The Yorkshire Sport Foundation is an Active Partnership - a Lottery-funded charity supporting organisations across the nine districts of South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
The Foundation believes in the power of sport and physical activity to change people’s lives. Its vision is to create a vibrant, healthy and prosperous Yorkshire through sport, supporting the work of local, regional and national organisations.
Rudro Sen, Project Manager for Levelling the Playing Field, said: “We are delighted to be involved with such a prestigious organisation. Yorkshire Sport Foundation already partners with some amazing organisations working with young people from BAME communities – through this partnership we hope to build on and support their exceptional work in South Yorkshire.”
Kathryn Mudge, Development Manager at the Yorkshire Sport Foundation, joined the organisation in March 2013 having worked within Sport for Development for six years. Kathryn is passionate about developing sporting opportunities for children and young people, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. She discussed the Foundation's involvement with the Level the Playing Field project.
LtPF: Why are you involved with Levelling the Playing Field?
KM: “We want to raise awareness of the issues within our criminal justice system and within our communities. We want to highlight the need for resources locally to support community initiatives which are able to work together to tackle these issues.
“We are passionate about working to provide equal opportunities to everyone. We also see the power the sport has to change lives, unite communities and create change.”
LtPF: What are some of the current problems which need to be addressed?
KM: “The attitudes of institutions, society and systems within Britain, which appear to stereotype young people from certain communities.
“There is also a lack of opportunities for young people, and in particular young people from BAME backgrounds.”
LtPF: What can be done to attack and mitigate these problems?
KM: “There needs to be sustained investment into local initiatives and organisations who are supporting young people to improve their opportunities.
“Investment is needed in long-term mentoring, which supports young people for a sustained period of time, rather than in short ‘programme-based’ solutions.
“We also need to involve young people in design and development of programmes to ensure they are meeting the real needs of the very people we need to reach.”
LtPF: What work you have done so far that you believe will help you in this project?
KM: “We have been working to understand what provision looks like across Sheffield and Rotherham. I am fortunate to have worked alongside some fantastic colleagues and organisations who have years of expertise and experience of delivery high quality youth and mentoring provision.
“We have been discussing with these providers the important ingredients and processes that need to be in place to make the project effective.”
LtPF: What are your goals when it comes to your involvement with the LtPF project?
KM: “To ensure high quality, community support for young people, which meets needs and is young person-led.
“We also want to showcase the fantastic provision already in place in Sheffield and Rotherham, and highlight and learn from the community leaders already excelling in providing services for young people.”