The Golf Foundation is reporting positive feedback from participants and partners after it took part in a summer initiative that helped reduce anti-social behaviour, boosted confidence and prevented social isolation for young people in Birmingham.
Part of the government’s new nationwide Holiday Activities and Food Programme, ‘Bring it on Brum!‘ was the biggest scheme of its kind in the country, with over over 200 organisations providing holiday activities across the city, ranging from schools, leisure centres, youth centres and community groups.
The Golf Foundation team was welcomed to the feedback conference for Bring it on Brum this week, after golf proved to be a hit with youngsters from different backgrounds across Birmingham this summer.
Conference feedback included highly positive views from parents about Bring it on Brum in Birmingham. In a survey, 95% of parents who were asked said they would very likely to send their children to Bring it on Brum (BoB) if it takes place in 2022; 81.3% thought that BoB prevented social isolation of their youngsters; 76% believed the scheme boosted confidence, while 73% thought that BoB kept young people clear of antisocial behaviour in the holidays.
The feedback meeting was held at Edgbaston cricket ground, a stone’s throw from Cannon Hill Park where Golf Foundation RDOs Tom Sparks and Paul Aitkens ran an action-packed golf festival for 90 youngsters from all backgrounds who had been introduced to the sport over the summer through the programme.
Sparks said: “This reflection event at Edgbaston really brought home the impact that the broader Holiday Activity & Food programme has had on so many families in Birmingham. We were delighted to see how valued golf has been as one of the core sporting activities, supporting this city-wide effort to keep kids active, healthy and happy.
“It was great to bring golf to these youngsters through the training of volunteers from 16 organisations and also at the wonderful festival in Cannon Hill Park. Watching our golf session on screen as a key part of a city community video suggests we are finding new ways to reach children from all cultures through golf. This has to be something to build on.”
Backed by the R&A, the Golf Foundation is pleased that its HSBC Golf Roots programme has played a part in a positive city programme, something it is working to replicate elsewhere with its partners.
Sparks added: “Thanks to support from The R&A, we are able to offer this golf experience to a whole new audience of young people in Birmingham with our partner StreetGames. A huge thanks also to the volunteers and our partners from the city council and finally all the Birmingham youngsters and their community groups who tried golf with a smile and a laugh, children who help to make our work as a charity so worthwhile.”