News Archives

Tees Better Future Fund Pledges £5,000 to Petals Charity, Offering Hope in the Face of Loss

Posted on 2 February 202429 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

The Tees Better Future Fund is pleased to announce Petals, the baby loss counselling charity, as a recipient of a £5,000 grant. This grant signifies a beacon of support for families navigating the heart-wrenching journey of pregnancy and baby loss.

Petals believe that every bereaved parent should have seamless and timely access to specialised mental health support in the aftermath of losing a pregnancy or baby during or shortly after birth. The devastation of pregnancy and baby loss can affect anyone and everyone, a form of bereavement that has not always been fully understood or acknowledged despite its profound, lifelong impact on parents.

NHS offerings often fall short in providing routine psychological support after such losses, so Petals steps in to help parents process their shock and trauma. The grant from the Tees Better Future Fund will further empower Petals to provide vital psychological support for 10 bereaved families in and around Chelmsford.

“At a time when demand for our specialist counselling service has never been so high, support such as this from the Tees Better Future Fund is key to enabling us to be there for more bereaved parents when they need us the most. We are delighted that thanks to this support we will be able to provide our vital service to more bereaved parents in the Chelmsford area in 2024.

Our clients tell us time and time again that our support has been life-changing, even lifesaving and having to turn anyone away goes against everything we stand for. We rely on charitable funding to extend this support to bereaved parents, no matter what type of loss they have experienced and all of us at Petals would like to send our thanks to the Tees Better Future Fund for this incredibly generous donation in support of our work.” Commented Karen Burgess, Petals Founder & CEO.

In 2022 alone, Petals delivered over 5,400 counselling sessions, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. The Tees Better Future Fund grant will contribute to ensuring that no bereaved parent is turned away, especially those whose requests for counselling exceed the capacity of current NHS partners.

The unique Petals counselling model is tailored to address the specific needs of parents experiencing mental health challenges following devastating events such as miscarriage, stillbirth, the death of a baby, or the termination of a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons.

Grief following pregnancy and baby loss is a complex and all-encompassing emotional distress that can lead to serious mental health issues if left unattended. Petals recognise the normalcy of reactions such as grief, anxiety, depression, and PTSD and strive to create a safe space for parents to process their pain and move toward reconciliation and hope for the future.

“Ensuring that bereaved parents receive the essential mental health support they need after the loss of a pregnancy, or the death of a baby is a cause close to our hearts. Unfortunately, such vital assistance is not readily available within the NHS. We are thrilled to share the news that, through a grant from Tees Better Future Fund grant, we can partner with Petals, the baby loss counselling charity.

This funding will specifically provide specialist psychological support to 10 families whose maternity care fell under the Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. Without this lifeline, these families would otherwise be left to navigate the challenging journey of grief in solitude. Our contribution aims to ensure that no parent facing such heartbreak walks alone on this difficult path.” Commented Janine Collier, Co-chair of the Tees Better Future Fund.

Petals collaborates with the Maternal Mental Health Service (MMHS), bereavement midwives, and mental health teams to ensure their unique counselling model reaches those who need it most. The charity’s dedication to breaking down the barriers surrounding baby loss is evident in its collaboration with other well-known charities such as Teddy’s Wish and Cosmic Charity.

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and Petals understands that not all clients may progress through their model in a standard number of sessions. However, thanks to the Tees Better Future Fund grant, Petals can extend its support to grieving parents who might otherwise not receive any assistance, particularly those based in and around Chelmsford and receiving healthcare at Broomfield.

The Tees Better Future Fund is proud to stand alongside Petals as they continue their invaluable work, offering solace and support to bereaved parents in the Chelmsford community and beyond.

Tees Better Future Fund empowers Cambridge Acorn Project with £5,000 grant to extend trauma-informed support

Posted on 10 January 202429 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

The Tees Better Future Fund proudly announces its latest triumph in fostering positive change within communities, as it awards a £5,000 grant to Cambridge Acorn Project. Selected as one of four recipients in the recent round of applications, the Cambridgeshire-based charity is set to make a profound impact on the lives of children and families facing trauma, abuse, or emotional distress.

