giving them healthy food.

18 Months Later and the '6 week project' is still Running

We  introduced these two ideas into our next project, Easter Sports Club, and soon, children were preparing their new, healthy foods just like professional chefs! Filming the event made kids visibly proud of being the stars of the show.

It's all About Life!

Whilst filming Easter Sport Club, we realised the extent to which these projects were influencing families' lives. Children bonded, integrated and learnt through playing sports together. Social skills needed for sports are also needed for life:

• Shaking hands at the end of a game shows respect for others
• Delegating roles as team captain improves leadership skills
• Celebrating a goal boosts self-image 
• Learning to lose teaches how to overcome obstacles and confront adversity
• Being part of a team makes us feel empowered

Sport builds the confidence and self-esteem of children who may feel marginalised from mainstream society. Parents met parents and socialised whilst dropping off and picking up kids.  Social attributes learnt through sport are taken into the classroom and have a positive knock-on effect in other aspects of a child's life.

Avocadoes for Easter

Brothers, Yousif (6) and Yasir (8), live in a cramped Earl's Court flat on the 3rd floor. The area seriously lacks provision for children, and mother of four Muaza was delighted to take them to Easter Sports Club, "It's great that the kids can get out and do some exercise, it also gives me a bit of a break!"

To begin with, Yousif was shy and reserved but has come out of his shell during the project.  Muaza explained, "It makes them more confident to meet other children and they love to get involved in making the food." Yousif learnt new skills every day and made a tasty avocado and prawn salad. He said, "I like the avocado because it's good for you and healthy food makes you strong."

The Future's SOLIDARITY

A project entitled 'Food For Thought' is in the works, where children will create their own recipes and learn to cook healthy food from scratch. We are also going to team up with Dad's House, the single fathers’ charity, and offer football clubs to single fathers throughout the capital. We will take our philosophy of 'connecting communities through sport' to developing countries where children do not have the same opportunities as they do in the UK.

For more information, to volunteer, view a film of a project or to donate to Solidarity Sports please visit: www.solidaritysports.org

Solidarity Sports would like to thank the following organizations for their valuable support:
The Octavia Foundation
Notting Hill Housing Trust
Kensington & Chelsea Social Council
St Cuthbert Primary School

Questions to ask yourself before starting up a charity:

• Is there a need in your community for special provision?
• Would you be better off joining an existing charity that reflects your ambitions rather then start one from scratch?
• Do you have a dedicated management committee and at least three trustees?
• Have you contacted your local NAVCA for support and advice on starting up a charity?
• Are you ready to make a long-term commitment to your charity?
• Do you have a clear plan, strategy and vision for your charity?

Interview with Jenny Mercurio, whose children May-Ann and Leonardo have attended Solidarity Sports projects. After seeing the positive influence they had on her children, Jenny decided to find out more about the charity and became a trustee.

Why did you decide to take your children to a Solidarity Sports event?
At the weekends they used to just stay at home watching TV and playing computer games for hours, they needed something active to do. I looked all over the area but the clubs were too expensive or too far. The Saturday club was good because it was close to home and cheap. 

Why did you become a trustee of Solidarity Sports?
I am a teacher's assistant at St Cuthbert Primary School and we welcome many refugee children. Some find it difficult to fit in, but those who go to the Saturday club adapt much quicker then others. It's like just by playing with other children gives them more confidence that then helps them in the classroom. I asked Sean about the charity and told him I wanted to help out. I like to volunteer when I can.

What influence has Solidarity Sports had in your children's lives?
Well, Leo never used to eat fruit or vegetables; it was like he was allergic to them! And the other day, he said, "Mummy, why don't we buy celery?" He tried it at football club and is now more open to trying new foods. With May-Ann, I was a bit worried at the beginning because she was one of the only girls, but she has become so confidant and made so many friends. They are happier now.