Argyle Community Trust
ARGYLE Community Trust is now into its eighth year of delivering the Kicks project to socially deprived estates and neighbourhoods in Plymouth.
Working in partnership with the Premier League Charitable Fund, the sessions focus on engaging young people with positive activities that help to deter anti-social behaviour and improve personal aspirations.
Matt Anderson joined the Kicks programme as a reluctant youngster, who was struggling with unemployment, low academic achievements and a lack of motivation that saw him slip into petty crime in his area.
His inspirational story is told by Argyle Community Trust Social Inclusion Manager Dwain Morgan.
“Matt Anderson was referred to us by Affinity Sutton Housing Ward,” said Dwain. “He was a young man who had been involved in petty crime and lived in an area of social deprivation.
“He was looking for an opportunity in football and he started as a participant on the Kicks programme. Matt made terrific progress and we took him forward as a volunteer coach with the Trust.
“Matt committed over 40 hours of voluntary contributions and now works as a paid employee of the Trust. He has successfully obtained a Level 1 Football Coaching qualification and passed the First Aid course.
“Alongside his work with the Trust, Matt is also volunteering at the Tamar View Youth Club in Plymouth, giving back to the community and helping to raise the aspirations of young people in his area.
“Matt has become an exceptional role model for all participants on the Kicks programme. He is an excellent mentor and we are all very proud of his success.”