Cambridge Acorn Project stands as a beacon of hope, dedicated to alleviating the inequalities experienced by families across Cambridgeshire. With a therapeutic model of social work, the charity extends its support to children, young people, and families who have endured trauma while navigating the challenges of poverty.

“We’re delighted to have been awarded funding from Tees’ Better Future Fund. This money is vital to extending our services in Cambridge and ensuring more children and families can access our support. With Cambridge being one of the most unequal cities in the UK it is imperative that we can embed our services in local communities to ensure quick and easy access to therapeutic support for children and families who have experienced trauma and abuse.”

The demand for their services has surged as an increasing number of children and families find it challenging to access support from existing channels, particularly around mental health services. In response to this pressing need, the Cambridge Acorn Project is expanding its reach by establishing a new satellite hub in the King’s Hedges ward, complementing the success of their existing Cambridge Drop-In Hub in Abbey Ward.

The King’s Hedges area of Cambridge is amongst the 20-30% most deprived in the UK, underscoring the pervasive deprivation prevalent within the city. The extended satellite provision aims to make therapeutic support easily accessible to more children and families, allowing them to drop into their local wellbeing hub without the need for a professional referral. This innovative approach is rooted in person-centred service delivery, ensuring that support is delivered in a manner that aligns with their needs and preferences.

“Cambridge Acorn Project is truly inspirational – tirelessly dedicating itself to delivering comprehensive, trauma-informed therapeutic and structural support to children and families navigating trauma and poverty. Having collaborated closely with CAP over the past year, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of their work and the urgent and increased demand for CAP’s services. The forthcoming expansion through a new satellite hub in King’s Hedges is a beacon of hope, ensuring that more children and families can readily access the vital support they deserve. We are delighted to stand in partnership with Cambridge Acorn Project as they continue their mission to alleviate the suffering of children and their families, making a lasting difference in our community.” Commented Janine Collier, Co-Chair of the Tees Better Future Fund.

Trained, registered therapists, social workers, caseworkers, and assessment practitioners, along with supervised peer-support volunteers, will form a dedicated team providing a range of services through the new satellite hub. From enrichment support for children to family support fostering safe homes, the hub will serve as a comprehensive resource hub offering planning support, casework support, and a referral pathway to the legal clinic delivered in partnership with Tees.

To open this new satellite hub one morning per week in term time, the Cambridge Acorn Project will also need to increase staffing around the satellite hub to ensure they can undertake outreach hub services and also undertake follow-up work generated from contacts at the hub.

“The additional staff capacity will not only enhance our ability to provide personalised therapeutic support to children and families but also strengthen our collaborations with schools, businesses, and voluntary partners. Together, we can create a network of support that has the potential to support emotional recovery for children and families post-trauma,” emphasised Hannah Chapman, Cambridge Acorn Project’s Charity Manager.

As an example of the transformative nature of their work, a parent who has recently accessed the existing hub explained: “This service has saved my sanity and given us hope for the future. I don’t know what would have happened without the understanding, support, and encouragement I’ve gained”.

The Tees Better Future Fund and the Cambridge Acorn Project are united in their mission to create a better future for children and families facing adversity. This grant represents a shared commitment to building resilient communities where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Tees Better Future Fund boosts Enterprise East Group’s social impact in Saffron Walden

Posted on 19 December 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

The Tees Better Future Fund proudly announces its latest round of grants, with Enterprise East Group emerging as one of the recipients. This grant will propel the impactful work of Enterprise East Group, a Saffron Walden-based community interest company committed to combating social isolation and employment barriers for over six years.

Dedicated to the fundamental belief that everyone possesses unique talents and potential, Enterprise East Group focuses on uplifting individuals on the margins of society. Their mission revolves around fostering community integration and creating accessible pathways to employment for those facing diverse challenges, including learning and physical disabilities, mental health issues, ex-offenders, addiction recovery, care leavers, homelessness, and low-income families.

