Geoff Thompson, Executive Chair MBE, FRSA, DL at The Youth Charter speaks passionately to a packed house at the Why Sports Getting Wales Moving Conference 2019.
The bidding, hosting and legacy of major games that have reflected Britain’s collective efforts over the past 40 years leading up to and including the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the on-going pledge and commitment to “inspiring a generation”.
For 26 years of those 40 years, the Olympic ideals and solidarity that have now seen the establishment of the Sport for Development and Peace movement and its ability to provide hope and opportunity to young people with limited life chances, a sporting, cultural and artistic ability to develop and achieve in life.
The Youth Charter journey began with the tragic loss of a 14 year old school boy in Moss Side, Manchester when Manchester was aiming to bring the 2000 Games to Britain. Its mission aim was to provide young people with an opportunity through sport to develop in life. The agency campaigns, advocates and lobbies, along with its think tank research, projects, programmes and initiatives a continued commitment with its three main aims to:
This presentation reflects the past, present and future challenges in providing a ‘legacy opportunity for all’.
Engage young people through sport, art, cultural and digital activity
Equip them with the mental and emotional resilience and life skills
Empower them with the aspiration of further and higher education, employment and entrepreneurship.
Over many of the years of the agency’s work, the challenges of the lack of long-term investment in young people and communities through respective governments has now seen the mental, physical and emotional lifestyle benefits see growing disaffection, disillusionment and disadvantage, educational non-attainment, anti social behaviour, gang related activity and even extremism.
Despite this fact, there is fantastic work taking place in our communities, inner city, suburban and rural, local, nationally and internationally.
The Youth Charter’s ‘Call to Action’ now reflects two Olympic cycles with three themes of”
Somewhere to go
Something to do
Someone to show them
This is done through our Community Campus project and Social Coach Leadership Programme.