Providing opportunities
HR Sports Academy CIC is dedicated to building a brighter future for disadvantaged youths by enhancing the quality of their sporting, educational and work experiences. We provide fun, safe and engaging opportunities to empower children and young people with valuable life skills and the belief that they have what it takes to succeed.
Our provisions include sport in:
- schools,
- evening, weekend and school holiday programmes,
- a football club,
- a youth club,
- tournaments,
- award ceremonies,
- workshops,
- alternative education,
- apprenticeships and work experience placements
We use sport directly and indirectly to create an inspiring space for young people to be around positive role models and develop to their full capacity. Our activities unite individuals from different backgrounds, helping to break down barriers and provide a sense of belonging.
Our Reason to start
Sport played a massive part in keeping me safe, developing my confidence and social skills. However, it was the sudden death of my sister who was born with down's syndrome, the rise in youth crime and cuts to youth services which lead to the formation of HR Sports Academy.
A model that made sense
Becoming a CIC made perfect sense 10 years ago and the model still fits today. I wanted to form a company which benefited my community and pursued a social purpose rather than profits. With the cause being close to my heart, full involvement in running and delivering the business services was essential. Being a CIC has allowed me to be the company director and a paid full-time employee. The structure has also allowed me to access various forms of finance from the Mayor of London, Tottenham Grammar School Foundation, Sports England, BBC Children in Need and Laureus Sport for Good. These grants have enabled us to provide free or heavily subsidised services. But it is the flexibility of the limited company structure that has provided us freedom to generate money and develop a sustainable business.
Our greatest success – the youth we serve
Since our creation we have touched the lives of over 40,000 participants and won many prestigious awards including:
- Social Enterprise of the Year
- Outstanding Contribution to Sport and Physical Activity
Our greatest success stories come from the youth we serve. I started off as the only employee and have employed over 60 people. 70% of our current employees have come through our programmes.
These young people have first-hand knowledge of the benefits of the company and play a key role in developing the younger generation.
We want to continue to ensure young people live healthy and active lives and be the best they can be by providing them with the best resources possible.
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1 comment
Comment by Jo Marr posted on
Great example of the benefits of a grass roots CIC created by someone with the lived experience. Well done to you all and may your great work continue to touch and improve the quality of our youths.