Having already positively impacted the lives of over 8000 individuals, Enterprise East Group continues to grow its reach daily.

The Tees Better Future Fund grant will specifically support a new educational collaboration between Enterprise East Group’s community café, Café Cornell, and the local Dig-It community allotment. This innovative project will utilise both sites to host inclusive ‘Plot to Plate’ workshops, combining gardening and cooking skills.

Weekly sessions will engage participants from Enterprise East Group’s employability and social inclusion programs, as well as the wider community. Attendees will learn the entire process of cultivating seasonal fruits and vegetables, from planting and tending to harvesting and maintenance. Once the produce is ready, participants will collaborate with chefs in their community café to master the art of preparing delicious and nutritious meals.

This initiative not only boosts individual skills but also sustains a cycle: the produce will be used in Café Cornell, with excess yield donated to the Saffron Walden Community fridge at the Jubilee Hub. This actively supports local families and reduces food waste.

The Tees Better Future Fund is proud to support Enterprise East Group’s visionary initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to fostering positive change and sustainable community development.

Samantha McReynolds, Founder of Enterprise East Group CIC commented, “Our Plot to Plate project will enable local people facing a variety of barriers to access unique learning experiences within our community café and allotment. It is a great pleasure for us to be able to partner with the local community allotment charity Dig-It, whose expertise and facilities will greatly enhance this project. We are very grateful to the Tees Better Future Fund for their generous support in making this possible.”

“The Tees Better Future Fund is elated to support The Enterprise East Group’s impactful vision for social change in Saffron Walden. This grant exemplifies our commitment to fostering sustainable community development. The community allotment at Cornell Court not only addresses immediate challenges but also embodies shared values, fostering skill development, community integration, and a positive ripple effect beyond its roots.” Commented Sally Powell Co-Chair of the Tees Better Future Fund.

Tees leads discussion with local MP about the future of family justice

Posted on 27 November 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Last week, Tees’ Family Law team invited Julie Marson, MP for Hertford and Stortford into the Tees Law offices to discuss the reform needed to support families using the family justice system. This was organised ahead of Resolution Awareness Week, which started this week.

On Monday 27 November, Resolution, the organisation of family lawyers committed to promoting a constructive approach to family issues, launched its Vision for Family Justice – a blueprint for the future family justice system – at a special parliamentary event.

As members of Resolution, Tees Family Law team were keen to give their local MP their perspectives on and experiences of supporting families going through divorce and family breakdown, and to highlight the work to make divorce less confrontational and the plans to shape the future of family justice creating a fair system that works for Tees’ clients.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Resolution, which was established by family lawyers who believed that a non-confrontational approach to family law issues would produce better outcomes for separating families and their children. Nowadays, Resolution’s members, including all of Tees’ Family Law team across six offices, encourage clients to consider non-court dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration, and now offer one lawyer, one couple legal advice.

Sally Powell, Partner of the Family Law team, said:

“We were really pleased that Julie Marson MP was able to spend some time with us on Friday to talk through some of the pressing family law issues, such as the rights of cohabitants and the difficulties users are facing in the family justice system. We talked about the unfair outcomes for cohabitants in relationship breakdown, often when children are involved, and also discussed the extreme delays that Julie’s constituents are facing, particularly through Chelmsford Family Court.

Julie noted our concerns and agreed to come back to us about her Party’s policy in relation to the rights of cohabitants and she agreed to meet with the Courts Minister, Mike Freer MP, to discuss the damaging delays that current court users, particularly of the Chelmsford Family Court, are having to endure.”

It’s so important that policymakers fully understand what’s needed so that we can shape the future of family justice to benefit families, giving access to early legal advice and avoiding delays and protracted court proceedings.

This was a great way for Tees to start the conversation with Julie Marson MP, and to give her insight into our work and the experiences of our clients. We hope this will encourage the changes needed to create a fairer family justice system for all.

