Kids Initiative and Community Support

The Kids Initiative are continuing to support the Shine Project

Shine Project is a Dorset charity committed to supporting young people, aged 11 – 15, improve their physical and mental health. The Shine Project partners with schools, youth clubs and other charities to offer a choice of well-being courses.

Richard and James, standing left in the back row with the boys from St. Edwards and the Shine staff

The main courses for schools are split into 2. The Shine Course has been developed for those that identify as female/non-binary whilst the Thrive Course is for those identifying as male/non-binary.

These early intervention, 7-8 week, courses consist of small groups exploring subjects closely related to their physical and mental health. In addition to participating in the delivery of the course, the KI has agreed to contribute £1,000 sponsorship per term for a course hosted in a Poole school.

The latest Thrive program is being delivered at St. Edwards school in Canford Heath and was attended by Poole Town FC and KI director Richard Gale and first team coach James Ellis. James was able to give the attendees good advice and encouragement about the benefits of healthy eating and exercise before leading some lively football skills training, in a small classroom, which got everybody moving.

The Shine Project courses have proved to be extremely popular and the charity has now worked with 23 schools locally. The Kids Initiative is keen to continue to support these sessions, especially for schools in the Poole area, many of whom it already helps through its Schools Program.

For more information about The Shine Project visit

https://www.shineproject.org.uk/about