Local sport in Epsom has been given a major boost following the news that a popular multi use games area is to receive a large cash injection. Barclays Spaces for Sports (BS4S) has awarded a grant worth £15,000, to help ensure the sporting site has a bright future ahead.
The Longmead site, which is located in the second most deprived ward in Surrey, initially received a grant from BS4S of £55,000 towards the construction of a multi use games area (MUGA) as well as a £20,000 Development grant.
This allowed popular sessions to run at the site, most notably the Fulham FC Foundation programme Longmeadz Kickn, however sourcing and retaining volunteers from the surrounding estate to continue the sessions proved a challenge and all activities except Kickn were forced to stop.
The extra funding that Longmead has received is just one example of how Barclays Spaces for Sports is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring the facilities it puts in place are sustainable. Since launching the UK programme in 2004 in partnership with the Football Foundation, the BS4S programme has benefitted more than half a million people in socially deprived regions.
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council plan to provide regular football sessions for adults, improve opportunities for leadership and training, and also engage more girls into physical activity.
Increased employability and volunteer opportunities will be available and the site hopes to be more sustainable through the development of a pool of volunteers using referrals from local schools, further education colleges and Job Centres.
With the 2012 Olympics just around the corner, BS4S is committed to contributing to the Olympic Legacy by maintaining their 200 multi-sport sites around the country such as the facility in Epsom. The partnership between Barclays and the Football Foundation sees one of the largest corporate banks in the world joining forces with one of the leading sports charities to help provide opportunities for communities to engage, learn and develop through sport.
Nicola Gray, Community Sports Development Officer of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said: “Over the last five years, Barclays Spaces for Sports has been supporting our programmes which has enabled us to run projects for hard to reach groups and make sport accessible.
“The new grant will enable us to extend the range of provision at the Longmead MUGA, offer training and vocational programmes for young people and encourage community development”.
Kirk Harrison, head of Barclays Spaces for Sports added: “A vital part of Barclays Spaces for Sports is our commitment to deliver a lasting legacy to communities through the use of our sites. We’ve been working closely with the Football Foundation throughout the programme to achieve this and the additional funding Longmead have received is an example of our commitment to our projects and the local communities.”