Tees meets criteria for Customer Service Excellence once again

Posted on 15 November 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Tees has once again been re-certified and named as meeting the criteria for Customer Service Excellence (CSE) by the Centre for Assessment (CfA), on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

The assessment report provided to Tees this month (November 2023), pinpoints key strengths as ‘an organisation which very clearly understands the critical role that customer service plays in enabling it to meet its strategic objectives.’ Tees is visited annually by representatives of the CfA to review our practices and this year it has been revealed that we have an extremely good record of resolving the very few complaints that we do receive.

The report also recognises the significant work that goes into us re-achieving this status time and time again. It is clear with our growth strategy ahead of 2028, that we are determined to ensure our client journey is as friendly, easy and hassle-free as possible. We continually reinforce the message that clients are at the heart of everything we do and have worked hard to adapt processes to meet requirements to cater for our clients such as disability, deafness, illiteracy and mental health issues.

Customer Service Excellence is a national quality mark that seeks to recognise organisations that have a truly customer-focused culture and to promote continuous improvement. Certification to the Customer Service Excellence standard is achieved through a rigorous assessment process and an on-site visit to establish whether an organisation meets the scheme’s requirements.

Group Managing Director, Ashton Hunt, said:

“It’s wonderful to be re-certified for Customer Service Excellence again this year. It recognises the hard work of all our colleagues here at Tees to ensure we hit the criteria needed, but ultimately, it’s all about our mantra of depth being in all we do. We are committed to ensuring that all of our clients feel valued and supported by our knowledgeable and highly experienced solicitors and advisers and so it is a real honour to once again be recognised for our efforts.”

The new report states that it ‘was clear from the assessment process that, despite continual change, and ever-increasing competition within the legal profession, Stanley Tee LLP, comfortably re-achieved the high standards necessary to be accredited against the Customer Service Excellence Standard.’

Tees new Senior Wealth Planner now settled and seeing clients

Posted on 14 November 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Tees Financial Ltd has recently welcomed Senior Wealth Planner David Blackman, a role with a key focus on working with the farming community – a first for the firm.

Tees has a long history of working with farming families, going back 100 years, but before now, we’ve not had a senior financial adviser on board who specialises in this area.

With over 32 years of experience in financial services, David is passionate about helping all clients through life events, with a real interest in planning tax efficiency for agricultural businesses and owners. Tees’ financial advisers work with clients to help them pass on their farm and land assets to the next generation in a well-planned and tax-efficient way. This includes taking advantage of Inheritance Tax reliefs (IHT), Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

Part of David’s role is to help farming businesses make any necessary adjustments in investment activities and to encourage the use of Trusts and other ownership structures to ensure assets can be passed on tax-efficiently.

David is looking forward to advising more clients and said “It’s important that farming families think about putting appropriate plans in place. It can all be confusing with so many options out there, so I’m here to make sense of it all for our clients and advise on the best ways to protect assets and plan for the future. This includes help on pension and retirements too.”

David has a breadth of experience in providing finance advice to the rural community and has joined Tees after previously working for NFU Mutual – a Farmers’ Union insurance composite, so he fully understands the needs and complexities involved in agricultural land ownership and business. As a Chartered Financial Planner and a Chartered Associate of the London Institute of Banking and Finance, David is also able to advise on protecting family wealth and ensuring financial stability in the future.

“I am passionate about helping clients to achieve their goals and it’s so important to me to grow relationships with my clients by regularly reviewing financial plans, instead of just being very transactional. That’s what I love about the job.”

Our specialist financial advisers are based in several sites including Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, but can help anyone in the UK.

If you would like to find out more about our services or speak to David directly, call our team on 080o 015 1165.

Tees Financial Academy marks 2nd year with 2 new starters

Posted on 14 November 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Last year, Tees Financial launched a new adviser academy, with an aspiration to train Financial Advisers who are new to the industry. Last August the team welcomed its very first two participants and now, a year on, we welcome two additional staff members.

The Academy is structured around a two-year apprenticeship programme which combines studying for the CII’s Diploma in Financial Advice, as well as hands on experience as a financial adviser.

New starters Ben Parkhurst and Megan Johns will be studying for their Level 4 Financial Adviser exams at the same time as shadowing the firm’s highly experienced financial advisers. The programme promises to provide Academy members with key objectives to take away from every stage and gives experience across the whole firm.

James Appleby, Managing Director of Tees Financial Ltd, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming two additional participants to our Academy and are so proud to continue on our promise to harness and invest in the future of up-and-coming talent for financial advice.”

Ben Parkhurst from Chelmsford didn’t have a financial background before joining the Academy but did have friends who were in the industry and who had told him he could be a great fit. He originally planned on pursuing a career in engineering, “I completed an apprenticeship to become a mechanic before I came to Tees. I thought I wanted to go further in engineering, but then I changed direction and went into logistics. It was here that I realised I love client work, problem solving and talking to people.”

Ben came across Tees this summer and decided to apply for the Academy once he saw the volunteering and charity work the company get involved in, because it aligned with his personal ambitions. He plans on studying further to Level 6 once he has completed his Level 4 exams.

Another of our latest recruits Megan Johns who hails from the Bishop’s Stortford area, where the Tees headquarters are based, joined in August this year and has already completed her first exam on the Level 4 course. “At first it felt daunting to study and work at the same time, but I’m actually really enjoying it and have found it easier in a way because I get real experience in the office alongside one study day a week.”

Megan joined Tees originally as an admin adviser and although she liked the job, she became interested in The Academy at Tees Financial Ltd, once she learnt you don’t need any particular A Levels to be accepted and do well in the role. She said “I’m from the local area so I always knew about Tees but didn’t necessarily know too much about the financial side of the business until I joined. It really interests me, and I hope to progress to become a long-term member of the team once I pass all my exams!”

The Level 4 programme consists of six exams split across two years at the end of which, along with the practical work shadowing experienced advisers in the office, provides Academy members with the qualifications, knowledge and experience to take up a role as a financial adviser at the end of the term. There is also an option to continue studying to become a chartered adviser. The opportunity is open to anyone who in the words of Megan, is “hard working, willing to learn and a people person.”

The exams cover off topics such as financial services, regulation and ethics, investment principles and risk, personal taxation and financial planning in practice. The last exam comprises a written essay style format.

Last August, Tees welcomed Percy Sam – an Industrial Design graduate and Guy Pearson, who previously studied Exercise, Nutrition and Health at Nottingham Trent University.

The Academy has been a change in direction for Guy who previously trained as a personal trainer before the global pandemic. He recalls, “I joined a large advisory firm after leaving personal training, but felt I lacked support and the tools I needed to study for my Financial Adviser exams, but at Tees I have been able to get on-the-job experience as well as lots of time to learn from experienced team members.”

Both Percy and Guy are just a year away from becoming fully qualified and are advocates for others joining the Academy. Percy admitted, “The Academy wasn’t even on my radar, and I knew nothing about financial advising before joining Tees!”

“The Academy at Tees Financial Ltd offers an opportunity to become a qualified Financial Adviser in two years,” says James Appleby. “We’re looking for candidates with the right attitude and aptitude, regardless of past experience.”

The Academy at Tees Financial Ltd is committed to the rolling programme and aims to continue to recruit up to two new recruits each year. This forms part of Tees Financial Ltd’s longer-term growth strategy.

If you would like to find out more about our services or speak to a Tees financial adviser directly, call our team on 0808 159 7432, or fill out our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.

Tees is a trading name of Tees Financial Limited which is regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered number 211314. Tees Financial Limited is registered in England and Wales. Registered number 4342506.

Tees demonstrates support for Essex and Cambridgeshire businesses with the appointment of two new Commercial partners

Posted on 13 October 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Leading law firm Tees has demonstrated its commitment to increasing its ability to provide a wider range of pragmatic legal advice to more businesses in the region with the appointments of Claire Powell, a partner in Company and Commercial based in Chelmsford and Brentwood and Sarah Coates as Partner and Head of Commercial Property based in Cambridge and providing support across the region. Both have more than 20 years of experience and joined Tees in September.

Claire is a Corporate and Commercial expert, working on acquisitions and disposals, restructuring, mergers and demergers, joint ventures and all types of commercial contracts. She was previously a partner in the firm of Thompson Smith and Puxon and thrives when working with businesses that need sensible, pragmatic and decisive advice. She also specialises in advising GP practices, care homes and dentists.

Sarah has expertise in residential development and development finance work, as well as in assisting educational establishments and companies in the tech/life science sphere with their wide-ranging property needs. Sarah also has a passion for supporting charitable and social enterprise initiatives in Cambridge, most notably acting as Chair of Trustees for the Cambridge Cyrenians, a charity supporting those at risk of homelessness in and around Cambridge. She has practised in Cambridge for 17 years and previously worked for International law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper.

Commenting on her appointment, Claire said: “I’m delighted to join this leading regional law firm and be part of Tees’ ambitious plans to reshape the legal landscape for Essex businesses. Essex is thriving with a multitude of successful businesses serving London and the world but for too long the provision of legal services has been lacking. Tees is committed to changing that and leading the way in doing business responsibly.”

Catherine Mowat, Senior Partner, stressed the significance of these new appointments: “We are delighted to welcome Claire and Sarah into the Tees’ partnership. We have identified that businesses in Essex are underserved by the current legal offering. By appointing two senior and experienced specialists, we are growing our Commercial teams and expanding our offering in line with our 2028 Strategic Growth Plan. Our aim is to better serve the local business communities in all the areas we work and these appointments will help us do just that.”

Tees Law now boasts six Top Tier practice areas in Legal 500

Posted on 6 October 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

Tees Law enjoyed widespread success in this year’s Legal 500 directory, adding Private Client – Personal tax, trusts and probate in Essex to the highest Top Tier ranking.

Ian Johnston, Partner and lead of the Private Client team in Tees’ Essex based offices of Chelmsford, Brentwood and Saffron Walden, moved up the rankings becoming a Next Generation Partner. One client commented, “Ian Johnston is a fine example of the ability of the firm to deliver the human approach to what can be very serious discussions.”

The Personal tax, trusts and probate team is described as having an “outstanding reputation for quality” and as being “consummately professional, and yet provide a service which feels warm, friendly and personal. All considerations are covered and delivered in an understandable yet thorough manner.”

In total, 27 different Tees Law practice areas were ranked in the latest update of the world’s leading directory of Law Firms.

Tees Law was delighted to see a total of 8 Leading Individuals, 5 Next Generation Partners and 7 Rising Stars. A staggering 46 of the firm’s solicitors have been listed as Recommended Lawyers with an increase of 16 this year.

Tees Law is a major regional law firm with offices in Bishop’s Stortford, Cambridge, Royston, Saffron Walden, Brentwood and Chelmsford. As part of the local community for over a century, Tees Law has supported clients from generation to generation.

The recurring theme throughout the client testimonials published this year highlights the firm’s focus on the client’s needs. An Essex Commercial Property client stated, “The team are great to work with. They all put each case in such high regard. All members of the team are professional and hold your best interest as a client highly.”

Another client praised “A first class firm with many talented individuals. Their client focus, commerciality and friendliness has been outstanding.”

Group Managing Director at Tees Law, Ashton Hunt, commented: “Once again the success and dedication of our teams and individuals shines through in the Legal 500 rankings. I am delighted to see so many practice areas receiving accolades and to have increased our number of Tier 1 rankings. At Tees, we always strive to be renowned experts and provide personal and commercially tailored advice to our clients.”

Catherine Mowat, Senior Partner at Tees Law, who was this year named in the Hall of Fame, added: “This year’s results highlight the diligence and commitment of our highly skilled teams. It is an honour to be named in the Hall of Fame and I would like to thank all of our clients and referrers for their wonderful feedback.”

Tees Better Future Fund grant award to Sports Connections Foundation (SCF)

Posted on 31 August 202329 March 2025 by Sarah O'Sullivan

In 2023, our Tees Better Future Fund granted Sports Connections Foundation (SCF) £5,000 to help fund their project, which supports the good health & well-being of children and young people through sport and physical activity.

SCF embarked on an ambitious summer sports programme for primary school-aged children. Using Great Berry Primary School in Basildon as a base, SCF organised multiple sports sessions (involving hundreds of children), with an emphasis on football. This was delivered by former professional footballer and manager, Paul Brush. SCF’s unique sporting offer is to work with a variety of professional athletes to develop young sporting leaders in communities. SCF recognises that many families are unable to send their children to sports camps during the summer, but initiatives such as ‘Inspire Through Sport’ make this possible.

Amongst other activities, SCF delivered their infamous ‘Pro Kick Challenge’ for the whole school. To complete the challenge, the children attended a session where SCF founder and former professional footballer, Junior McDougald, spoke about the importance of community and supporting each other and children across the world. The children then had lots of fun taking penalty kicks in the inflatable goals, where their shot speed was recorded. The cheers from the children in the school hall were deafening – even the teachers joined in, much to the amusement and joy of the children!

The project promoted children participating in healthy activities and having fun, whilst also helping them to learn the importance of supporting each other and the community around them. The project also improved the children’s confidence and self-esteem, whilst helping them to develop invaluable leadership skills and build their resilience. The children enjoyed being taught by inspirational, famous sportspeople who are highly qualified in their field. One of the project’s main values and aims is total inclusivity, and observers at the school told SCF that children who didn’t normally take an interest in sports thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the project.

Charlie Neal, a member of the Tees Community Involvement Development Board, attended one of the ‘Inspire Through Sport’ sessions and said, ‘It was an honour to see first-hand just how amazing the work is that SCF carries out in our local communities and how valuable it is for the children involved. Led by Paul Brush, the sports camp provided a fun, yet educational platform for the children to develop both their footballing and communication skills further. We are proud to have supported such a crucial project through the Better Future Fund and we look forward to backing similar initiatives that help our local communities in the future.’

Junior McDougald, Founder of Sports Connections Foundation said, ‘We are very grateful to the ‘Tees better Future Fund’, it enabled us to deliver fantastic sporting and educational outcomes for hundreds of children in Basildon. As a children’s charity, we utilise professional sportspeople and young community ambassadors to help inspire the next set of sporting leaders in the community. It was amazing to see so many happy children at our summer camp at Great Berry Primary School this year.’

Damien Pye, Great Berry Headteacher said ‘SCF have delivered the pro kick challenge to over 420 children from 4 years to 11 in the Tees Better Future Fund project, it didn’t matter whether they were into sports they all had a great time. I could hear the loud cheering and them supporting each other from my office all day. It’s a brilliant inclusive activity that teaches the children so many important life values using sport as an inspirational tool.’

A great Berry Pupil said, ‘I loved taking part in the pro kick challenge, it was great fun, It also taught us about supporting each other and what we can do for other children in poorer places around the world’.

Sports Connections Foundation is a charity, that uses the positive power of sport to engage, motivate, and inspire children & young people who are disadvantaged, hard to reach or at risk.’

Sports Connection Foundation’s current programmes are:

Inspire Through Sport – provides sport-inspired youth work and sports camps, coaching and mentoring for children and young people
ProKick Schools Challenge – provides primary schools with an inspirational football-related sponsored activity
Inspire Through Sport International – provides funding and vital educational resources to an impoverished orphanage and a nursery in Burkina Faso, Africa
Sporting Wishes – special sporting memories visiting flagship sporting events for children with life-limiting conditions.